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Working towards change and social justice with March: Book 2|
Discussion Questions: 1) How do characters support each other in face of violent opposition and racism? Which these strategies still feel relevant? Which ones feel outdated? How can we support others in the face of obstacles or injustices? 2) The song "We shall overcome" was an anthem to the civil rights movement. What would you like to see us overcome? What do you wish for the world? 3) Closely examine the frame on page 135. What is happening? If you were to write a caption for this, what would you say? |
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Historical Events in this section: "Operation Open City"Operation Open City was a movement to desegregate all areas of civic life, including schools, housing, and employment opportunities in Cairo, Illinois in 1962. Most of its energy focused on desegregating several local restaurants, the public swimming pool, and a roller skating rink. Efforts to access these institutions were met with resistance and sometimes violence. After numerous episodes of violence, Illinois Governor, Otto Kerner, Jr., ordered the city to desegregate in accordance with state law.
Voter Education Project began in 1962 following discussions between civil rights leaders and Attorney General Robert Kennedy, who believed that shifting focus from direct action to Voter Rights might further the movement while reducing violent confrontations in the South. Some civil rights leaders believed that voting would ultimately change systems of government, while others felt direct action (protest and marches) where the way to bring about change. The Voter Education Project sought to register Black southern voters and was successful in many communities. However, in some areas, including Mississippi, the VEP concluded that discrimination was so entrenched that only federal intervention could increase the number of black voters.
MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" In April 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. was imprisoned along with other civil rights activists while participating in marches and protests against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. for protests, marches and sit-ins against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. By April 12, King was in prison along with many of his fellow activists. While imprisoned King wrote an open letter defending the Birmingham protests. This letter, now known as his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is regarded as one of the greatest texts of the civil rights movement.
The Children's Crusade In Birmingham, Alabama on May 2, 1963 over a thousand students marched from the Sixth Street Baptist Church to downtown. Police lines met the young protestors downtown, where 100s of children were arrested and sent to jail in paddy wagons and school buses. On May 3rd, hundreds more young people gathered. In response, police commissioner Bull Connor directed local police and fire departments to use force to stop the demonstration. The nation was stunned by the images of children being blasted by fire hoses, clubbed by police, and attacked by police dogs that appeared on television and in newspapers. Despite the violence, children continued to march and protest. The crusade ended after intervention from the U.S. Department of Justice. The event moved President John F. Kennedy’s to express support for federal civil rights legislation and the eventual passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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People in today's reading: |
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Stokely Carmichael: Known as the philosopher behind the Black Power movement, Carmichael started as a rising young community organizer in the civil rights movement who spent summers in the South, working with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, known as SNCC (pgs. 112 & 117). |
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James "Jim Lawson": Reverend and civil rights advocate. He was integral in strategizing and planning during the Civil Rights Movement and in the 1960s, he served as a mentor to the Nashville Student Movement and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (pgs. 112 & 118). |
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Central figure in the Civil Rights Movement (pg. 113). |
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Robert Kennedy: Attorney General to President Kennedy (his brother). He met with civil rights leaders about civil rights legislation and had continued dialogue with leaders about the violence and division in the South (pg. 113) |
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Governor Ross Barnett: Mississippi governor from 1960 to 1964. He was known for upholding illegal segregation practices. (pg. 114). |
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Herbert Lee: Black farmer from Liberty, Mississippi who began working to register black voters and was murdered by E.H. Hurst in 1961. (pg. 115) |
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Danny Lyon: Photographer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) (pg. 120). |
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Alabama Governor George Wallace, Jr: During his inaugural address as governor of Alabama, George Wallace gained national attention when he pledged, “Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!” Martin Luther King described Wallace as “perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today." Wallace went on to serve as governor of Alabama into the 1980s and even ran for President (pg. 124). |
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Al Hibbler: Jazz musician and singer who is known for his deep baritone and a bridge between R&B and classic pop music. He was actively envolved in the civil rights movement, attending marches. He is also is blind (pg. 126). |
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Eugene "Bull" Connor: Chief of Police in Birmingham, Alabama. Known to be ill tempered, erratic and racist, he attacked Al Hibbler during Birmingham Campaign in spring of 1963. He arrested Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a peaceful protest. In response, King wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." (pg. 127). |
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James "Jim" Bevel: Civil rights leader, Freedom Rider, and organizer of the Children's March (pg. 131). |
