|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working towards change and social justice with March: Book 2|
Discussion Questions: 1) Yesterday's reading ended with the May 20, 1961 attach on Freedom Riders in Montgomery, Alabama (pgs 71-79). Aretha Franklin's performance of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" is used as a transition between the attack on the freedom riders and the 2009 presidential inauguration (pages 80-81). What are the connections and why might the authors and illustrator chose to visually connect these scenes? 2) What role does song serve in both the civil rights movement and in today's selection in particular? Examine pages 103-106, in particular. 3) Today's reading shows some of the resistance and brutality that the freedom riders encountered. How does this history connect and differ from the histories of other people seeking civil rights and social justice? |
|
Historical Events in this section: President Obama inauguration, 2009Presidential 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.
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.
Siege on the First Baptist Church Following the arrival of Freedom Riders who were met with violence at the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Montgomery, Alabama the church was besieged by 3,000 whites who threatened to burn it. In the basement, Dr. King called Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy while bricks and tear gas were thrown through the windows. The event played a crucial part in the desegregation of transportation.
|
|
People in today's reading: |
|
|
|
Aretha Franklin: an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who is dubbed the "Queen of Soul". She gave a memorable and thrilling performance of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" during President Obama's innaugruation (pgs. 79-82) |
 |
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: leader of the Civil Rights "Big 6". (pgs. 83-91, 95) |
 |
Governor John Patterson: Alabama Governor during the 1960s. He is known for (pg. 83) |
 |
James "Jim" Farmer: member of the Civil Rights "Big 6" and leader of CORE. Central to organizing Freedom Riders (pgs 84, 86, 90, 92) |
 |
Robert Kennedy: Attorney General to President Kennedy (his brother). He met with leaders about civil rights legislation. (pgs. 85-86, 95-96) |
 |
Diane Nash : Civil rights leader known for her involvement in the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). (pg. 86) |
 |
Fred Shuttlesworth: was a U.S. civil rights activist who led the fight against segregation as a minister in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and helped organize the Freedom Rides. (pg. 88) |
 |
Fred Jones: Superintendent of "Parchman Farm," the Mississippi State Penitentiary, known for cruel punishment of its prisoners. He led the inhumane treatment of many inmates, including the Freedom Riders. (pgs 99-101). |
 |
James "Jim" Bevel: Civil Rights leader, Freedom Rider, Bevel worked in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and later became the Director of Direct Action and of Nonviolent Education of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (pgs. 102). |
