2.8 Reflection - Montgomery Trip

2.7: Md-Semester 2 Reflection

1. I believe that the most important thing that I learned about immigration in the 19th Century was how hard it truly was to immigrate. With literacy and US History tests becoming requirements to enter onto US soil. The Naturalization laws were also very cut and try and did not make the transition any easier for the trying immigrants. The visa and green card rules and regulations were also very strict and enforceable by border patrol and the Government. Birthright citizenship was the topic that I wrote about and I was able to find out just how much it effected those trying to immigrate and some of the legal challenges that they must face.
2. Immigration today still makes it very difficult for an immigrant to be able to come onto American soil. With the recent Government shutdown, some have had their green card hearings passed over, which seems unfair to wait all that time and because of a fault that was not their own they must miss their green card hearing and begin waiting in the back of the line. The border wall controversy is also very relevant with the election of President Trump becoming an ever lingering issue at the footsteps of the Government. I learned that even with new and improved rules and regulations, immigration is still made very difficult and could certainly still look for improvements.
3. One of the aspects of living that was challenging in the 19th Century is overcrowding and overpopulating of rural areas such as New York and Chicago. In these two places in particular, tenement housing was used as a cheap and effective way of housing a large number of families. Because of the lack of regulations, there were many downfalls to having these such as occasional fires, no running water, little to no light, no ventilation, and just overall really poor living conditions. Also, another problem with urban settings was the presence of pollution, litter, and unclean streets. The sanitation in urban areas was little to none and had an effect on the face value of properties and did not look good when shown to the public. In order to combat this, there was a "city beautiful movement" started in NYC.
4. The Highline promotes a sense of progressivism because of all of the volunteers and people that it took in order to bring it to life. From the private investors to the gardeners that keep the plants pruned they all played a significant role in the development of the Highline. The individual initiative that Robert and Joshua had to use in order to take this unwanted and thrown away railroad into something that the community uses as a symbol for their city was a true feat. Many people played important role in the construction and design such as architects, photographers, designers, gardeners, CSX, private investors, and even the Highline team that are there to answer questions and interact with the Highline visitors.

Image of the Highline in New York

2.6 Philanthropy

1. Philanthropy - A Greek term which directly translated means “love of mankind.” Philanthropy is an idea, event, or action that is done to better humanity and usually involves some sacrifice as opposed to being done for a profit motive. Acts of philanthropy include donating money to a charity, volunteering at a local shelter, or raising money to donate to cancer research. - NPQ
Philanthropy is the love for human kind, and focuses on the quality of life for the greater good of society. Philanthropy is different from charity although similar at the same time. For instance a major difference between philanthropy and charity is that philanthropy addresses the root of a problem while charity attempts to create a temporary solution for a specific problem.
2. Andrew Carnegie, Philanthropist - Americas Library
Carnegie gave away 90% of his wealth to organizations that supported teachers ($10 Million), Public Libraries (2,000 built), College/Schooling Aid ($125 Million). Andrew Carnegie also believed in World Peace, and funded Hague Palace of Peace which became the World Court. Carnegie gave his donations to causes that he cared about and had a deep connection too from what he believed help him through life while he was younger. He was a passionate individual that cared about what he could do for others with his own donations.
3. John D. Rockefeller - History.com
Rockefeller and Carnegie were very similar in their early life and rise to fame, and both ended their lives donating to causes that they were passionate about. Unlike Carnegie, Rockefeller was very religious and gave his money to religious institutions, Education, and Scientific causes (such as Rockefeller University). Rockefeller donated more than half a billion USD.
4. Carnegie Cooperation
The Carnegie Foundation is involved in "promoting advancements in the diffusion of knowledge and understanding." The three main causes that it focuses on today are International Peace, the advancement of education, and strength of our democracy.
5. Barron Hilton - Hilton Foundation
W. Barron Hilton helped in the creation of the Super Bowl and established the LA Chargers NFL Team, Hilton "pledges" to give 97% of his wealth to Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. As of 2011 net worth = $2.5 Billion.
6. I would invest in religious works and non profit pet/vet organizations because those are some of the things that I have found that I am passionate about and would want to further expenses and research in those areas.

Image of W. Barron Hilton while serving with the U.S. Navy

2.5 Progressive Research

Research Document