今年的大年初三，2/2/2014, 周日，中国人在过年，美国人则在SUPER BOWL(超级碗)比赛中狂欢。比赛的第二天，当我们在美国文学课上讨论这个比赛时，美国学生认为，不看这个比赛的人，就不是美国人。遗憾，来美国这么多年，我从来就没看过这个比赛。但今年为了应付老师的作业，我必须要看这场比赛。而且，我还是带着任务看的这个比赛。红字是老师的要求，黑字是我的回答。今天我收到老师给我的100分了，于是我就拿出来晒晒这个作业，供准留学生们参考。美国的文科教育太灵活了，根本就不是捧着书本背书考试的模式。

Now that you have watched the Super Bowl, halftime, commercials, and all, what are some aspects about the event that you think reflects American identity? Support your reflections with concrete examples. Also consider what about the program/event/evening you enjoyed, and what you think might not be a positive reflection. Finally, see if you can draw a connection between the Super Bowl and any of the assigned readings for Monday.

Write out your reflections in at least one paragraph below using standard conventions for grammar, syntax, tone, diction, and structure. (4 points)

Comment on someone else's post by adding to, challenging, or emphasizing his/her post. (3 points)

Be prepared to discuss in class. It should be a very interesting discussion indeed!

我的回答：

2/2/14

Although I am not a football fan and do not 100% understand the rules for Super Bowl, I really enjoy tonight show and learn a lot from this big annual event. In my view, several aspects about the event could reflect American identity. The most touching example to me is Russell Wilson’s story.

Based on Wikipedia, “Wilson is multiracial. His racial background is mostly African American, though he also has some Native American ancestry”. Wilson’s race background reflects American identity as a big melting pot.  In addition, his success story reflects another American identity as being a unique person. At end of the show, when reporter Pam interviewed Wilson,  this young man gave thanks to his dad who encouraged him a lot by saying ”Russ, why not you? And believing in yourself, and believing in the talent God’s given you, even you are 5’11’’, you can go a long ways.”  To me, Wilson’s success story reflects a real American dream in which everyone could be a potential hero if he/she trusts himself/herself and works really hard to this dream.

During the show, I saw one person waving a Canadian Flag to the audience. This foreign flag also reminds me of America as a melting pot that welcomes all the immigrants worldwide. I also realize that many athletes of two teams are African American. In the football field, race is not an issue at all. Whites and blacks are all brave soldiers fighting together for their team.  Last but not least, the national anthem by Grammy Award winner Renee Fleming and the giant national flag on the ground of the field shows American identity as a powerful nation with a great pride.

In addition to the sport show, I really enjoy the concert at halftime. The first song by Brwno Mars shows a man’s respect and love to a woman. This is something positive for me to enjoy. Part of the lyrics says:”You are my golden star….You know you can make my wish come true if you let me treasure you.” To me, this song reflects American identity as inclusion of women.  From this song, I have a feeling that women in USA do not have to be secondary to men and men’s success counts on women’s encouragement to some extent. I also enjoy the second song by the same singer, which is dedicated to USA soldier families nationwide.

Although there are lots of commercials during the show, many advertisements are very enjoyable to watch. A few examples include American Cancer Society which reminds us of cancer day, University Maryland which tells us their online degree, and a beautiful Cheerio advertisement which reinforces family value in this country. The most beautiful commercial to me is a CoCo Cola advertisement in which several different languages (Spain, French, Hebrew and English) are spoken, indicating the multiple citizenships in USA.

In my view, the thing that is not a positive reflection in this show is violent commercials. Several gun shooting scenes remind me of the Columbia Mall shooting that happened last week. In addition, I do not enjoy watching two players from two different teams were not friendly to each other in one scene. I also feel sorry for Richard Sherman who hurt his right ankle and is in the crutch.

 To my knowledge, Russell Wilson’s story connects to a poem we read for assignments. It seems to me that Russell and his dad is living in a poem entitled “Autumn begins in Martin Ferry, Ohio”.  In this poem, hardworking dads from different categories are dreaming of heroes.  They put great hope on their sons.  “Therefore, Their sons grow suicidally beautiful,….and gallop terribly against each other’s bodies. ”   In tonight show, when Demaryius Thomas  got touchdown and wined  8 points for Denver team, he became a hero like Casey who is in a poem entitled “ Casey at the Bat”. Audience’s yell in tonight show reminds me of poem “Casey at the Bat”, too.   Five thousands throats, ten thousands eyes and five thousands tongues in this poem represent the audiences in New Jersey tonight.

from Week 2: Reading Response

Feb 3, 2014 12:06am

I really enjoy reading your comments on military service people, whose sacrifice and dedication to the family and country deserve our appreciation and respect. When Brwno Mars dedicates his song " Just the way you are" to soldiers' families, I was deeply touched in my heart. In this national entertainment  Super Bowl time, we should understand that many soldiers might lose their life in a remote place to give us the safe and peaceful day.

from Week 2: Reading Response

Feb 3, 2014 12:15am

Although I agree with your comments for the selfish commercials,  I enjoy a Chevrolet car commercial  very much. It says, Detriot makes cars, Cars make America. You can import labors and parts from other place, but you can not  import one thing from anywhere, that is, America Pride. This commercial supports USA products. To me it is a kind of patriotism.

from Week 2: Reading Response

Feb 3, 2014 10:01pm

I want to refer to the Coca Cola - It's Beautiful commercial.

I totally agree with you!!