April 16 (absent)
Q= How has America changed since the time of the Civil Rights Movement?
A= Transportation has expanded, racism has died down and equality has also grew into a wider variety of things. With expanding equality and understanding others it’s helped the negative mindset to be washed out in a way. We all finally understand that everyone deserves to be who they truly are and to live happily.
Emmett Till
Q= How has America changed since the time of the Civil Rights Movement?
A= Transportation has expanded, racism has died down and equality has also grew into a wider variety of things. With expanding equality and understanding others it’s helped the negative mindset to be washed out in a way. We all finally understand that everyone deserves to be who they truly are and to live happily.
Emmett Till
- 14 y/o black male (1955)
- Whistled at white woman running corner store
- Kidnapped + tortured
- open casket to show (gouged eye, dismembered face)
- dumped in lake, found days later
- recognized by ring on finger
- two men were acquitted in court
April 17
Q=What are American values? What makes us good guys? Why should people look up to Americans?
A=The most talked about value of an American is our freedom. We have a freedom of speech, religion, protest etc. That single right makes us great as a country. We give people the right to go ahead and say what they want to say, when they want to say it whether it’s foul or not. You have the opportunity to be who you are. I think everyone should at least have the ability to be what/who they want and to follow their dreams no matter what they are.
American Values
April 18
How did the racial divide in America begin and what is the legacy of slavery in this country?
A= I think when Columbus came to America and him and his people took over is when it all began. They were never civil to start with because of how the natives and darker races lived they saw them as uncivilized and savage. The whites have always been seen as the higher race in our textbooks because they owned people. And that ignorance is still around today.
We(Americans) are affected/infected by slavery
April 19
What was life like for African American citizens of Denver throughout the history of the city? How did African Americans thrive in an era of discrimination? How is Denver a better place because of its citizens of color?
A=The life for colored people in Colorado was just like the life of any colored person in a different state. In Colorado the fact that there was no signs around really stuck out. Everywhere else had ‘no blacks’ sign as well as ‘whites only’. In Colorado you were just supposed to know that you were to use the bathroom 4 blocks down. The children grew up not knowing why they could never go into that certain store but they stuck to that anyway. They knew that’s just how it was and they felt nothing could be done. The blacks have brought great food to Colorado, great music, and a great culture. Today our city is very diverse and full of millennials that accept each other.
April 20
What strategies did the nonviolent activists in Denver use to fight against racism, discrimination, and segregation in employment, housing, and education?
A= Activist in Denver organized peaceful protest and were ambushed by officials when doing so, they were attacked by chemicals and police batons, they were thrown down and rushed by crowds and they continued to have a peaceful mindset. They would look straight and continue on because at the end of the day it was the white man who was in poor in heart. Denver organized interracial groups to help fight against racism and discrimination, those groups fought for new laws that were passed and that have gotten us to where we are today
April 23
What was life like for African Americans in the Jim Crow South?
A=Everything was restricted for them. They had to use separate bathrooms and water fountains, they couldn't go to certain stores or restaurants and they couldn't have specific jobs. There was separate schools and the blacks were to sit in the back of the bus and in the back of movie theaters as well. They were threatened if they were to even look at a white person, they had no freedom in America.
<americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/remembering/laws.html>
I chose this image because it was one of the first to pop up and it caught my eye. I scrolled for a minute and could only think about this one picture. To me, he just looks so sad and its deeper than a sad look he looks like he's giving up like there's no point because everywhere he goes to find a job, that's the sign he’ll see. He has to support a family just like the white man does and he also has bills to pay just as the white man does. I can’t even imagine at all how it was like, especially for the black men at this time. The whole world against them and they’re just trying to put food on the table. They weren’t aloud to pursuit their own happiness whether it was falling in love with a white woman or working at the best bakery in town. It must’ve been like living in a box. Things like this manifest emotional damage. It sucks to know that they themselves knew that they were worth as much alive than they were dead, thinking that they had no purpose in life, no place in america.
April 24
Q=What were the key events of the Civil Rights Movement and who were the people who participated in the struggle for justice?
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LkFo9xmk_FRan77oYcwe3mPQcfKNn_pglwzEP2INF7c/edit?usp=sharing>
Q=What are American values? What makes us good guys? Why should people look up to Americans?
A=The most talked about value of an American is our freedom. We have a freedom of speech, religion, protest etc. That single right makes us great as a country. We give people the right to go ahead and say what they want to say, when they want to say it whether it’s foul or not. You have the opportunity to be who you are. I think everyone should at least have the ability to be what/who they want and to follow their dreams no matter what they are.
American Values
- Freedom- speak, think, no authoritative punishment, religion
- well being of others and self
- choices
- security
- privacy
- truth
- rule of law
- equal protection of the law
April 18
How did the racial divide in America begin and what is the legacy of slavery in this country?
A= I think when Columbus came to America and him and his people took over is when it all began. They were never civil to start with because of how the natives and darker races lived they saw them as uncivilized and savage. The whites have always been seen as the higher race in our textbooks because they owned people. And that ignorance is still around today.
We(Americans) are affected/infected by slavery
- ideology by white supremacy
- brutalization / terrorism
- pain & anguish , humiliation
- kids killed/ unarmed people killed
- it has scared us, bruised us
- we are not yet free
- we do not yet have justice
April 19
What was life like for African American citizens of Denver throughout the history of the city? How did African Americans thrive in an era of discrimination? How is Denver a better place because of its citizens of color?
A=The life for colored people in Colorado was just like the life of any colored person in a different state. In Colorado the fact that there was no signs around really stuck out. Everywhere else had ‘no blacks’ sign as well as ‘whites only’. In Colorado you were just supposed to know that you were to use the bathroom 4 blocks down. The children grew up not knowing why they could never go into that certain store but they stuck to that anyway. They knew that’s just how it was and they felt nothing could be done. The blacks have brought great food to Colorado, great music, and a great culture. Today our city is very diverse and full of millennials that accept each other.
April 20
What strategies did the nonviolent activists in Denver use to fight against racism, discrimination, and segregation in employment, housing, and education?
A= Activist in Denver organized peaceful protest and were ambushed by officials when doing so, they were attacked by chemicals and police batons, they were thrown down and rushed by crowds and they continued to have a peaceful mindset. They would look straight and continue on because at the end of the day it was the white man who was in poor in heart. Denver organized interracial groups to help fight against racism and discrimination, those groups fought for new laws that were passed and that have gotten us to where we are today
April 23
What was life like for African Americans in the Jim Crow South?
A=Everything was restricted for them. They had to use separate bathrooms and water fountains, they couldn't go to certain stores or restaurants and they couldn't have specific jobs. There was separate schools and the blacks were to sit in the back of the bus and in the back of movie theaters as well. They were threatened if they were to even look at a white person, they had no freedom in America.
<americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/remembering/laws.html>
I chose this image because it was one of the first to pop up and it caught my eye. I scrolled for a minute and could only think about this one picture. To me, he just looks so sad and its deeper than a sad look he looks like he's giving up like there's no point because everywhere he goes to find a job, that's the sign he’ll see. He has to support a family just like the white man does and he also has bills to pay just as the white man does. I can’t even imagine at all how it was like, especially for the black men at this time. The whole world against them and they’re just trying to put food on the table. They weren’t aloud to pursuit their own happiness whether it was falling in love with a white woman or working at the best bakery in town. It must’ve been like living in a box. Things like this manifest emotional damage. It sucks to know that they themselves knew that they were worth as much alive than they were dead, thinking that they had no purpose in life, no place in america.
April 24
Q=What were the key events of the Civil Rights Movement and who were the people who participated in the struggle for justice?
- Montgomery Bus boycott~ Rosa Parks
- Albany movement~ NAACP
- Bloody Sunday~ John Lewis, Hosea Williams
- Chicago Freedom movement~ MLK jr., Richard Daley
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LkFo9xmk_FRan77oYcwe3mPQcfKNn_pglwzEP2INF7c/edit?usp=sharing>
April 27
What strategies were used and what strengths did ordinary people possess that led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
A= Most people organized car pools instead of taking the bus or even resulted to walking. There was a point in time when the buss' were empty. No one was using them. Some whites had joined with the blacks and bus officials had meetings with government officials, black civilians were arrested and beaten (during protests).
April 30
What are the effects of racial discrimination on the body, mind, and spirit of the people who experience it?
A= When you're not given the same opportunities and the same support than you won't perform as well as those who have that support and the opportunity. If you're told that you're stupid and that another race is better than you, that's what you're going to think. You'll feel small and your confidence will go gown tremendously, but if you're told that you do everything better and that are better than another race; not just one person a whole race, then you're going to fell like you have power. With that power you're going to get stuff done faster and feel better about yourself.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/>
May 1
Can separate races be equal races? What was said to justify segregation?
A= Honestly, in my opinion, separate races will never be equal races. Today legally we have to be but there's always going to be that thought of "blacks will never be as good". Some people use religion as a justification to be racist and slander other races, they say that verses' in the bible explain that God has tainted the black race and made them inferior so therefore Whites are better than the blacks and every other race.
May 2
What should we expect of elected leaders when extremists act out of hatred and bigotry?
A=
How do historians sort through the historical evidence to draw conclusions about what happened in the past and to make meaning of it?
A=
May 4
When dealing with hate groups do you ignore them hoping they'll go away OR will they only come back stronger?
A= When dealing with anything negative you have to address it head on. If you ignore problems in hopes that it's going to resolve them, it's going to do nothing but make you a bigger target. It said in a documentary, if the white supremacists are willing to use violence, it'll keep the blacks in the black communities. Thus, stopping them from coming to theirs. If African Americans had never fought for their rights where would they be today? It was the movements that were started, the groups that were formed and a lot more that helped fight against segregation, discrimination and public bigotry. If they were to just ignore what all had happened the white people would rule the world today, they wouldn't have stopped beating the weak; if they were weak.
May 7
What are the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement?
A=*Government support of segregation in the public -ended-
*Black candidates were now aloud to run for political offices"
A= "I had to worry about what they would throw today if it would be hot soup, would it ruin the dress my grandmother made for me?" continuously hearing nigger , whether you were black or white you wouldn't go a day without hearing it. No one congratulated you when you had accomplished something big because you were colored. They had lost a sense of their dignity, they dealt with verbal harassment as well as physical and overall were isolated from society. They lived everyday life in constant fear, would they be burned, would they be stalked, would they be beaten on?
What strategies were used and what strengths did ordinary people possess that led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
A= Most people organized car pools instead of taking the bus or even resulted to walking. There was a point in time when the buss' were empty. No one was using them. Some whites had joined with the blacks and bus officials had meetings with government officials, black civilians were arrested and beaten (during protests).
April 30
What are the effects of racial discrimination on the body, mind, and spirit of the people who experience it?
A= When you're not given the same opportunities and the same support than you won't perform as well as those who have that support and the opportunity. If you're told that you're stupid and that another race is better than you, that's what you're going to think. You'll feel small and your confidence will go gown tremendously, but if you're told that you do everything better and that are better than another race; not just one person a whole race, then you're going to fell like you have power. With that power you're going to get stuff done faster and feel better about yourself.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/>
May 1
Can separate races be equal races? What was said to justify segregation?
A= Honestly, in my opinion, separate races will never be equal races. Today legally we have to be but there's always going to be that thought of "blacks will never be as good". Some people use religion as a justification to be racist and slander other races, they say that verses' in the bible explain that God has tainted the black race and made them inferior so therefore Whites are better than the blacks and every other race.
- Rev William Carter- segregation was in the bible. God cursed black people, it's what he wanted
- Autherine Lucy - she was the first African american to attend Arkansas
May 2
What should we expect of elected leaders when extremists act out of hatred and bigotry?
A=
How do historians sort through the historical evidence to draw conclusions about what happened in the past and to make meaning of it?
A=
May 4
When dealing with hate groups do you ignore them hoping they'll go away OR will they only come back stronger?
A= When dealing with anything negative you have to address it head on. If you ignore problems in hopes that it's going to resolve them, it's going to do nothing but make you a bigger target. It said in a documentary, if the white supremacists are willing to use violence, it'll keep the blacks in the black communities. Thus, stopping them from coming to theirs. If African Americans had never fought for their rights where would they be today? It was the movements that were started, the groups that were formed and a lot more that helped fight against segregation, discrimination and public bigotry. If they were to just ignore what all had happened the white people would rule the world today, they wouldn't have stopped beating the weak; if they were weak.
May 7
What are the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement?
A=*Government support of segregation in the public -ended-
- schools joined together legally
- universities recruited blacks to introduce diversity and to rid discrimination within schools
- burning flags/crosses/banners
- kkk groups
- lynchings
- bragging of white on black violence
- blacks were required to take a test that white government officials couldn't even pass, they were set for failure
*Black candidates were now aloud to run for political offices"
- they were given a chance to be in a position of power
A= "I had to worry about what they would throw today if it would be hot soup, would it ruin the dress my grandmother made for me?" continuously hearing nigger , whether you were black or white you wouldn't go a day without hearing it. No one congratulated you when you had accomplished something big because you were colored. They had lost a sense of their dignity, they dealt with verbal harassment as well as physical and overall were isolated from society. They lived everyday life in constant fear, would they be burned, would they be stalked, would they be beaten on?
May 8
Q=How did the Black Panthers view their work and what did they endure and sacrifice for their work?
A= The Black Panthers sacrificed their daily lives to be committed to their movement. They had to stay strong and keep their heads hard, they stood up and showed self-defense for black people as whole. They had to endure the hate from racist police officers, oppression and poverty. Their viewed their work as necessary, as it was. They would spend day by day 'cop watching'
they would follow cops to the point where they would have to pull someone over and effectively show their weapons while carrying law books to present their rights if needed.
May 9
Q= What actions can people, communities, and institutions take to fight back against discrimination and bigotry?
A= To fight against discrimination we need to come together as a whole, as one. To better education in all areas and to have more job opportunities available so there's not a bias between how blacks are "lazy" and/or "dumb". Maybe if we all had the same opportunities we would see each other as equal but we don't have that. The white people get better opportunities and think they're better as a whole aside from all the other factors involved.
"This case is about quality of education and making sure that quality is uniform no matter what color your skin is or where you live,"
May 10
Q=Is the past really past? How can the inequality of today be explained by the inequality of yesterday?
A= Honestly I think the past will never be the past, everyone keeps it in the present by continuing to bring up slavery and stuff like that in a negative way. The older generation throw sit in their grand kids ears and I think that's how it keeps the cycle. I don't think anyone is born racist, I believe they are influenced to believe what they are told at a young age. If your parents listen to rock music, you will most likely like rock music and if your parents hate black people, you will probably also hate black people. It's the older generation passing it on and then the youth spreading it to their group of friends until it becomes what it used to be.
May 14
Q=In what ways was the Chicano Rights Movement (El Movimiento) similar to the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans?
A= They were both highly discriminated and dealt with unnecessary hate. Both the black and Mexican races had trouble voting, finding jobs and simply walking down the street. Mexicans were also on the farms picking crops for the owners of the land, as well as being hung for punishment. They both went through very similar hate crimes and daily struggles. They were stuck at the bottom of the political barrel so therefore, they had zero power and initially zero voice.
May 15
Q=What was the experience of Chicano students in Denver and what did activists do to promote change?
A= Most student in high schools in metro Denver were constantly harassed by teachers about how they weren't capable of learning correctly or in an efficient way. They weren't aloud to speak the language that they were familiar with, instead they were paddled by teachers. Activist were determined to be apart of the political decisions
Q=How did the Black Panthers view their work and what did they endure and sacrifice for their work?
A= The Black Panthers sacrificed their daily lives to be committed to their movement. They had to stay strong and keep their heads hard, they stood up and showed self-defense for black people as whole. They had to endure the hate from racist police officers, oppression and poverty. Their viewed their work as necessary, as it was. They would spend day by day 'cop watching'
they would follow cops to the point where they would have to pull someone over and effectively show their weapons while carrying law books to present their rights if needed.
May 9
Q= What actions can people, communities, and institutions take to fight back against discrimination and bigotry?
A= To fight against discrimination we need to come together as a whole, as one. To better education in all areas and to have more job opportunities available so there's not a bias between how blacks are "lazy" and/or "dumb". Maybe if we all had the same opportunities we would see each other as equal but we don't have that. The white people get better opportunities and think they're better as a whole aside from all the other factors involved.
"This case is about quality of education and making sure that quality is uniform no matter what color your skin is or where you live,"
- All children and young people should be given the same resources and opportunities
- Back then it was segregated based on race now it's based on your social class, which of course most wealthy people are white and most poor people are black
- This is a good example of why we need to act on violence and try to nip it in the bud, instead of letting it happen hoping it'll stop! Because this example is saying it like they were training black people if they were dogs, that's disgusting.
May 10
Q=Is the past really past? How can the inequality of today be explained by the inequality of yesterday?
A= Honestly I think the past will never be the past, everyone keeps it in the present by continuing to bring up slavery and stuff like that in a negative way. The older generation throw sit in their grand kids ears and I think that's how it keeps the cycle. I don't think anyone is born racist, I believe they are influenced to believe what they are told at a young age. If your parents listen to rock music, you will most likely like rock music and if your parents hate black people, you will probably also hate black people. It's the older generation passing it on and then the youth spreading it to their group of friends until it becomes what it used to be.
May 14
Q=In what ways was the Chicano Rights Movement (El Movimiento) similar to the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans?
A= They were both highly discriminated and dealt with unnecessary hate. Both the black and Mexican races had trouble voting, finding jobs and simply walking down the street. Mexicans were also on the farms picking crops for the owners of the land, as well as being hung for punishment. They both went through very similar hate crimes and daily struggles. They were stuck at the bottom of the political barrel so therefore, they had zero power and initially zero voice.
- In new mexico they had to fight to reclaim land of their ancestors.
- Without political power they were stuck in poverty
- They picked through crops and traveled to look for the next land
- They were denied the right to vote due to taxes, and literacy tests, (couldn't speak English)
- Harassed - charged with petty crimes
- physical punishment, lynchings
- reluctant to fight for civil rights
- people feared losing their jobs
- mid 40's - Mexican soldiers returned from WWII - returned to discrimination
- in their history books their Mexican history was shown as laziness and stated all the bad things
- they weren't aloud to speak Spanish in their schools
- South Texas power structure vs. Chicanos
- Texas rangers = intimidates + kills
- the group slipped after the men decided they didn't want to anymore and the women became the decision makers, they were stronger organizers and recruiters
May 15
Q=What was the experience of Chicano students in Denver and what did activists do to promote change?
A= Most student in high schools in metro Denver were constantly harassed by teachers about how they weren't capable of learning correctly or in an efficient way. They weren't aloud to speak the language that they were familiar with, instead they were paddled by teachers. Activist were determined to be apart of the political decisions
May 16
Q=Who was Corky Gonzales and what did he do to fight for civil rights for Chicanos in Denver?
A= Corky Gonzales "I am Joaquin" brought a significant meaning and recognition of the Chicano culture. He wanted the people to understand the beauty of their history. He worked in a slaughter house and boxed, the boxing was a key to a better life for him. He was a media hero and every punch he threw was photographed and put into the papers. Due to his success in boxing he was called "a credit to his race". He was raised by a single father and was taught to live up to your principles, he grew up poor and was told his character was all he had to shine, basically, From that, I'm assuming is what made him into the great person he is. He taught to children their self worth, he got involved with the kids in the poor communities, the ghettos and that's where he felt more comfortable. The most important message was be to known, we wont be treated like animals, subdued or bent. He had to stay strong and continue to influence the youth to fight for their rights and what they deserved.
-leadership development ( to help young people become leaders)
-1972 - Crusade building blown up by police officials
May 17
Q= When seeking change why do some choose violence and some choose nonviolence?
A= Some people think that violence will get them further faster. They see nonviolence as a stand still, a way to keep them in the same place like if it gets them absolutely nowhere. On the other hand, MLK seen nonviolence as more effective because aggressive will not get you anywhere as far as negotiating equality. He seen that you can' fight fir with fire and equality starts with understanding and not by over powering the other race.
May 21
Q=What are the institutions in our society that perpetuate racism, how does it affect the people of this country, and what can be done about it?
A= Housing is one of the biggest institutions, home owners that reject minorities from renting their homes/properties. As well as officials in the justice system. A black man will spend twice the time incarcerated vs a white man committing the same crime. At the end of the day the judge will initially choose your sentence. Putting the white man over the black man is seen in every situation. The black man gets a larger sentence, a lower paying position at the same job and is always second, never first. Maybe in sports. That's the only opportunity society acknowledges for the black race. You're a football player or a rapper and unless your job application makes the employer assume that you're white, you won't get a call back.
- Integration was seen as unstable, if your neighborhood was diverse it was dangerous
Q=Who was Corky Gonzales and what did he do to fight for civil rights for Chicanos in Denver?
A= Corky Gonzales "I am Joaquin" brought a significant meaning and recognition of the Chicano culture. He wanted the people to understand the beauty of their history. He worked in a slaughter house and boxed, the boxing was a key to a better life for him. He was a media hero and every punch he threw was photographed and put into the papers. Due to his success in boxing he was called "a credit to his race". He was raised by a single father and was taught to live up to your principles, he grew up poor and was told his character was all he had to shine, basically, From that, I'm assuming is what made him into the great person he is. He taught to children their self worth, he got involved with the kids in the poor communities, the ghettos and that's where he felt more comfortable. The most important message was be to known, we wont be treated like animals, subdued or bent. He had to stay strong and continue to influence the youth to fight for their rights and what they deserved.
- 1967- Crusade for justice -social services (food, housing)
-leadership development ( to help young people become leaders)
- Relation w/ the police -was always uneasy , peaceful education demonstrations ended in violence
-1972 - Crusade building blown up by police officials
- 1983- Denver elected first Hispanic mayor (Fredrico Peno) -organized and mobilized that people who had never in their lives voted, voted
May 17
Q= When seeking change why do some choose violence and some choose nonviolence?
A= Some people think that violence will get them further faster. They see nonviolence as a stand still, a way to keep them in the same place like if it gets them absolutely nowhere. On the other hand, MLK seen nonviolence as more effective because aggressive will not get you anywhere as far as negotiating equality. He seen that you can' fight fir with fire and equality starts with understanding and not by over powering the other race.
May 21
Q=What are the institutions in our society that perpetuate racism, how does it affect the people of this country, and what can be done about it?
A= Housing is one of the biggest institutions, home owners that reject minorities from renting their homes/properties. As well as officials in the justice system. A black man will spend twice the time incarcerated vs a white man committing the same crime. At the end of the day the judge will initially choose your sentence. Putting the white man over the black man is seen in every situation. The black man gets a larger sentence, a lower paying position at the same job and is always second, never first. Maybe in sports. That's the only opportunity society acknowledges for the black race. You're a football player or a rapper and unless your job application makes the employer assume that you're white, you won't get a call back.
- Integration was seen as unstable, if your neighborhood was diverse it was dangerous
May 22
Q=What actions can people, communities, and institutions take to fight back against racism and discrimination? What do you personally pledge to do to actively resist racism?
A= People should look within themselves and fix their own flaws and their biases. They need to not judge as soon as they look at a person, that natural instinct to right away talk down about them. To see a black man walking and say 'oh he don't have a car he's too lazy to get a job and work', while he's walking to work. You have no idea what's on the other side of the door when you just simply look at someone. I personally have worked on that myself, to not automatically judge people without thinking twice about what their situation could be. We need to start having faith in the black race and to have hope in our surrounding black communities especially the kids. Most people will look at a young black male and assume he's going to drop out of school in the 8th grade, you need to motivate these kids because if they think that's what they're cut out to be then that's what they'll become and society is doing that. Encourage them that they will succeed and they will do good in life because if you don't they'll end up behind bars just like the racist society wants. Take away your biases and your judge-mental thoughts. I think that's the key is to understand everyone's point of view or to at least try, don't assume the worst about them right away.