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Alexis Nicole Perez

English 115
9:30-10:45
Professor John Kubler

Putnam and Lennon Summary

John Lennon is a well known inspiration around the world. His music is known for
having deep meaning that touch the hearts of many. One of his most well known songs is
"Imagine" which has to do with the end of division, which Lennon expressed with examples of
religion and possessions. Lennon's first verse expresses the saying "Imagine there's no heaven,
it's easy if you try, no hell below us, above us only sky", and this gives a prime example that he
would want people to not think about religion dividing groups of people (1). In society as we see
it, religion creates for different beliefs, which contradict others. This later leads to conflicts or
even wars.
Lennon also says throughout his song "you may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only
one" and this represents that he isn't the only one who believes in abolishing the division
between groups of people (1). To me, Lennon's use of repetition in this song represents that it's a
statement he truly believes in. There are people, such as Martin Luther King, who looked for
equality. He isn't the only one, even till this day, that doesn't believe the same thing. Lennon
father uses another lyric "No need for greed or hunger" which gives a example that possession is
something we should stop (1). Being greedy leads to negative conclusions, so as far as Lennon's
view, he believes that negativity within diversity should end.

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Lastly, Lennon uses the expression "Imagine there's no countries", which means that if
we saw people for being equal individuals instead of separate races our country would be better
off (1). The division between races has been seen throughout history, such as the African
Americans who were frowned upon only for their color of their skin. The whites, or Americans,
were considered the initial group. It ends up dealing with social class because one group in
Lennon's eyes, is overpowered by another.
Robert D. Putnam wrote an article called "Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first
Century" which discusses that a part of why diversity is great in America is because of
immigration. Putnam states this in a positive sense, "immigration is generally associated with
more rapid economic growth" (1). This means that immigration is a good aspect because it helps
the economy grow better than if we didn't have diversity. Putnam thinks of diversity as a good
thing, while Lennon thinks that abolishing it would bring everybody close together. Another
view of Putnam is that "as we have more contact with people who are unlike us, we overcome
our initial hesitation and ignorance and come to trust them more" which enhances the fact that
diversity isn't a bad thing (1). We come together because we make friends with other ethnicities,
which leads to a growth in diversity relationships.
According to Putnam diversity affects social capital as well, "the more ethnically diverse
the people we live around, the less we trust them" (1). Reason being that some people aren't as
open as other's so they only continue to be with their own kind. For example, at Bravo High
School, there is a section in the cafeteria with only Armenian's, and as time passed by, they
somewhat spread to talk to other groups of people. His sense is that although people who not
clearly accept other ethnicities, after a while people ease up to the idea.

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Lastly Putnam discusses that diversity leads to "less expectation that others will
cooperate to solve dilemmas of collective action" because people have less trust with people
other ethnicities, as stated before. Unlike Putnam, Lennon just believes that diversity in general
should be stopped, but Putnam although focuses on negative points, suggests that with time
people will be able to live with diversity and differences.