CREATIVE RESPONSE TO THE POEM:
For this assignment, you are the year 2022 visitor from another planet to earth to study Americans. separately. Answer 1, 2. 3. below.
1) Begin by mentioning something from Hayden’s poem “American Journal” that still captures something about America today.
2) After that opening, focus mainly on what you would write about your observations of America today.
(When you do, keep in mind that people continue to come here from all over the world for various reason, and many do not wish to return to the countries from which they came. In fact some countries complain that they send students here to study, and then the students prefer to remain here and not return to their countries to bring the benefit of their education.
3) Now discuss what you agree or disagree with what the visitor from outer space pointed as the problem(s) in America. Next state what you are doing to address the problem(s), other than complaining about them.
For example Alicia Garza was co-founder of Black Lives Matter. And many students voted, or in other ways contributed constructively to assuring that Black Lives Matter.
Background:
Robert Hayden. Read the poem “American Journal” on pages 141-144 WASHINGTON, United States — Robert Hayden, the first African American to be appointed United States Poet Laureate, has been honored on a postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The portrait of Mr. Hayden – who was of the Baha’i faith appears in a special series of 10 stamps depicting America’s most important 20th century poet
