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Working towards change and social justice with March: Book 2|
Discussion Questions: 1) Page through today's readings and find an example when the words and illustrations are working together to successfully convey events, mood and themes. What makes this excerpt feel successful and balanced? 2) John Lewis said, "By respectfully insisting to be treated fairly, we would draw attention to the unfairness of segregation. The "we" in this quote are the Freedom Riders and members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Think about things you feel are unfair in your life. Do you think dealing with things you think are unfair in a respectful manner is the right practice to adopt? Be prepared to support your answer. 3) In today's reading we saw John Lewis and other civil rights leaders risk their personal safety for a cause they believe in. What are other current or historical examples of people risking safety for a purpose? When is such risk justified?
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Historical Events in this section: President Obama inauguration, 2009 Presidential Inaugurations are held January 20th. The inauguration ceremony centers on the formal swearing in of a president, marking the first day of their term in office. Obama's speech centered on the need for accountability in Washington and the responsibility of ordinary people to get involved. Obama was the first African American president.
Boynton V. Virginia This was a supreme court decision which outlawed racial discrimination in bus terminals.
Freedom Rides The Freedom Rides were a series of political protests against segregation of buses by Black and whites who rode buses together through the American South in 1961. The Freedom Riders were working to end the illegal segregation of buses, which was common practice in the south. The protestors were met with resistance and often violence.
1961 Freedom Ride in Jackson, Mississippi.
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People in today's reading: |
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James "Jim" Farmer: member of the Civil Rights "Big 6" and leader of CORE. Central to organizing Freedom Riders.(pg. 32 & 49) |
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Freedom Riders: Joe Perkins, Jim Peck, Elton Cox, Dr. Walter Bergman, Frances Berman, Jimmy McDonald, Charles Person, Ed Blankenheim, Genevieve Hughes, Albert Bigfellow, Thomas Hank, James Farmer and John Lewis (pg. 33) |
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Robert Kennedy: Attorney General to President Kennedy (his brother). He met with civil rights leaders about civil rights legislation. (pg. 37, 68) |
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Diane Nash : Civil rights leader known for her involvement in the freedom rides, Selma Voting Rights Act and SNCC. Nash coordinated the Nashville Student Movement Ride from Birmingham, Alabama, to Jackson, Mississippi after learning of the bus burning in the Alabama city of Anniston and the riot in Birmingham. (pgs. 47, 49, 64-65) |
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Eugene "Bull" Connor: Chief of Police in Birmingham, Alabama during burning of freedom rider bus. He left the bus unprotected for 15 minutes while Klu Klux Klan surrounded the bus, assaulted the riders and set the bus on fire. (pgs. 48, 58-62) |
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John Seigenthaler : In 1961, Seigenthaler was assistant to Attorney General Robert Kennedy. He met with Martin Luther King, Jr and other civil rights leaders. He also participated in the Freedom Ride, where he sustained injuries, including a blow to the head. (pgs. 72-78) |
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Floyd Mann : Alabama public safety director, who stopped rioters who were beating John Lewis and John Siegenthaler during freedom ride bus stop in Montgomery, Alabama (pgs. 78-79). |
