This past Friday I had the opportunity to interview six Greek teachers for a scholarship to study at an American university for six weeks next summer to learn about the American educational system as well as educational strategies and techniques. This is part of the 2011 Study of United States Institutes Program. One my colleagues on the panel asked each candidate to suggest a Greek book, song, or poem that could give an American an idea of what it means to be Greek. As each candidate answered this question, I wondered what American book, song, or poem I would recommend to someone from Greece that would give him or her an idea of what it means to be American. Today on the bus ride from Athens to Ioannina, I had a lot of time to ponder that question. The following is my somewhat traditional, but also somewhat eclectic baker's dozen of what I believe would give someone from Greece an idea of what it means to be an American:
1. Gettysburg Address (1863)-President Lincoln succinctly described what America was and what it hoped to become.
2. The Preamble of the Declaration of Independence (1776)-If anything defines what it is to be American, it is the first two sentences of the Preamble.
3. America (1968)-When I return from Greece, I bet when the wheels of the plane touch down on the runway of the Philadelphia Airport that the voices of Simon & Garfunkel will be wafting through my mind as they sing how "they've all gone to look for America."
4. My Country Tis of Thee-The video of Marian Anderson singing this song at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday of 1939 is iconic.
5. Adagio for Strings (1936)-Whenever I hear this piece by American composer Samuel Barber, it stops me dead in my tracks. I have always had a strong streak of melancholy and this piece resonates like no other with that pensive gene I have.
6. As I Lay Dying (1930)-There are other books by Faulkner that just of easily could have been on this list, but a person from Greece would have to appreciate that the title was derived from Homer's "Odyssey".
7. To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)-Whether it is the book or the film, it is a powerful American story.
8. The Grapes of Wrath (1939)- Although this story took place in the 30's, it is still relevant. Although Greeks may not be familiar with John Steinbeck, they can relate to his story of hard times and the will to survive.
9. Ansel Adams-Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico (1941)-Because I lived in Santa Fe, I am partial to New Mexico. This is a great photograph.
10. Our Town (1938)-Thornton Wilder created the quintessential play about small town America.
11. West Side Story (1957)-Immigration is an issue in Greece as it is in America. In this musical, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Jerome Robbins remind us that diversity is the spice of life.
12. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)-Frank Capra reminded us that no man is an island and that we do make a difference in each others lives. It took place in America, but it could just as easily have been filmed in Greece.
13. Just Kids (2010)-I am reaching on this one. Patti Smith wrote a memoir of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. I haven't read it, but it just won the National Book Award. It is not your typical relationship, but it is a uniquely American story.
If I did this list over, I would have 13 different entries. What would you have included?
No comments:
Post a Comment