Assignment Three:

After watching the documentary answer two of the following questions:

1.  The intake of Refugees into the US has decreased dramatically since 9-11.  Do you think it is a good policy to take in less refugees?  Why or Why not?

2.  How were Americans portrayed in the film?  Do you think it was a fair portrayal?

3.  What kind of assistance did the refugees receive once they arrived in America?  What additional assistance do you think was needed?

4.  What were the largest hurdles for the "Lost Boys" that Americans perhaps take for granted?

5.  Compare the previous lives of the "Lost Boys" and their struggle to assimilate in America.  Are their lives better or worse, and in what ways?

6.  Is America really the "Land of Plenty"?

To receive full credit for this assignment you will need to post answers to 2 of these questions AND comment on 2 other posts. (30 points) Please remember to post at the bottom of the page.

Question #3

When the refugees arrived in America, they were helped in a few ways. First, they were set up with places to live. They kept them together for the most part so they would feel a little more secure in this foreign land. They also payed four months rent to give them time to find jobs and help them with their English. I think they couldve helped more with them getting into shcools because earning money wasn't the only thing they wanted to do in America. Also, i think they should've helped out with financial issues. Many of them made mistakes, like paying the rent and not getting the receipt, simply because this was all unfamiliar.

I think that mistakes such as the incident with the receipt are going to be inevitable if someone moves from one culture to another. I don't think that there is any amount of training or instruction that would fully prepare anyone for such intricacies of a new set of laws.

--Dane

I aggree with Dane, The refugees were givin all they need. There are ineveitable things that will happen, just like when we were kids, well all made mistakes. The refugees should learn mainlyby themselves.

-Brian

Question #4

One of the largest hurdles they had to face was schooling. We always take it for granted that were able to attend schools without a problem, the "Lost Boys" on the other hand, are less fortunate and faced many obstacles trying to attend a school. Another thing we take for granted is our home. We never think about what it costs to live in a house and everything that comes with it because our parents pay for it. The "Lost Boys" are our age and have to do it all on their own. AND they are in a foreign country out of their comfort zone.

I agree that the largest hurdle that the Lost Boys had to face was getting into a school and receiving a diploma, particularly with the issues concerning their age/birth certificates.

--Dane

I agree and disagree. I think schooling was a main issue to overcome, but i think money(including paying rent and eating) was the main issue for the lost boys.

*MacKenzie*

I agree, the "Lost Boys" faced getting a good education at the same time as working a 6 to 8 hour job. They had to adapt to new friends and a new way of life in American schools.

--Zak

I also agree that the lost boys biggest struggle was their educations.  They received little to no help or advice on how to get into school and get an education. 

Nick W

This is so true because we think of schooling as a hassle and boring but the Lost Boys think of it as something they want to accomplish and do. For them it's like an exciting experience that they have yet to achieve, like us with rollercoasters.

~Candice~

-PAIGE

Question #2

In my opinion the americans in the film were portrayed in three different ways, dpending on the specific person. Many of the people seemed extremely concerned with political correctness. As I viewed the movie I could feel these people stumbling over their own words. Many of the others seemed genuinely as at ease with the Lost Boys as with anyone else, however. The third, and least common, way that the americans were portrayed was as somewhat hypocritical-- such as the scene where the christian group as giving furniture to the Lost Boys. The woman talking to the Lost Boys was obviously evading questions about aiding them acquire an education.

All in all, I think that it was a fair portrayal of people in america.

I also believe that the americans were portrayed fairly. The lost boys seen americans for who they really were. We dont seem to notice how people are until someon who is not used to it points it out to us.

*MacKenzie*

I also think that the americans were protrayed pretty fair in the video. I mean i already knew that there people like they explained. Like the people that put the gun to his head, i mean come on people our isn't innocent like they everyone thinks it is. THere are really bad people out there unfortunately.

~Jessica~

Question #1

I don't think it is a "good policy" to take in fewer refugees, simply because of the humanitarian implications of doing so. It doesn't seem ethcal to refuse valid refugees simply because of a quota.

I agree. I do think that is very hypocritical of them to stop taking in refugees for that reason. Other countries, with LESS resources than the US, take in more refugees than we do. It should be the other way around.

-PAIGE

I dissaggree. "Terrorists" are much smarter than we think. I aggree there are MANY lagitimate refugees, however there will always be that few that are trying to get a free ride to kill us. The United States government is just trying to protect us.-Brian

--Dane

 Question#3

The refugees were helped in many ways when they FIRST got there. They helped them find a place to live, they did place them with each other so they wouldn't feel totally alone. They gave them 4 months for rent, and some money for food. I guess you could say they helped them with an education. Even thought many of them didnt get to go to school because they told them they were to old. So if they really wanted to go to school they had t to fight for it. I do believe that they could have helped them try and get a job, maybe after the 4 months for paying they could maybe pay for half instead of stopping completely. I also think they should have showed them how to use things that were important more than what they did.

Question#4

There are many things that we take for granted that were yes really hard for the lost boys to do. A big one was education, usually we do not really want to go to school cause they think its really boring and they think that they don't need to know many of the things they teach us. That was basically the only reason why they wanted to come to the United States. Talking in english was another big thing we take fro granted that the lost boys couldn't really do. Even simple things like turning on a stove or taking a drivers license. Those are just a few of the things that we take for granted that the lost boys could barely do.

 I agree with what Jessica said. Many of the things that the Lost Boys encountered down the road, like taking a drivers license test, we take for granted. And I'm guessing that the people who helped the refugees took these things for granted too, becuase they forget to mention them.

Nick K.

  I agree with Jessica.  The lost boys were in a way just thrown into a new world.  Things like driving and cooking come easy to us and the lost boys struggled to adapt to some of these things. 

Nick W

 ~Jessica~

Question # 2

All peoplle had different reactions, thoughts and oppinions about "Lost boys", some people stared at them because they are "too black" , another tried to be polite and to explain some new things , but, in my opinion, only few people REALY tried to help them, like that woman, that gave them a furniture. I think most people helped them and try to be poite not because they really worried about this guyes, but because they had to be polite with them, it is like a normal part of American behaiviour. It's just polite. I can't say, that it's wrong, people realy had helped them a lot, and I think, that, at least, like a foreing I can agree, that it's a fair portrayal.

 I definantly agree with the part where it's part of American culture to be "nice", even if they felt awkward when talking to them. -Nick K.

Question # 5

It's very difficult to say, is their life better or worse now, becuse, the life in Sudan is sure very difficult, they haven't good living conditions, they can't go to school, they haven't got money, they live in a refugee camp; here, in America, they have place to live, an ability to earn money, to go to school, but they are in new country, everything around is so new and unusual, their families are so far away, and now they try to begin new life, to take care about people, that left in Sudan.  They have to learn new language, new culture, new way of life. I think, that life in America is emotionally much more difficult, than in Sudan, but here they have so many opportunities to devrlop themselves, to get an education, to earn money, to help people in Sudan, and I think, the main plus of the lifing in ameria is that now they are safe.

-IRINA

I some what agree but if they were living in refugee camps then wouldnt you have to agree that living here in the UNited Staes is a better way to be living?

-ashley

-Question #4-

                        The Largest "hurdles" for the Lost Boys were basic survival skills. When they came to america they had to survive on their own. They had help from other people, but they had so many things that needed to be done. They needed to work for money,try to get an education, pay the rent, make sure everyone is fed, and be able to help their country. I think that if they didn't have to help their people back in Sudan, they might of been okay. It is difficult to have so much responsiblity for so many people.Money was probably the main issue they had to overcome.

I agree. I don't think that was very fair of the families back in Sudan to put so much pressure on them to send money. They were having a hard time too, and just because they were living in the US now, doesn't mean they were millionaires.

-PAIGE

-Question #6-

                       I do no believe that america is the "land of plenty" anymore. With more people coming to america, there is less and less resources. Everything is decreasing.So many people take so many things for granted.We don't seem to realize that everything we have right now will not always be there. There is not enought money because people are greedy. No one is happy with what they have. People always want more. I think it is ridiculous. Being greedy is causing America to lose the meaning of "land of plenty."

I agree with everything that MacKenzie is saying for this question. I didn't really think about that until i read her answer. People need to stop acting like they have nothing and that they need more and more when many others don't have barely anything.

~Jessica~

I agree, America truly used to be the land of plenty, but now is degrading in its meaning and is becoming a country that thinks of itself as higher among other countries. Many Americans need to stop being greedy and get to know the true meaning of their style of life.

--Zak

*MacKenzie*

 -Question#2

In the film I thought that only some American personalities were portrayed in the film. One was the extremely religious American which we saw about half way through the movie. Another personality that I remember was the factory workers from when they went out to lunch with one of the lost boys. I do not think that this was a far portrayal because there are so many different types of people living in the United States with different personalities. I think that the movie only showed a fraction of these personalities.

Question #4

Some of the larger hurtles that the lost boys had to make was first school. Most Americans take going and completing school for granted. Another thing that the lost boys had a hard time with was just getting used to the culture in the United States and how it’s  faster and runs on schedules all the time.

I do agree that survival  being the main thing to over come. I thought that the hardest thing for them was getting used to all the schedules and learning different ways things work like paying the rent and getting a divers license.

I agree that the lost boys were helped a lot when they got here with living conditions and learning the culture.

-Jake

I agree that they had a hard time ajusting to the new ways of life but what were some of the things that they kept the same about their life? Suah as they knew when was a good time to get a hold of family and they knew that they wanted to bring the rest of their family back here the United States.

-Ashley

ashley

Question 5&6

 I believe that the boys lives were better here in the United States as a whole.  To them they think it is alot harder for them to ajust to the American culture.  The life it self that they got to lead for them selves was a great one they had plenty of oppertunities to do what they wanted with their life.  They both knew that once they entered the United Staes that they could do with thier life waht they wanted.  Any one who would want to come here can have the chance to do what they want with their own life.

Question 3:

The refugees received at most a few months of financial support and resources to religious organizations and organizations of minority, such as a Christian church or a monthly refugee meeting. Refugees of Darfur, such as the "Lost Boys" did not receive as much support when retetreating to the United States as they shoud have. In my opinion the refugees should have been given 8 months of prepaid rent, 8 months of ration, aswell as ongoing support until they become a citizen of the U.S. or crisis halts in their country of origin. Many of the refugees had schooling and also worked jobs that were 6 to 8 hours shifts, this was all too much for them to handle in my opinion.

Question 6:

America or "the United States" is the land of plenty for different people in different situations.  This means, a refugee that comes from a developing country may view this as the land of plenty from their stance when not present here, but they may differ their views when actually arriving to the United States. Refugees and other foreigners that come to the United States are used to their own way of life and culture and therefore America is new to them. The "Lost Boys" look at America as the land of plenty compared to their home in Darfur, but there is a downside to this, they are not with their family or friends and have to adapt to a new way of life. Although the Lost Boys had many hardships in the U.S., it was much better compared to their life in Darfur and the dangers that they faced.

--Zak

Question #1

Whether or not taking in less refugees is "good" or not depends on what group your talking about. For the United States, taking in less refugees is easier economically (we don't have to support them) and we basically don't have to worry about them. But from the refugees point of view, this is a terrible disastor! They depend on us giving them asylum to lead productive lives. So when we say a policy is "good" or not, we must look at how it will affect everyone, directly or inderictly. In the case of a reduction in the amount of refugees the U.S. takes in, it's economically easier not supporting all those refugees, but it takes away from the better life refugees could live in the U.S. then say the next country that could grant them asylum.

 Question #2

The Americans were portrayed in the film as they actually are. Whether or not we like this portrayal, doesn't matter: it's still "fair". This might be a reality check of how we treat and look at refugees. This movie should motivate people to realize everything the refugees need to know before they enter our country. They need to know about how little time they will have, how they will be working everyday to support themselves.

-Nick K.

 Question 6:

The United States is far overated: Not all Americans are Rich, good looking, or perfect. America is not the "land of plenty" There are more people in poverty than not. People have a horrible vision of the United States untill they get there. That is really dissapointing, because people come here thinking that they will be ritch. In reality, they end up having a harder time than in thier previous country. This is not to say that America is bad, only that the United States isnt all chopped up to what people say it is.

Question 2:

I believe that Americans were portrayed very well in the film. The film showed that not all Americans were "nice" but not all were "nasty". The United States has a good mix and the film showed that all Americans arent bad. It also showed a bias that most Americans were Christian. I can understand this because the film is sponsered by a Christian orginazation, however people need to realize that not all Americans are Christians.

-Brian

I dont think it is a good policy.  We are the the land of 2nd chances and not to let over some refugees that what to come to a completely different culture to learn and to better thier lives just because we reach a limit that is set for us.

I agree,  we shouldn't turn away anybody that wants to come into our country unless they pose a direct threat.  Technically, we're all immigrants, so why shouldn't others get the same chance?

-nicole

Question 6:

I think that we americans have lost the meaning of "land of plenty."  We think that just because we have the means of getting something we get it.  I think that people have caused us to lose our sence of identity.  People get greedy and want more and more and we dont have more.

-Russell

I agree with russell because americans are greedy and when they want something they have to it at that moment.  Also i don't think we are realizing we are running down on sources until its gone such as we take

Question #1

I think its a good policy to take in less refugees because we are over populating the United States and the jobs they’re taking could belong to other Americans.  Also more and more people can hear about programs that take in refugees then they would want to come.  That would bring more people over here and hoping to start a new life.

Question #6

I don’t think America is the “Land of Plenty” because we are using up valuable resources such as farm land for building houses and other developments.  Also United States is becoming over crowded and one day we could become a nation such as China with a very high population.    

- Casey 

I agree with Casey. America was once the "Land of Plenty" when people from other countries came into the U.S. for the many job opportunities and the "plentiful lands" in which we did have. Now though, I don't think we should be considered the "Land of Plenty" anymore because of the larger and growing population (like Casey said), money loss, too many building developments taking over farm and agricultural land, and the amount of unemployment that we now have.

~Candice~

 #3

        When the lost boys first got to America they were helped in several ways.  First they were given a home to live in, and they lived with there friends so that they weren't lonely. Also there rent for the first few months was paid off.  Then organizations helped them learn to cook, and do other things around the house.  They had to find there own jobs, but they were helped out somewhat to get there jobs.  But as much as all of these things helped them out, there was so much more that they needed.  The main goal of the lost boys was education, they didnt just want to come to the U.S. to work, they wanted to learn.  The organizations that helped the lost boys should have focused on their educations more than there jobs.  Also they needed to be taught a little more about our society than they were.  The one lost boy paid many tickets and fines for driving without a license and not really knowing what he was doing on the road, but how was he supposed to know what he was doing wrong when he was never taught anything about driving. 

    i totally agree with what nick said we didnt give the boys the right things. We helped them in finding jobs and stuff but the boys never new anything about our society and so on and no one taught them how to do anything like drive and that sort of thing. And i also agree with nick in the fact that the boys really wanted to learn an skill and then get to colledge  and get a degree of some kind then go help those back home. And i think it was just to hard for them to do that.

-collin-

#4

       The lost boys biggest struggle was schooling.  Their biggest ambition was to go to school and learn with Americans, but that dream of theres was never really satisfied.  Nobody helped them get into school or taught them school work.  The only boys that got into school, did it on there own without the help of refugee organizations. 

Nick W

 #1. I think that it was a good idea to decrease the intake of refugees into America after 9/11 because so many people lost their jobs because of this event and so many people lost money so they needed to find more jobs so they can make more money and support themselves and their families. If we had kept on letting refugees come into the country after that then we would lose so many jobs to them and alot of the people need those jobs.

#6. My thoughts about this question are yes and no. In so many ways the answer is yes because back when alot of immigrants came to our country it was thought to be the land of plenty because of the plentiful lands and agriculture we had going on at the time and people in other countries still think that today because of the more freedom we have so they would rather be in the United States than in their country. Also, the answer is no because now their is not enough of anything for the country. Not enough food or money or jobs.

~candice~

 #3.  When the refugees came to the US, they recieved help in finding a job, rent paid for their apartment for one month.  The organization the was helping them taught them a little about our culture and traditions but not much, for the most part the Lost Boys were on their own.  One of the main reasons the Lost Boys came to the US was to get a good education so that they could go back to their country and make changes, but most of them just worked and didn't recieve that opportunity. 

#6. I think that sometimes here in the US we forget how blessed we are, there are so many people and countries that have so little and are going through such hard times.   So, in answer to your question, no, I don't think we're THE land of plenty, but i do think we are A land of plenty.  I don't think we have better opportunities than all other coutries, but compared to most countries, we have nothing to complaining about.

-nicole v.

 I think that this is a really good point in the fact that shes right its hard to come here and start new when you have nothing to begin with. But this country certainly has plenty in it to offer but you just need the right start to take it. Also we do have plenty of things in this country that we take advantage of like water, food, cars, electricity ext. and we should complain when others don't have near the stuff we have.

-collin-

 #6. Do i think america is the land of the plenty? Yes i do think it is the land of the plenty but inorder for it to be the land of the plenty you need to have the right oppurtunitys to take the plenty thats out there. what i mean is that you have to have money to support your self in there case and they also need a good education to get anywhere or they cant get a good job and take the adavantage of what america has to offer. i also think that america isnt the land of the plenty it used to. Back in the 1800's people from Europe could come start new lives and businesses and really had no exspenses. But today the lost boys had to buy car insurance pay rent work and go to school. So i also believe if you dont have support in the financial aid then america isn't really the land of the plenty.

 #4. The largest hurdels for the lost boys was to just support them selves. I think this because in the movie the one guy went to school worked and tried to play basketball all in the same day and that is hard to do. Then when a friend from sudan call him and says he should be sending more money back home whats he supposed to do. He is all ready working going to school and sends money home and its almost to much to do. The biggest hurdel that i think they face is trying to support them selves and people back home and still go to school thats really just unimagineable to me.

-collin hoops-