Tet Docs

     Learning more about the Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War as a whole made me wonder who was suffering more. The U.S. or the Vietnamese people? The first document stated that although the North Vietnamese Army suffered almost 10x the casualties as the U.S./South Vietnamese troops, they won on a psychological standpoint. The NVA had attacked the South during its most vulnerable time. The Tet holiday was meant to be celebrated by civilians and the agreed cease-fire was taken advantage of. The attack was the straw that broke President Johnson's back. Because of this, he refused to run for re-election.
     Walter Cronkite's broadcast echoed many of the thoughts and feelings of the American people towards the Vietnam War. Cronkite openly expressed his doubts about the future of the war and even says "we have been too often disappointed by the optimism of the American leaders, both in Vietnam and Washington". Many Americans believed that they were not being told the whole truth of the war overseas. Americans were clearly worn down from the years of fighting and were demanding answers along with results.
     I couldn't help but feel bad while reading President Johnson's address to the nation. The doubt and disappointment in his voice was obvious. When he referenced JKF's line of "paying any price", you could tell that he knew that there actually WAS a limit as to how far the U.S. was willing to fight. His address was meant to instill hope and optimism in the American people but I could tell he was also trying to convince himself that the decision to go to war was a good one. After saying he would not run for re-election, President Johnson said "let men everywhere know, however, that a strong, a confident, and a vigilant American stands ready tonight". How can America be seen as confident when the President backs out of the presidency?

Studs Terkel #8

     I really enjoyed reading Dolores Dante's optimistic story. Dolores had been a waitress for a large part of her life and unlike the profession's negative label, she loved and appreciated her job. She originally chose waitressing for the fast money it brings. She discussed how some customers try to demean her when it comes to tipping. Dolores hates the idea of bosses and even says "loyalty is never appreciated". This can be true in all walks of life. In Dolores' case, the security she brought to her employers was never noticed. In fact, Japanese Americans' loyalty went unnoticed and was even questioned during World War 2. 
     The second story I read was auto worker Phil Stallings'. Much like Dolores, Phil has a job that is seen as less desirable. To put it simply, Phil's job is HARD. He even says "the only time a person stops is when the line stops". His working conditions are dangerous and he is also very much unappreciated. One of Phil's thoughts really stuck with me. He noticed that when a machine breaks down, someone is there to fix it right away, but if HE was the one to break down, he would be pushed to the side and replaced. This shows the technology age that we live in and the importance that is placed onto machines. Stallings also said how "a job should be a job, not a death sentence". People today hate their jobs making it their own death sentence. Phil prefers to work with his hands and many American leaders believe that if more people were trained in skill-level professions, then the economy and unemployment rate would improve.

Studs Terkel #7

     Dennis Hart is a cabbie who lived during the 50s. Many of his stories were about living during segregation. I was really interested to hear his perspective on his life and how he admired black people in some ways. He said how Martin Luther King Jr. scared him because of his power to do "destructive" things peacefully. Dennis was also impressed with how he saw black people as having a real goal in life while white people base success off of material wealth. Hart thought it to be very important to die with pride. After taking up boxing to get some of his pent up anger out, Hart says "a lot of people think the important thing is knocking the other guy down. The important thing is to keep yourself from getting hurt" (239). This can relate to the Truman Doctrine and how its importance was based off protection and defense against the spread of communism.

     The story of Lucy Jefferson was a story of a black woman who migrated from Mississippi. Her story was one of empowerment as a black woman. She made the observation that black women and white men can do what they want because of the fear they instill but the black man and white woman will be slaves forever. Jefferson told how she defied the people she was working with by carrying around a book when others couldn't believe that she was even able to read. Raising her children poor made her qualify for governmental aid but she refused it. She said "how am I gonna teach these children of mine what a pleasure it is in accomplishment?" (245). This could relate to the time of the Depression when most people where in financial need. I'm sure there were those whose pride got in the way of accepting help. I'm also sure that in these tough economic times, there are people who think of themselves too highly to receive financial aid.