Voting Rights Today

Today in class we'll consider the legacy of Selma by completing this activity as part of your portfolio: Voting Rights 2017

For the remainder of class, students can work on Presidencies in Turmoil or begin their homework which is the first two sections of Country in Turmoil.

1965: Vietnam and Civil Rights Contd.

We started the day with a presentation from Vietnam Veteran Jon Schaefer.  Although we were unable to film his presentation today, here is a version from last year:
Jon Schaefer Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Then, after a conversation about Mr. Schaefer's presentation, we returned to the domestic issues of the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for voting rights by watching Eyes on the Prize: Selma, taking notes while we watched and finishing the "Youth in the Movement" reflection.

Freedom Summer and Malcolm X

We'll begin by watching Eyes on the Prize: Freedom Summer (Part I, Part II), taking notes and responding in our Youth in the Movement document (add Malcolm X to the list of people to pay attention to in the film).
Then, with your partner listed below, you'll work to compare the speeches that you read for homework today using this Venn Diagram. To do your comparison, begin by sharing the most compelling or interesting quotations from the speech (the ones you annotated) and then discuss the ideas that they represent. As you discuss, start to fill out the venn diagram with the similarities and differences between the ideas from each speech.
Then, together, discuss and answer the questions at the bottom of the sheet (and listed below). While you may discuss these questions together, each person should write out their own answers on the back of the venn diagram handout.

When finished comparing the two speeches, please respond to the following questions:

1. Which speech has the more effective message? Why?
2. In what ways might Malcolm X’s words appeal to the young men and women of SNCC working in Mississippi during Freedom Summer?  Which speech do you think is more appealing to them and why?

Read this Letter from Mecca that Malcolm X sends when he goes there on his hajj. In what ways does the letter contradict any of the ideas in either speech? In what ways does it enhance them?

Partners for today:

• Traia-Wyatt
• Andy-Holden
• Betsy-Nicole-Mason
• David-Danielle
• Ben-Emmett
• Aaron-Kate
• Rachel-Zach
• Haley-Jonah
• Matt F.-Brittany
• Marissa-Sarah
• Claire-John
• Matt G.-Jake

Dear America...

Today, we looked at the Vietnam War from the perspective of the people that were there by watching the first part of Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam.
The new assignment sheet is posted.

The Great Society

Today we'll finish our look at John Lewis' speech at the March on Washington and then expand our definition of "civil rights" by looking at President Johnson's plan of reform called "The Great Society".
Here is your portfolio task for today: Great Society Activity

March on Washington

Today we watched and read Martin Luther King, Jr's I Have a Dream speech and John Lewis' speech from the March on Washington. 
Annotated John Lewis Speech.

Letter From Birmingham City Jail

We'll start by reading the editorial that inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. to write the Letter From Birmingham City Jail. Then, after a quick response to it, hearing significant phrases and ideas from the letter, students will work with partners to complete this Document Analysis. Students may discuss their responses together, but must submit their own work with their portfolio.
At the end of class, we'll rewatch the clip from The Century: Poisoned Dreams about Birmingham and respond to section #4  in our Youth in the Movement response sheets.