This week we will be tackling a period in history that had been brewing since the end of the Civil War, the culmination of a whole lot of unconstitutional laws, racial inequality and injustice that came to a boiling point in the 1950’s into the 1960’s. We’ll be talking about how the civil rights movement took hold in America and how apartheid (1948-1990’s) ended in Africa during this study. To be prepared for class do the following:
In Story of the World read the following sections:
Read Chapter 32, section “One Country, Two Different Worlds”
Chapter 36, section “Civil Rights”
Chapter 42, section “Africa, Independent”
Watch this video that includes historical photos from the Civil Rights movement and listen to Peter Seeger, a popular folk singer of the era, perform what is considered to be the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, “We Shall Overcome.” Why do you think this song became the anthem of this movement?
Read Martin Luther King Jr’s famous speech, “I Have a Dream” — print it and underline areas that stand out to you. Why was this speech so impactful? Why do you think it is still often talked about and quoted today? Be prepared to discuss in class.
This riddle below is cluing you in to an invention that took place in the 1950’s, solve the riddle and be prepared to tell me in class what the invention is:
I’m a child of post-war innovation,
Born from a moment of consternation.
At a table where wallets were bare,
A new idea sparked in the air.
Thin as a dime, but worth so much more,
I opened a path to every store.
No jingle of coins, no rustle of green,
Just a promise to pay, sight unseen.
In the decade of fins and chrome,
I made the world feel more like home.
From New York City to lands afar,
I traveled farther than any car.
I grew from a club to a global sensation,
Changing the face of every nation.
With numbers and name, I hold the key,
To purchases made with just a plea.
Silent and slim, I hide in plain sight,
Ready for day or the darkest night.
What am I, this financial phantom?
A 1950s solution, now taken for granted.
Time to show what you learned! I would like you to write a 250-500 word persuasive editorial as if you were living during the civil rights era. Choose a topic from the era that you would like to advocate OR speak out against.
An editorial is an article written to express a person’s views on a specific topic to hopefully
influence other readers’ opinions. These are traditionally written by the editor of a newspaper but many publications allow for guest writers.
Because editorials are generally written by professional writers these are not overly emotional pieces written that talk a lot about feelings (statements like “I am so sad to see our black brothers and sisters denied the vote) but rather they make statements and would need to be able to back up their claims (such as citing the constitution and detailing how denying the vote to black people goes against our country’s founding). Do you get the difference? Don’t be “sad,” provide evidence and be PERSUASIVE. Show the reader why they should agree with your point of view.
This may require a little extra research on a topic from the reading, ideas for your editorial include, but are not limited to:
-The Montgomery Bus Boycott and its impact on the Civil Rights Movement
-The significance of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision
-The role of nonviolent protest in advancing civil rights
-The importance of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech
-The effects of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on American society
-The Selma to Montgomery marches and their influence on the Voting Rights Act of 1965
-The impact of media coverage on public opinion during the Civil Rights era
The format for your editorial is:
Headline: Create a compelling title that captures the essence of your editorial.
Introduction: Begin with a hook to engage your readers. Introduce the topic and clearly state your thesis or main argument.
Body Paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Present your first supporting point. Use evidence from historical sources, such as primary documents, speeches, or scholarly articles, to back up your argument.
Paragraph 2: Discuss a second supporting point. Again, provide evidence and examples to strengthen your position.
Paragraph 3: Address a counterargument or opposing viewpoint. Acknowledge it respectfully and explain why you believe your argument is stronger.
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a powerful way. End with a call to action or a thought-provoking statement that encourages readers to reflect on the importance of the issue.
You will be sharing these in groups in class AND giving me a printed copy at the start of class. We will absolutely be voting for who in our group wrote the most persuasive (backed by evidence) editorial and they will get a chance to share it with the entire class.
Finally, watch this short movie clip from Sister Craig. In it she talks about her experience with increasing her capacity to see others as God sees them. I can’t help but think that so many of the worlds problems could be avoided by simply seeing others as a brother, sister and child of God. How many wars could have been avoided, how many conflicts would have ended before they began by following this simple practice?
This week I want you to catch yourself thinking any thought that limit yourself or people around you. Watch out for thoughts that categorize people or paint a harsh or untrue picture of them. Pray for Heavenly Father to help you see others as He sees them. Pray for opportunities to include, invite and look out for those who may be different from you or those who are often overlooked or made fun of. I think it’s easy to behave like that at safe places like Vanguard, but what about at church? at the grocery store or at work?
Be aware and prayerful of seeing others as God sees them and taking action on that principle this week. I would love if someone could share how this experience made a difference for them this week! I will ask in class 🙂
