MODULE 12
Document 177. Rec. William H. Border, Confronting Segregation
-montgomery bus boycott launched movement for racial justice as nonviolent crusade based in the black churches
-group of black ministers took seats in the front rows of a city bus and refused to move, in defiance of local law
-william h borders made it clear to embrace the doctrine of nonviolence associated with matin luther king jr
-he had taken part in movements that convinced the city’s mayor to hire black police officers and to encourage black residents of atlanta to register to vote.
-in what ways does borders testimony reflect his religious beliefs
Borders’ commitment to nonviolence not only highlights his adherence to Martin Luther King Jr.'s principles but also underscores his faith-driven conviction that peace, rather than aggression, is the path to justice and equality.
-in what ways does borders appeal for white support of the boycott?
Borders articulates the urgency of the movement, emphasizing that true justice cannot be achieved without the solidarity and involvement of all races. He appeals to white individuals by framing the boycott as a collective moral duty that transcends racial divides, encouraging them to recognize the inherent value of equality and human dignity for every individual.
Document 178. John F. Kennedy, Speech on Civil Rights (1963)
-two black students admitted to university of alabama
-kennedy shows little leadership on the issue of civil rights
-he announced his intention to ask congress to enact legislation prohibiting discrimination in public accomodations
-spoke with moral urgency
-opposition quickly emerged
-why do you think kennedy places so much emphasis on freedom in this speech?
In his address, Kennedy underscores freedom as a fundamental human right, suggesting that the struggle for liberty transcends national borders and compels us to act for the greater good of humanity.
-why does kennedy say that the crisis is essential “moral,” rather than political or legal?
Kennedy emphasizes the moral aspect of the crisis to highlight that the challenges faced are rooted in ethical dilemmas, wherein the true test of our character lies in our response to injustice and the protection of human dignity, rather than merely adhering to political or legal frameworks.
Document 180. Barry M. Goldwater, “Extremism in the Defense of Liberty” (1964)
-barry m goldwater wrote the conscience of a conservative which demanded a more aggressive conduct of the cold war and warned against “internal” dangers to freedom, especially the new deal welfare state
-extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice
-his campaign aroused enthusiasm in rapidly expanding suburbs of southern california and the southwest
-what evidence does goldwater give of a decline of “morality” in american life?
Goldwater cites increasing crime rates, the rise of juvenile delinquency, and the breakdown of the family structure as key indicators of moral decline in society.
-why does goldwater stress the interconnection between “order” and liberty?
He argues that without a certain level of order, individual liberties can be threatened, as chaos may lead to the erosion of personal freedoms and rights, ultimately undermining the very fabric of a democratic society.
Document 179. Malcolm X, “The Ballot or the Bullet” (1964)
-malcolm “x” symbolizes black americans loss of african heritage
-advocate of black nationalism and racial separation and rejected the civil rights movement’s advocacy of integration and nonviolence
-had broken with the nation of islam and began to embrace the idea of working with white allies
-how do malcolm x’s language and outlook differ from those of king in the previous chapter?
Malcolm X's rhetoric is more direct and confrontational, emphasizing empowerment through self-defense and the necessity of achieving rights by any means necessary, whereas King advocates for nonviolent resistance and integration as pathways to racial equality.
-why does malcolm x believe the civil rights movement needs a “new interpretation”
He argues that the original goals of the movement have lost momentum and that a more aggressive approach is needed to address the systemic injustices faced by the black community, suggesting that the struggle for equality requires a reassessment of strategies that have proven ineffective in the past.
Document 182. The Port Huron Statement (1962)
-one of the most influential documents from 1960s emerged from a meeting sponsored by the students for a democratic society
-new left was a vision of social change
-participatory democracy became a standard by which students judged existing social arrangements and found them wanting
-what features of american society seem most to trouble the authors of the port huron statement?
widespread inequality in wealth and opportunity, along with systemic racism and militarism, which they believed undermined the democratic ideals of the nation.
-how would you define the phrase “a democracy of individual participation”?
This phrase refers to a political system where each citizen has an active role in shaping policies and decisions, ensuring their voices are heard and valued within the democratic process.
-Document 193. Phyllis Schlafly, “The Draud of the Equal Rights Amendment” (1972)
-first major conservative victories of the 1970s was the defeat of the equal rights amendment, a proposed change in the constitution that would have affirmed that the “equality of rights under the law”
-amendment offered a guarantee of women’s right to participate fully in public life
-many claimed it would subject women to the military draft and let men “off the hook” by denying their responsibility to provide for their wives and children.
-why does schlafly believe that the equal rights amendment will actually harm women?
Schlafly argues that the ERA would undermine traditional family structures by removing protections that specifically benefit women, such as alimony and child support, and force women into combat roles.
-how does schlafly’s picture of the status of american women differ from that proposed by the equal rights amendment?
Schlafly contends that American women are already empowered and do not need additional legal protections, whereas the ERA suggests that women are still disadvantaged and in need of equal treatment under the law.