Comprehensive Humanities, Civil Rights, and History Study Guide

Key Historical Timeline and Chronology

  • 1929: Formation of Bethune-Cookman College
    • Bethune-Cookman College was officially formed in 1929.
  • 1932: Beginning of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
    • The Tuskegee syphilis study officially began in 1932.
    • The study is recognized as being fundamentally unfair toward its human subjects.
  • 1955: Murder of Emmett Till
    • Emmett Till was murdered in 1955.
    • Accounts detail that he was dragged during the violent incident.
    • Clarification regarding the method of death: Emmett Till was not electrocuted; confusion regarding electrocution stems from mixing his story up with a different historical figure or execution.
  • 1957: Civil Rights Act
    • The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1957.
  • 1959: A Raisin in the Sun
    • A Raisin in the Sun was produced/published in 1959.
    • It serves as a core work of literature and film frequently assigned to high school students.
  • 1966: Founding of the Black Panther Party
    • The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966.
    • Categorized under contemporary history within the topic framework of "power and pain."
    • Key study requirements include knowing the founding year, how the party got started, and defining the nature of the Black Panther Party.

Social Movements, Feminism, and Women's Rights

  • Core Definition of Feminism
    • Feminism and feminist rights are defined as equality for everyone, specifically advocating equal rights for men, women, and all individuals.
    • Misconceptions vs. Reality:
      • Misconception: A belief exists that a feminist is "some big hairy woman that wants to bite men off."
      • Reality: Feminism simply means believing in equal rights and equality for men, women, and everyone.
  • Role of Eleanor Roosevelt
    • Eleanor Roosevelt (wife of President Roosevelt) intervened during a historical period when women lacked a formal political voice.
    • Her intervention marked a pivotal era in the formation and growth of the women's rights and feminist movement.

Humanities, Figures, and Literature

  • Zora Neale Hurston
    • Recognized as a prominent cultural and literary figure in the humanities.
  • Thurgood Marshall
    • Categorized under the "power and pain" historical topic.
    • Identified as a landmark Black judge in American judicial history.
  • A Raisin in the Sun
    • A major literary work from 1959 commonly studied in academic settings, either through reading the text or viewing the film adaptation.

Questions & Discussion

  • Discussion on the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and Executive Apology
    • Question/Prompt: What occurred during the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, and what was the official executive response?
    • Response & Details:
      • The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was acknowledged as deeply unfair.
      • A U.S. President publicly apologized to all survivors of the experiment who were still alive at the time of the announcement.
      • Eleanor Roosevelt intervened during this era, representing a crucial moment when women's rights and advocacy began taking shape despite women having no official voice.
  • Discussion on the Details of Emmett Till's Murder
    • Question/Prompt: What were the specific details of the story behind the murder of Emmett Till in 1955?
    • Response & Details:
      • Participants noted that he was dragged during the assault.
      • A query was raised asking if Emmett Till was electrocuted.
      • Clarification provided: Emmett Till was not electrocuted; that detail was a historical mix-up with another individual.