Module 1- The Civil Rights Movement: People
Embedded Files
Questions:
What actions did the Kennedy administration take regarding civil rights and the Civil Rights movement?
What actions did the Kennedy administration take regarding civil rights and the Civil Rights movement?
During the 1960 election Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested because of a sit-in. Kennedy had called him in to present his sympathy. Kennedy’s brother, Bobby, had called the judge in to set King free after a few days. From this, Bobby had known they were going to get bad backlash from his action, but he had also known he would gain support from the black community.
Why was President Kennedy reluctant to support civil rights? How did he want to have it “both ways?”
Why was President Kennedy reluctant to support civil rights? How did he want to have it “both ways?”
He was reluctant because he was afraid of people disliking him and throwing hate towards him and his reputation. “The Kennedy’s wanted [it] both ways. They wanted to appear to be our friends and they wanted to be the brake on our movement”. Although John Kennedy thought he had done more for black people than any other president.
What criticisms, positive or negative, did the Kennedy administration and/or the federal government face from the participants in the Civil Rights movement?
What criticisms, positive or negative, did the Kennedy administration and/or the federal government face from the participants in the Civil Rights movement?
President Kennedy sent hundreds of U.S. marshals to enforce a court order to admit African American James Meredith to the University of Mississippi in 1962. The marshals faced fierce resistance from violent segregationists. John Kennedy decided it was time to make a new civil rights bill. “Most of his advisers told him that it would be a terrible political mistake. But Robert advised him that the future of the country was at stake and urged him to go ahead with the bill.
How do each of these speeches describe the role played by the federal government in the Civil Rights movement?
How do each of these speeches describe the role played by the federal government in the Civil Rights movement?
These speeches are proof that Civil Rights for black people were not in their minds at the time. It makes them seem as though they would like to keep segregation and be racist to blacks for no certain reason. Black people didn’t know if they could leave their houses without being harassed because of this. Malcolm X explained that the people in the house had it easier than dark skinned people. Lighter black people had called their masters house theirs and the same with their master.
What is the role of the federal government in ensuring equal rights for African Americans, according to each of the different speakers?
What is the role of the federal government in ensuring equal rights for African Americans, according to each of the different speakers?
Events in Birmingham and other states led to violence. The Federal government had to speak out about it. The executive branch forthright that cases in the conduct of affairs. Unless Congress was to act on this it would’ve stated the same. Laws must get passed through Congress in order to be true and black people barley could vote for their own rights, so it was going to be a challenge either way.
What do each of the speakers think is the key to changing the second-class status of African Americans in American life?
What do each of the speakers think is the key to changing the second-class status of African Americans in American life?
They think that black people should’ve gotten the same rights at whites. It’s better to solve the matters in court rather than resorting to violence. Malcolm X informs us of Dr. King. He explained that Dr. King had went back and forth with someone and it turned out violent in Birmingham. Dr. King was key to not choosing violence but had no choice, it was either the rights or his rights. Black people got blamed for what white people did rather than them.
Based upon your prior knowledge of the status of African Americans in the United States at this time, and your analysis of the arguments in each speech, which speech or speaker gives the best explanation of the U.S. government's relationship to the Civil Rights movement?
Based upon your prior knowledge of the status of African Americans in the United States at this time, and your analysis of the arguments in each speech, which speech or speaker gives the best explanation of the U.S. government's relationship to the Civil Rights movement?
I believe that John F. Kennedy gave the best explanation/ speech. He was calm about it and wanted freedom for black people. I would think a black person who spoke would speak out to me more like Malcolm X. But John F. Kennedy spoke wisely, and it reflected on me more than the others.
Malcolm X Poster
Citations
Malcolm X, (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz).” U.S. and World Biography Online, Lincoln Library Press, 2017. FactCite, https://www.factcite.com/useh/3014491.html. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Harris, Laurie Lanzen. “Malcolm X.” Biography for Beginners Online, Lincoln Library Press, 2022. FactCite, https://www.factcite.com/biobegin/10016.html. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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