Assignment for Friday the 27th,

1. We talk about the Harlem Renaissance again in this class but based on our lectures, how did it contribute to a different perspective of African Americans during the 1920’s and so forth.

Okay first off I am not 100% sure what this question is looking for but in my personal opinion i think the Harlem Renaissance opened so many doors for those who were alive to witness it. The realization that there were so many creative outlets for African Americans helped so many find new ways to focus their time as well as using the arts as an outlet to continue gaining support for the movement. I know this isn't in the material but I think by opening these doors to so many in these harsh conditions, it was used as a means to get so much off their chest. rather than result to violence and anger to display their distaste for their treatment, people were able to use poetry and other forms of wrote word to display their pent up aggression.

2. Define the Civil Rights Movement?


The civil rights movement was essentially a nationwide awakening of African Americans who had been subjected to unfair and unjust treatment for far too long. This movement prompted the amendment of laws and rules to provide equality nationwide. As we all know, this did not come easy, much blood, sweat, and tears were shed... and continue to be shed. Altogether, the civil rights movement forced America to recognize blacks as deserving of equal treatment. Though this equality is still disputed to today, strides have been made... disputably in both directions though, for the good and the bad. In a sense, the civil rights movement is STILL in effect, people are STILL fighting to make sure their civil liberties aren't infringed upon.


3. What event occurred in Mississippi that brought the collective spirit of the nation together in 1955? Had you heard about this before you came to this class?

The murder of Emmett Till prompted this nationwide union. I, in fact, had heard of this before we touched on it in class. I had heard about it in school during high school and actually watched a couple documentaries about the events and read a ton of information online, so i had a pretty solid concept of the whole situation. This event will continue to standout in my head for as long as i live, the fact that these men were able to continue on living their lives as if nothing happened... while this poor kid lived his last moments being abused, in the presence of true evil, all because he whistled! The one part that I found very satisfying in my research was that he didn't back down to these grown men. Emmett Till was fearless in his last hours, he wasn't scared of those men. This event in my opinion truly sparked the civil rights movement.



4. What is SNCC? It appears they began the movement espousing one philosophy and ended following a very different concept. Please explain

SNCC stands for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. SNCC played a major role in sit-ins and "freedom rides." They founded much of their beliefs on a strong will to rebel without violence. This only lasted for so long though, after all the abuse much of the members were faced with, some began to question their non-violent ways. This prompted a major divide in the party, many supported their original belief, and a vast number also supported the idea that they should combat violence with violence.


5. In one of your readings illustrated the similarities and differences of Malcolm and Martin. Please read the following passage and summarize how their life experiences helped develop their personal philosophies.

The fact that both men are the products of such a harsh time where a whole culture was in dire need of a leader, someone to give them direction, alone proves that their life experiences controlled their personal philosophies mainly... if not solely. These men stood up to the task. From the reading one would perceive their honest views were more similar than previously thought to be. They both acknowledged or appreciated the other's views to the same degree.