Audrey Lowe

History 1700
April 22, 2015
Document Analysis Assignment 4
The American Century (1941) and What the Negro Wants (1944)
From Henry R. Luce, he expresses the fact that Americans should and need to accept the
burdens of the world. If we were to live in a nation without freedom, we would not be where we
are today. In fact, things would be incredible different and there would be a whole new definition
to power. We need most of all to seek and to bring forth a vision of America as a world power
and to bring forth a vision . . . which will guide us to the authentic creation of the 20th century
our century. (Give Me Liberty: An American History. Page 698).
He continues to express the importance of freedom and the effect that it has. It creates a
more abundant life and coordinates with an American promise. What we must insist on is that
the abundant life is predicated on Freedom . . . Without Freedom, there will be no abundant life/
With Freedom, there can be. (Give Me Liberty: An American History. Page 698).
From this article, I can see his perspective on how important it is to come together as one.
We have such a significant and strong power as a nation. And if we take our freedom seriously
and appreciate what we are given, we can do so much as a union. We are given this great
blessing of freedom and power, and if we use it to a great extent, we can change the world for the
best by working together.
In the article from Charles H. Wesley, he explains a small portion of how the African
Americans had felt during this same time period as the article from Henry R. Luce. The relation
between their definitions of freedom has many similarities but also has its differences.
Wesley expresses the hardships and emotions that come through the feelings from
African Americans and their passion to have a sense of freedom during this time period.
[Negroes] have wanted what other citizens of the United States have wanted. They have wanted
freedom and opportunity. They have wanted the pursuit of the life vouchsafed to all citizens of

the United States by our own liberty documents. (Give Me Liberty: An American History. Page
698).
It breaks my heart that our nation went through all that it did so that we could have
freedom. But I guess we had to fight for it in some way, right? Everything happens for a reason.
It just is so sad that certain people due to their race, gender etc. had to fight for it a lot harder
than others. I have lived in a different country before; China. And while I was there I realized
how extremely thankful and blessed I am to live in America. Of course we arent perfect, and
face many trials in our lives still, BUT, we are given so much. While I lived there, I saw how
Chinese lived their daily lives. I had many conversations that were life changing, while we talked
about how their government controls their lives in such a way. As many other countries, they
arent given the freedoms like we have. I think many people here in American dont always
realize how blessed they are to have what we have; we at time take our freedom for granted,
because it is something that we have almost always had.
I feel like at many times, (and not in a racial manner), that white people took their
freedom for granted because it was something they were always handed to for the most of part.
Whereas for African Americans, it was something that they truly had to fight for with everything
that they had. They saw freedom at such a different perspective because it was something they
absolutely would do anything for. Freedom is something that everyone wants, but its the
perspective and appreciation for it that I think is so different.