The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. has sparked controversy since its unveiling, with some viewing it as a fitting tribute to the veterans of the conflict, while others see it as a disrespectful monument. The reflective walls listing the names of the American soldiers who lost their lives in the war have been interpreted in various ways by different individuals. As I navigate through the sources provided, I am inclined to take the position that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is indeed an appropriate tribute to the Vietnam veterans.
Several sources support the view that the memorial is a poignant and respectful tribute to the veterans. Source B, "THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL" by Maya Ling Yin, highlights the emotional impact of the memorial and how it provides a place for healing and remembrance for the families and friends of those who died in the conflict. Source E, "HONORING VETERANS OF WAR AND ANTI-WAR" by Phyllis S. Corbitt, also emphasizes the importance of honoring veterans from both sides of the conflict, recognizing the complexity of the Vietnam War and the need for reconciliation.
On the other hand, Source C, "INSULTING VIETNAM VETS" by Tom Carhart, presents the opposing view that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is insulting to the veterans. Carhart argues that the memorial essentially "throws away" the sacrifices made by soldiers in the conflict and fails to acknowledge their heroism. While this perspective challenges my initial position on the memorial, it also serves as a valuable counter-argument that I can address in my synthesis essay.
One overarching theme that emerges from the sources is the idea of remembrance and healing. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a physical space for individuals to come together, reflect on the past, and honor the sacrifices made during the war. The conflicting opinions on the memorial demonstrate the complexity of remembering a contentious conflict like the Vietnam War and the different ways in which individuals cope with its legacy.
In my synthesis essay, I will draw upon the emotional impact of the memorial as highlighted in Source B and the importance of reconciliation and honoring veterans from all backgrounds as presented in Source E. I will also address the criticism from Source C that the memorial is insulting to Vietnam veterans, acknowledging the valid concerns raised about the representation of their sacrifices. By considering multiple perspectives and weaving together the themes of remembrance and healing, I aim to present a nuanced argument on the appropriateness of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Read the Introduction and questions and write a synthesis essay of 5 long paragraphs and don't just answer the question
Introduction:
The Vietnam Conflict was arguably the most contentious in American History The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington DC., was also a contentious choice. A wild departure from the tall monuments of other wars, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is an intersection of two reflective walls set below the ground. The walls list the names of the Americans who died in the conflict. Some have referred to the monument as a black, tomb-like hole that dishonors the survivors of the Vietnam War. Others feel that the reflective quality of the monument coupled with the park-like setting around it pays evocative tribute to a complex moment in American history.
Read the following sources (including any introductory information) carefully. Then write a synthesis essay in which you evaluate whether or not the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C is an appropriate tribute to the Vietnam veterans
Refer to the sources by their titles (Source A, Source B, etc.) or by the descriptions
Source A (Ayers)
Source B (Lin)
Source C (Carhart)
Source D (Remembering)
Source E (Corbitt)
Sources:
A. YALE SENIOR, A VIETNAM MEMORIAL AND A FEW IRONTES, by B. Drummond
B. THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL by Maya Ling Yin
C. INSULTING VIETNAM VETS, by Tom Carhart
D. HOW TO REMEMBER VIL INAM
E HONORING VETERANS OF WAR AND ANTI-WAR by Phyllis S. Corbitt
Keep the following questions in mind and make sure to answer them in your essay
What is the prompt asking you to take a position on, what is it asking you to do. After reading the background info, what is your gut opinion on which side you want to take. Go with one. Which sources support your position. Make an indication so you can come back to those later. Which sources seem to run counter to your position. Pick at least one of these to read for your counter-argument. As you are reading, be on the lookout for anything (quotes) you can use in your paper later Mark them so you can find them as you are writing. What are some overarching themes you notice in the works you read. How can you use these themes to group the sources you read. How will you combine them. You will need to use 3 sources overall, but please don't use more than 4 (for time purposes). Yes, this means you can use a source twice For example, if you have talked about Source A and Source B in the first paragraph, you can then talk about Source B and Source E in the second paragraph. You MUST have more than one source per body paragraph. Make a brief outline and pick pertinent quotes from your sources if you haven't yet
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