http://longviewamericanhistory.weebly.com/the-civil-rights-movement.html
Emmett Till was born in 1941 and grew up and lived in Chicago. In 1955 he went to Mississippi to visit his uncle. On the second day of being there he went to a store to buy bubble gum. He allegedly "whistled" at the white cashier (Carolyn Bryant). A few days later Carolyn's husband Roy Bryant and his half brother J.W. Milam kid napped Till from his bed and beat, shot, pistol whipped, and gouged his eye out. Before wrapping a cotton fan around his neck with barbed wire and throwing him in the river. His body was found a few days later and was unrecognizable. They ID the body by the ring on his finger that had his fathers initials on it. Bryant and Milam were acquitted by an all white male jury. Till's body was put on display in an open casket for five days so people could come and see what had happened.
American Values:
- Freedom- speak, think, do what we think is best (with out authority punishing us)
- Prosper- well being of ourselves and others
- Choices- make our own choices
- Security
- Privacy
- Equal protection of the law
- Truth
How has America changed since the time of the Civil Rights Movement?
- It became law that discrimination against race, color, sex, and natural origin was prohibited. They also passed the Civil Rights Act. And since then we elected our first African American president. That would have never been possible. As well as having bathrooms, drinking fountains, buildings, and doors that everyone no matter who you are can use.
What are American values? What makes us good guys? Why should people look up to Americans?
- Americans value different things. Some value the law and the freedom that the laws give us. Some value the rights they are given or the rights they assume they deserve but do not value the laws that they believe to bind them. America tries to be the superhero and not the good guy. They try to swoop in and save the day instead of knowing the limits and trying to do everything they do with the power that they have. People look up to America because of the “American Dream” and the freedom they think they will have. But I don’t know if people should look up to America because that is not what this country is. It can be but it is not.
How did the racial divide in America begin and what is the legacy of slavery in this country?
- The racial divide in America began when the white man showed up to America. It started with Native Americans and just grew. We started owning people who weren’t even considered people. Because they were different and because of the color of their skin. The legacy of slavery is infamous. We formally “ended” slavery in 1865 when the 13th amendment was passed. However there was no way to monitor it. So it continued. And continued to be a problem that is still prevalent and still happens everyday today and in this day and age.
What was life like for African American citizens of Denver throughout the history of the city? How did African Americans thrive in an era of discrimination? How is Denver a better place because of its citizens of color?
- It was hard in Denver because there wasn't any huge indications that segregation was a as big as it was. Black people were not allowed to be hired except as janitors in stores. Cab companies wouldn't hire them unless they were white. African Americans thrived in an era of discrimination by making change and standing up for what they knew what right. They did this by protests, boycotts, etc. Denver is a better place because of its people of color because they are a strong community that the rest of us can look up to and can admire because white people have never had to fight that hard just to stay alive everyday.
What strategies did the nonviolent activists in Denver use to fight against racism,discrimination, and segregation in employment, housing, and education?
- They used several nonviolent methods such as boycotts, sit-ins, walkouts, protests, etc. They also used fear as an advantage. If people are scared of them they will not be messed with but that also turns people and organizations against them, organizations such as the FBI was afraid and against the Black Panthers.
What was life like for African Americans in the Jim Crow South?
- These laws were established between 1874 and 1875 to separate the white and black races in the south. The Jim Crow laws said "separate but equal" for African Americans. But African Americans were condemned to far less better treatment and facilities. The most important Jim Crow laws required that public schools, public facilities, water fountains, toilets, and public transportation, like trains and buses, have separate facilities for white and black people. As an African American in the Jim Crow South it was very hard. They put up with so much hate, harassment, and resentment from the white American population that lived in the South. Their treatment was definitely separate but it was no where near equal.
What were the key events of the Civil Rights Movement and who were the people who participated in the struggle for justice?
- 1954- Brown vs. Board of Education
- 1955- Montgomery Bus Boycott
- 1957- Little Rock Nine
- 1961- Freedom Rides
- 1962- Mississippi Riot
- 1963- March on Washington
- 1964- Freedom Summer
- 1965- Selma
- 1965- Murder of Malcolm X
- 1966- Black Panthers were founded
- 1968- Murder of Martin Luther King Jr.
What strategies were used and what strengths did ordinary people possess that led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
- The strengths that were used by ordinary people that led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott was courage, hope, fear, will power, and a readiness for change. Even though they were scared they were more scared of having the world live like that forever. Yes they were scared but they did it anyway because they were ready for change and they used the power that they had to boycott to make change to make something happen. They had hope that change would come if they fought for it. If they didn't have hope nothing would have happened because they didn't believe anything would change.
What are the effects of racial discrimination on the body, mind, and spirit of the people who experience it?
- The effects of racial discrimination on the body, mind, and spirit of the people who experience was devastating and heroic. Some had scars to show what had happened some didn't make it through to tell what had happened or what they had done. Most had and have mental weight that they have to carry around with them everyday. The emotional damage that they had was devastating. They were harassed, beaten, and just blatantly put, bullied in the worst way possible and in the most extreme way. But they came out stronger. They fought and stood up for themselves and their family when the world was against them. They were and still are heroic and courageous. Because of what they endured and continued to endure while fighting. And what the endured even after they had won the fight.
Can separate races be equal races? What was said to justify segregation?
- No they can't. Races can NOT be equal if they are kept separate and kept in segregation. Some of the excuses that people used to keep segregation in place were "separate but equal" (even though it was not equal in anyway), "the constitution did not require white and African American children to attended the same schools", "Social separation of blacks and whites was a regional custom; the states should be left free to regulate their own social affairs", "segregation was not harmful to black people", "Whites were making a good faith effort to equalize the two educational systems. But because black children were still living with the effects of slavery, it would take some time before they were able to compete with white children in the same classroom". These were some of the tings that were said to justify segregation.
What should we expect of elected leaders when extremists act out of hatred and bigotry?
- Our expectations should be set high for our elected leaders when extremists act out of hatreds and bigotry. As an elected leader he should stand up for the people he is leading. All of them. African, Asian, English, Latinos/as, Italian, Swedish, gay, lesbian, trans, bi, anyone and everyone. Not just certain races or certain sexual orientation. You are a leader of that country and you need to protect it. All of it. Our expectations are set very high for political leaders, however the leaders tend to put on a good show until they are elected. Our expectations are set high, but we are let down every time for one reason or another.
How do historians sort through the historical evidence to draw conclusions about what happened in the past and to make meaning of it?
- When historians sort through the historical evidence to draw conclusions about what happened in the past they look for patterns, explanations, cause, and effects. They look into human nature to try and find answers, as well as comparing societies to draw conclusions about the past and what happened.
When dealing with hate groups do you ignore them hoping they'll go away OR will they only come back stronger?
- When dealing with hate groups you can not ignore them. They will make sure that they are not ignored. If you ignore them they will come back stronger and harder to make sure that you can't ignore them. You have to show that you hear them but keep fighting for what you know is right and fighting for the constitution and fighting for the right thing. If we just let the hate groups win we will not want to live in this world. We have a right and an obligation to do the right thing.
What are the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement?
- Government supported segregation of public facilities ended
- Public schools no longer separated by race
- Southern colleges and universities that once excluded blacks began to recruit them
- Anti black violence declined
- Voting rights were protected
- Increased employment opportunity for people of all races
- Black candidates were elected
What did some people sacrifice and endure to gain civil rights for those denied them in this country?
- Some people endured everything. They put up with name calling. They put up with being beaten. They put up with exclusion. They put up with hatred from everyone. When they decided to fight back they sacrificed everything. They sacrificed their lives so they could make change happen. They sacrificed their bodies. They were beaten and put in jail and killed. They sacrificed their emotion. That means that they couldn't show their fear and sadness. They couldn't show the emotions that were vulnerable. They had to be strong and stay prideful through it all.
How did the Black Panthers view their work and what did they endure and sacrifice for their work?Is the past really the past?
- The Black Panthers viewed their work as work of good. Trying to bring equal opportunities to the colored people. They set up free schools, free clinics, breakfast programs, and much more. They endured everything that colored people endured when there wasn't a Black Panther group. Except the FBI was scared of them. They were spying, sent death threats, harassment, and they were also killed. The past is the past. However the past doesn't always stay in the past. And sometimes we call it the past even though it never really "went away" for us to justify us calling it the past.
In what ways were African Americans kept from exercising their right to vote and how did civil rights activists seek to remedy this?
- The most common way that African Americans were kept from exercising their right to vote was they were stopped by white mobs. These mobs would beat them and not let the African Americans close to ballots. Civil rights activists sought to remedy this by taking it to court, protesting, and doing many other non violent acts to make change. Some also resorted to violence to combat the violence that they were enduring.
In what ways was the Chicano Rights Movement (El Movimiento) similar to the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans?
- The Civil Rights Movement fought for their rights as Americans. They fought for their rights as people. They fought for education, voting rights, and most of all they fought for equality. They fought to be equal in all ways. That is what the Chicano Movement was about. It was about having equal rights for them and their children and fr every generation after them. Both movements had activists groups and used non violence methods to get things done. To make change happen for themselves cause the government didn't want change.
What was the experience Chicano students in East L.A. and what did activists do to promote change?
What was the experience of Chicano students in Denver, and what did activists do to promote change?
What were the aims of the poor peoples campaign?
- The poor people's campaign was organized by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The aims of the poor people's campaign was to demand economic rights as well as human rights for poor American's of diverse back grounds.
Who was Corky Gonzales and what did he do to fight for civil rights for Chicano's in Denver?
- Corky Gonzales was a Mexican American boxer, poet, and political activist. He formed the Chicano Youth. It was a group that was formed to learn about their history, learn to write for newspapers and speeches, and to learn self worth and how to be proud of your heritage. In Denver there was a lot violence and unrest regarding the different races. The police bombed one of the Crusaders buildings and killed Junior Martinez. This caused an outburst of violence and confrontation. They wouldn't be treated like animals subdued or bent. In 1983 Denver elected first Hispanic Mayor Federico Pena.
When seeking change why do some choose violence and some choose non violence?
- When seeking change people choose violence because they think it will make the change happen quicker. They think that by using violence it is just a way of getting back at what had been done wrong. But by using non violent methods you are keeping the moral high ground throughout the passage of change. Non violent methods can be just as effective if not more effective than violent methods. It is just a difference of what kind of change you want, when you want it, and how you want it.
How did government legally enforce segregation and what has been the impact on the people of America?
- The government legally enforced segregation by using the Jim Crow Laws and by using their authority as government (even if it wasn't legal). The impact is not on America itself. The impact is on it's reputation. It makes America weak today because we can't come together as a people. It impacts the American people. It makes the people have to fight for civil and civic rights that they should have because they are people just like everyone else. They are the exact same as us. The only difference is we brought them over here and decided we didn't want them here so we punished them because we brought them here.
What are the institutions in our society that perpetuate racism, how does it affect the people of this country, and what can be done about it?
- Institutions such as housing, education, employment, health care, justice system, economic system, and political system, and voting perpetuate racism. It affects this country by publicizing the stigmatisms and stereotypes that people have towards races separate from their own. Equal rights is what can be done. They have been fighting for their rights as humans and as Americans for years an years since they got to America. Laws can be made but past that they must be enforced as well.
What actions can people, communities, and institutions take to fight back against racism and discrimination?
Eyes on the Prize (3-2-1)
New Things
Connections
Question
New Things
- People used God as an excuse to say that he wanted segregation because they were cursed and they weren’t meant to be equal
- Autorine Lucy sued that the mob rule was being used to overturn the law
- Little Rock Nine 1957 national guard was called to only admit the white students into the school and keep the nine students out of the school
Connections
- In one from the new things it is much like to battle for LGBTQ+ rights using the bible and God as an excuse/argument
- There are many cases currently trying to figure our state laws versus the federal laws
Question
- How does somebody justify that much hate and disgust for someone? What do they tell themselves to make that ok in their minds?
Accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement :
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ne7B-J8QCib98H4ykcaWmPz4PZNoGP6jhRpxMfFDXZc/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ne7B-J8QCib98H4ykcaWmPz4PZNoGP6jhRpxMfFDXZc/edit?usp=sharing
- Government supported segregation of public facilities ended
- Public schools no longer separated by race
- Southern colleges and universities that once excluded blacks began to recruit them
- Anti black violence declined
- Voting rights were protected
- Increased employment opportunity for people of all races
- Black candidates were elected
Black Panthers:
Programs to Serve the Community-
- Health clinics
- Free health care
- Acupuncture
- Tested people- sickle cell anemia
- Free education
- Breakfast programs
- Legal aid
- Murder of Malcolm X
- Voting rights act
- Watts riot
- Selma march
- Injustice- killing of black teenager in SF by white police
Initial Mission: to police the police
Black Panthers were Socialists
COINTELPRO- propaganda and surveillance operation
FBI program- pinpoint "trouble makers" and disarm them
They carried out 290 missions- 245 of which were against the Black Panthers
Sent death threats, racists cartoons, harassment, incarcerations, killed, and disruptions of the free programs that the Black Panthers provided. They were terrorizing the Black Panther.
Press demonized them-
Saying they were angry men who wanted to kill white people
Saying they were racist and hated whites
Two Schools in Mississippi:
- The school's environment "feels more like a jail than a school."
- Indigo Williams made sure to specify that is wasn't a race thing.
- "Its a nationwide problem and that's part of the reason this case isn't really about segregation. It's more about uniformity."
- "The point we have made in this lawsuit is that regardless of the racial composition of your school is, federal law required Mississippi to provide the same opportunity at every school and that's just not happening."
- The constitution has changed many times and wording has changed. So the promise of uniformity is no longer in the constitution.
- "In other words, the promise amounts to virtually nothing - when it comes to education, the state legislature can do literally whatever it wants, so long as there are some free public schools."
Freedom Summer:
Schwerner, Goodman, Cheney
Schwerner, Goodman, Cheney
Chicano!
How is is similar to the Black Rights revolution?
Conditions of Life:
LULAC was like the NAACP - fight for civil rights
Separated burial places - segregation even in death
JFK - reached out to Mexican American people for voters
Disappointed - didn't follow through on promise of change
Youth - wanted to do things a new way more militant willing to risk
Youth Confrintational tactics:
Registered to vote not as democrats or republicans
Women:
How is is similar to the Black Rights revolution?
Conditions of Life:
- Poverty
- Lack of education
- forced to do manual labor
- This country built "on the backs" of these people
- Had no political power
- Poll taxes
- Literacy test
- Boss told some how he wanted them to vote
- Ran for office
- White leaders had to be forced to give up power
- Lost jobs or salary cut if they tried to vote
- Harassed - charged with petty crimes
- Physical punishment
- Texas Rangers - intimidation and killings (lynchings)
LULAC was like the NAACP - fight for civil rights
Separated burial places - segregation even in death
JFK - reached out to Mexican American people for voters
Disappointed - didn't follow through on promise of change
Youth - wanted to do things a new way more militant willing to risk
Youth Confrintational tactics:
- Schools - fought stereotypes
- Protests
- Walk outs
- Demanded courses on Mexican American history
- Fought so they could speak Spanish
Registered to vote not as democrats or republicans
Women:
- Wanted to be a part of decision making
- Were strong organizers and recruiters
Rodolfo Corky Gonzales
After Joaquin:
- Organized Chicano youth-
- education of history
- learned to write for newspapers and speeches
- cultural rebirth (art music murals)
- Self worth
- Problems-
- Housing
- Substandard education
- Unemployment
- Poverty
- Chicano's dying in Vietnam War
Political Involvement- not putting up with hypocrites, living up to your principals
Wanted immediate change
Crusade for Justice: 1967
- Social Services-
- food
- housing
- legal aid
- Cultural Pride-
- school
- art gallery
- bookstore
- Leadership Development-
- to help young people become leaders and develop professionals
- control their own economic life
- Relations with Law Enforcement-
- has always been uneasy and marked by violence
- alienation between young people and police
- even peaceful education demonstrations could end in violence
- Killing of "Junior" Martinez-
- killed by police in 1973
- caused an outburst of violence and confrontation
- crusade building blown up by police
- Won't be treated like animals subdued or bent
- 1983- Denver elected first Hispanic Mayor Federico Pena
- "The Chicano movement is not dead, it is resting"