Presentation groups and order. From Mike Lohre

Wednesday, Dec. 2

1. Chris and Joe
2. Dixon and Bianca
3. Allison and Emily
4. Devon and Amber

Monday, Dec. 7

1. Jared and Lillie
2. Jenny and Abby
3. Omar and Zeb
4. Cole and Brian

Wednesday, Dec. 9

1. Rachel and Brian
2. NIcole and Brayden
3. Miquel and Charlie
4. Andrea and Amanda

Exploration 7 Ain't Scared of Your Jails- Jenny Kitzler

I learned how hard it was to change our society not even seventy years ago. People worked hard to get where they are today and we still don't have 100% equality. I would connect this to todays world with the new marriage equality laws that we just passed. A couple of the quotes from the movie that stuck out to me were "Be cool mother, be cool." The boys mother was terrified for the safety of her son, but she knew that he had to do this to make a difference. Another on was from Mayor West, " I had to decide whether my morals as a man was more important than what the city expected from me."

I found it unbelievable that 4,000 people participated in the march on Jefferson St.
I believe that the sit in was very effective because even though they arrested the four students sitting at the counter, another wave of students arrived directly, and another once they were arrested, and the cycle continued and the jails were filled.

Ain't Scared of Your Jails - Bianca Lawson

From the documentary "Ain't Scared of Your Jails" I learned about the civil rights moment in Nashville Tennessee, and about some of the most influential people that were a part of this movement. Taught non-violence action by Jim Lawson, black students such as Diane Nash in Nashville began sit-ins at lunch counters downtown. These sit-ins were non-violent, but they were met with violence by angry white citizens. Many white people in the town felt that they had a right to deny service to others: "I also think that it is in violation to my civil rights if someone can say you must serve me. If you own -- If a man owns an eating establishment, if he can't choose whom he pleases to serve or not to serve, that can affect me and you and anyone else." Throughout the movement, black students continued their non-violent action, and in the end it worked. When Mayor Ben West was asked “Do you feel that it’s morally wrong to discriminate a person based upon their color?” he responded “I could not agree that it’s morally right.” 

The most effective tactic used by the students and protestors was when they stopped spending money down town. In Nashville during 1960, black buying power was estimated at $50 million a year, with $10 million spent at the downtown stores alone. When they stopped spending their money down town, the local businesses took a huge hit. This made them realize that the people they were refusing to serve and treat with respect were the people that were keeping their businesses afloat.  

Aint Scared of Your Jails Amber McLaughlin

The 1950s and 1960s were and awful time for the African Americans of that time. They had to deal with a great amount of segregation and being treated unfairly. In order to gain fair treatment the African Americans did a series of protests: sit ins, freedom rides and boycotts. I learned that it was a lot harder of times for the people living during this time era than I thought. I didn't realize how mistreated the African Americans were and for no good reason really. I knew they were mistreated, I just didn't know it was to such a huge extreme. We can use what happened during that time era and make sure it doesn't ever happen again. We can use what happened during that time era and change how we treat people with different skin color than us today. To me the most effective tactics were the marches, I believe this because it was said in the movie how there was no sound during these marches and all you could hear was the march of all the feet. It was also stated that everyone was scared and the white folks were in awe. If that doesn't make a statement then I don't know what does. John Patterson said in regards to all the rioters "They always seeking the police to help them but are the first to criticize the police." This movie had a huge impact on me because it showed me how poorly treated the colored people were and it makes me stop and think about how I'm treating other people, of all races.

Exploration 7- Jared Wolfe

     I learned a whole lot of new information while watching Ain't Scared of Your Jails. I've always known the cruel and unfair treatment African Americans went through but this documentary really showed the emotional side of African Americans in the 1950's and 1960's and how hard it truly was for them. Diane Nash describes in the documentary that she felt stifled and shut in very unfairly" when talking about the segregation in Nashville. The documentary can relate to today's world in regards to events such as the protests in Ferguson and also police brutality that is plastered all over the media in recent months. There is still an assortment of racial bias in today's world and peaceful protests as seen in the documentary still have a very strong message to this day.
   
     There were all sorts of non-violent protest groups such as the Freedom Riders and the SNCC who relentlessly  fought against inequality. They had sit-ins to protest inequality and continued to do so no matter how hard it got. In Ain't Scared of Your Jails, the narrator describes that "Gangs of toughs were gathering downtown. The students sat in as planned. The police did nothing to protect them. The students remained true to their training in nonviolence." The documentary states that 2,000 African Americans were arrested as a result of the sit-ins. It is absolutely amazing to me that they never gave up and it is definitely something to be proud of. The passion and drive that people such as Diane Nash had is admirable.
   

EXPLORATION SEVEN Omar shehadeh

      I had always known about the freedom riders and sit-ins but what I ultimately learned from this documentary was how wide spread the whole movement really was and how cruelly the African-Americans were truly treated. Un-able to sit at lunch tables and be served a meal, Un-able to use the same water fountains as white, not even seen as good enough to use the same restrooms as whites, African-Americans were branded as second class citizens.  Looking at how a entire race was able to be condemned in one of the most advanced nations in the world, at a time when segregation had already ended world wide, one can see how it is possible for instances like this to occur and how humans view certain issues. One of the Pivotal ideals of the movement was non-violence. Non-violence was essential, as without they never would have gained federal support and would have instead been met by even more violence than they already were facing. The non-violence tactic used also was essential in gaining white support, especially in areas were segregation was not prevalent. Everyone around the nation who had any sense of moral duty were rallying behind the black civil rights movement and demanded that these people get the justice they deserve. John lewis, one of the freedom riders said  "To me, it was like the Last Supper because you didn't know what to expect, going on the Freedom Ride." before he got on bus headed into deep southern territory where they would be faced with great adversary showing the utter determination of these people, ready to give their very lives for the cause they were fighting for. Jim peck, a freedom rider even said in a interview with a reporter "I got a beating twice yesterday by hoodlums, once aboard the bus and once in the common on Birmingham."and still he continued on the ride south. The violence towards these freedom riders had become so bad that on May 25th Alabama National gaurdsmen were deployed around the the montgomery bus terminal to protect 27 Freedom riders getting on a bus on two buses for Jackson,Mississippi. In Mississippi Freedom riders poured in by the hundreds, and eventually by summers end, 300 had been arrested and sentenced. Most of them, if not all of them,ended up in maximum federal security prison. All for riding a bus, marching through "white only" property and demanding the same respect and treatment all human beings deserve. And yet, still they remained non-violent and due to this gained even more supporters from both the black and white community. 

Exploration 7: Joe Weingates

Something that this documentary taught me was about the boycotts of chain stores that discriminated against blacks. I had never heard about this and from the Documentary, the way it was shown seemed like it'd be pretty scary to try to shop at any of these boycotted places. I see in comparison that in today's society our boycotts tend to be a lot more peaceful but just as effective. It kind of shocking that no national guard or anything was sent in for riot control since these got pretty violent.

The Reporter asked "I take it, then, that you are advocating Negroes in New York to stay out of these national chain stores?"

Adam Clayton Powell then responded: "Oh no, that's not true. I'm advocating that American citizens interested in democracy to stay out of chain stores." I like how Powell generalizes this issue to basically everyone and not to just black people making it a race issue but for everyone to just stand up for what they know is right.

Surprisingly with the dynamite bombing and all the people getting hurt from the boycotts nobody actually died. I like the tactic that they used of scaring the people by smacking stuff out of shopper's hands and by also telling people to "get out of town". Although smacking things out of people's hands is a bit harsh, it's not over the top and since the people don't know each other you don't know how the person will react if you get angry at them for their action, so to me I thought it was a great scare tactic. By saying "Get out of town" also, word gets around, nobody wants to go downtown to get harassed or worse, these two tactic combined was smart and very effective at striking fear into the shoppers.

Exploration 7 by Cole Haferman

     After viewing this documentary and learning what I could from it I came to realize that a lot of what was shown in the episode could be used and adapted to fin into today's world and help with our current problems. I think one of the main reasons why the blacks were so successful in their protests against the angry southern whites and the reason they were able to bring about such a drastic change in such a short period of time was the method in which they carried out the demonstrations. Throughout the whole movement, regardless of the setting, if it was at a sit in or during the freedom rides though the deep south all of the activists were trained to be calm and remain peaceful at all times. The man behind this mindset who actually taught the students to be peaceful and respectful at all times was a man by the name of Jim Lawson who started these "non violent workshops" as a way to organize and train the students in the ways of nonviolence and peaceful demonstrations. As the students began to carry out and partake in the demonstrations, beginning small with numerous cit ins at various local diners throughout downtown Nashville, they encountered resistance. On February 27th 1960 (37 years before I came into this world) the students carried out their first cit in at a local diner. The white customers and staff were noticeably uneasy and before long the black students began receiving abuse and harassment from white men at the diner. This continued for sometime but the demonstrators were fearless an remained nonviolent, when the police came and demanded they leave none of the students budged. That day over 80 black student protesters were arrested by the local police.
     It was only through this peaceful and nonviolent demonstration of will that the students were successful, had they retaliated against the whites with force and violence the change they brought about would have taken years longer to occur.

Never Give In

Ain't Scared of Your Jails taught me a lot and gave me some more knowledge on the civil rights movement. I learned what black people had to face and go through during those times and how hard it was to let their voice be heard, never giving up. It can be connected to today's world because there are still some prejudices and problems between people based on their skin, their religion, or their beliefs, etc.. We can use the information of the  civil rights movement in the past in order to not repeat those terrible times in history. It also shows a person to never give up for something they strongly believe in, because if come about in the right way you can succeed. Even the white mayor of Nashville Ben West could not agree that is was morally right to refuse a person merchandise solely because of the color of their skin, he stated "It was a question a man has to answer, not a politician" (Ben West). That statement was a main turning point for the movement, shortly after blacks were served downtown for the first time in history.
One of the most effective tactics for the movement was the boycotting of the downtown area including the restaurants and shops. Blacks stopped spending their money downtown and holding protests, in turn white people were afraid of riots or protests so they soon stopped going downtown. Shops and Cafes were forced to close down because of the lack of business. Many boy-cotters and protesters were sent to jail for no good reason, the whites thought it would help but John Lewis saw it as a honor "Growing up in the rural South, it was not the thing to do, not to go to jail. It was bringing shame and disgrace on the family. But for me, I tell you, it was like being involved in a holy crusade. It became a badge of honor. In just one month it was completely effective and soon after Mayor Wests statement blacks were served at the lunch counters and in the shops for the first time. By never giving in the civil rights movement was a continuing success, and that is truly something to admire.

Keep On Keeping On- Exploration 7 from Andrea Carwile

     The 1950s and 60s was a very trying time period for those involved in the civil rights movement in America. So many people faced frustration and let down, yet they never ceased to give up their fight for what was right. The documentary taught me that some things are worth fighting for despite the hardships and the consequences. Often times I become frustrated or I sense the feeling of being "too small" when I want a certain thing that I believe in to pass. This movie proved time and time again that no one is too small to make a difference. These African American people who seemed to be deemed as the lowest of the low fought for what they wanted and made a huge difference in our society. I may feel small, but sometimes I just have to keep fighting to get what I want.
     In the documentary Governor Patterson spoke of the actions of the Freedom Riders and he said this: "And you just can't guarantee the safety of a fool and that's what these people are. Fools." The fact that he called these people fools for working for their own rights is what made these times trying. People were working against them; they were doing everything in their power to stop these people from ending segregation. Freedom Rides was one of the most effective tactics the African Americans used. These people were beaten and mobbed, they were even sent to jail, yet they still kept fighting. They did the most simple thing possible and that was prove a point. They were there to prove a point. They weren't going to stop fighting. One of the most powerful statements made was said by Fred Shuttleworth. He said " It is a sin and a shame before God on a day like this, that these people who govern us would let things come to such a sad state. But God is not dead." They still chose to keep fighting for their spot at the front of the bus for a long time and that's what made the difference.
     Now because of their tireless work I am able to go to school with anyone and I can sit next to an African American in a restaurant. Because of the people in the film the United States now has an African American president and they have the right to work towards their own dreams. These people were very strong during trying times and they can teach us all that no fight is worth giving up if it means that much to you. 4,000 people had to march silently through a town to make a point. Another 300 people may have had to spend 60 days in a max security prison without a mattress for a couple nights because of the Freedom Rides to make a point. The fact of the matter is though, that there was a point to be made and they most certainly did. The certainly tried their absolute hardest when they were told to keep on keeping on.

Exploration 7 by Chris Phillips

At the beginning of the film, Ain't Scare of Your Jails, they talked about the social state of Nashville, Tennessee. In particular, they focused on the relationship between whites and blacks there, in a time where segregation was commonplace and a part of everyday life. What I found interesting about this was that most people on both sides of the coin, white and black, were content with the way things were. I'm sure that most people wouldn't have preferred things to stay the way they were, but they had become accustomed to it. The issue had effectively been shoved under a rug for the time being, and thoughts of change made most people uncomfortable. It was all brought back to light once Diane Nash and the SNCC began stirring up the "peace." They held peaceful protests, such as "sit-ins" at the local restaurants, which made racists in the area show themselves. This was important because it made the public as well as politicians face the problem at hand. It warranted a response from Ben West, the Mayor of Nashville, who, when prompted, publicly stated that he believed "it is wrong to discriminate solely on the basis of skin." They also began a movement that challenged segregated public transportation, which they called the "Freedom Rides." The goal was to ride through the south on unsegregated buses. In May 1961, when the Freedom Riders stopped in Washington D.C., the group was attacked with firebombs. Not to be deterred, Diane Nash believe that "the ride had to go on. It [can not] be halted by violence or a precedent would have been set."

This situation is a great representation of a situation where even a small group of people can challenge society as it is known and be successful. It is important to never shove the big problems with society under the rug, and to always stand up for what is right. It would surprise most people to learn that even the smallest of gestures can begin a snowball effect of social reform.

Exploration 7 - Emily Shearer

After watching Ain’t Scared of Your Jails, I realized that if someone wants something bad enough and they aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, they can make it happen. It might not be easy, but no one said it would be. The students that started the non-violent protests were young, and if they had the integrity to stand up to authority figures to change what needed to be changed, anyone can. It is truly inspiring to see people come together to fight for one goal. The film taught me that it is okay to ask questions… Diane Nash asked the mayor of Nashville a straightforward question and got the answer that she had already known. She asked Mayor West, “Do you believe that it is morally right for black customers to not be served food at counters or be discriminated against solely based on the color of their skin?” Mayor West responded to her question honestly, and said that he did not believe that it was morally right to do those things based on a person’s race. From one simple question that a student asked, things started looking up; blacks began to gain more freedom. More trials came up, but once again, they fought for what they thought was right, and the song from the beginning of the documentary sang, “Keep your eyes on the prize.” That is exactly what they did, and they managed to do it without violence.

John Lewis, a Freedom Rider, talked about how, on May 3rd, 1961, an interracial group of 12 people went out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant. There were seven whites and six blacks. He described it as the last supper, almost, because they didn’t know what to expect. On May 14th, the two buses for the Freedom Ride left Atlanta and were on their way to Birmingham, and one of the buses were bombed by a mob. 12 riders were sent to the hospital and the bus was destroyed.

                
The protests being non-violent made all the difference. Because there was a non-violent attitude, it made their point more clear. They should not have had to be violent for something that should be a right to everyone. During the sit-ins, they were non-violent because it was not normal for blacks to sit and be served at the counters when it should have been normal for any person, regardless of the color of their skin to be served at a counter. The protests would not have been quite as successful or effective had they decided to use violence as a tactic.

Exploration 7 by Allison Clark

Ain't Scared of Your Jails

Big Picture

     From this documentary I learned a lot about not how segregation played out in history but I learned something deeper. I learned how segregation made people feel, it didn't just affect one type of person, but all different types of people, and made them feel a lot of different emotions. Segregation not only affected people, but it affected the places that those people inhabit.

    You could connect this documentary in various different ways but the one that I found most important was acceptance. Even to this day, we have problems as a society with accepting people for who they are. We continuously fight for equality for everyone from every single walk of life but there will always be people trying to tear that effort down. In the documentary, it shows the importance of fighting for something that is right and following your ambitions regardless of the difficulties that you will end up facing. The documentary brings to life the compassion that human beings can have for each other regardless of our tendencies to judge and create the "perfect" complex. In the film, Leo Lillard said in regards to the segregated water fountains, "They're just the same momma", even being a young boy he didn't understand why the color of someone's skin affected what they were allowed to do, he assumed it was unfair and unjust. This questioning is what leads to becoming someone that make changes in what they see wrong in the world around them. The drive and determination that it takes to make such changes are outstanding and not installed into everyone. An example of this would be the sit ins that were performed all over the south. On February 1, 1960, the first sit in was performed by 4 college students in Nashville. Jim Lawson had workshops to train these students in non violence so that they would still hold their dignity. While these sit ins went a few weeks without any outrage, it began to fester up in the city and the students were arrested, but they had definitely left a lasting impression on the city of Nashville, they got people to think morally. When in jail, John Lewis says in regards to making a stand for something right "I wore it like a badge of honor" Regardless of if he was in jail, he knew that he had done the right thing in progress of making a change in something that he believed in. They had started the change, the sit ins spread to everywhere in the south and triggered many more movements to come. 

     Its important that we take in the lessons from the past, and that we always fight for what we believe in. After all, it is what our country is built on. People come in all shapes, sizes etc, and that's alright. Its okay that everyone is different from one another. It is what makes things interesting, it keeps our society moving. We must adapt to change, because without it, one can never begin to improve. This is what this documentary has brought upon us. 

Exploration Seven: Lillie Weber

After watching Ain't Scared of Your Jails, I have learned many things. One of which, is that if you truly believe in something, fight for it with nonviolence. Protest, boycott, it is more effective than violence. Not only this but in general if you believe in something hard enough there is nothing stopping you from speaking up and making a change. Another thing I have learned is that although things changed, it was still hard for some to change their views and morals that they were born and raised with. Not everyone has the want and desire to accept new views and ways of living. One quote from the mayor at the time of the sit ins, boycotts, and protests, Ben West, really resinated deeply with me and changed things for many White's in that day as well. He stated, " They asked me some pretty soul-searching questions. And one that was addressed to me as a man, and I tried as best I could to answer it frankly and honestly, that I could not agree that it was morally right for someone to sell them merchandise and refuse them service. And I had to answer it just exactly that way.Of course, I received considerable criticism for it, but had I to answer it again, I would answer it in the same way again because it was a moral question and it was one that a man has to answer and not a politician. " After that statement, African American's were served at the counter for the first time in downtown dine-ins.

Diane Nash was also a very prominent figure when these sit ins and protests were occurring. Being a strong, confident, determined female leader of protesting made me really route for her and listen to her more deeply. Within the documentary she stated, You know, if the Freedom Ride had been stopped as a result of violence, I strongly felt that the future of the movement was going to be just cut short because the impression would have been given that whenever a movement starts, that all that has to be done is that you attack it with massive violence and the blacks would stop." I truly believe this is the quote that simplifies the entire film. That is the whole purpose of being nonviolent, of not giving up, and being consistent.

One of the tactics used in promoting this movement was boycotting. The families of the protesters arrested mainly used this tactic as a way to get back store owners who believe in segregation. African Americans were the main source of income, so the fact that they stopped buying really damaged the shops income and reputation. This was an amazing, nonviolent way of proving their points. As the shop keepers grew more and more anxious with their lack of sales and failing businesses, they would try and get the mayor to change things within the city.

Exploration 7: Ain't Scared

From examining the civil rights movie, I learned how much of a feat it was to even bring about change within the system related to the deterioration of segregation due to the lack of protection and support from the government and that with perseverance and will-power that you can achieve any goal you set forward for yourself, just from watching how determined the civil rights protesters were to break the racial barriers of American society by sacrificing parts of their daily lives to further their movement through their demonstration of a peaceful protest; with them resisting racial aggression which could create emotional backlashes. This aspect of the movie can be clearly seen with the ideological workshop training students to deal with non-stop brutal attacks both physical and mental state on their character with restraints being placed on their emotions; according to Rev. C.T. Vivian when talking about what the purpose of these workshops were to the students and the lead ministers of Nashville: "How to take the blows and respond with sense of dignity.".

An example of this in the movie being groups of African-Americans performing a constant sit-in within a diner for days before being taken to jail and once the action was taken another group would come walking in ready to take on the mental stresses of the last group and it would be a continuous cycle of arrests and replacements, making it difficult to put a hold on the anti-segregation protests despite the constant hatred being placed onto the people participating in the sit-in at the diner.

With this strategy they were able to gain traction through attention of the Nashville public especially the local black community, and not only that, they were able to wear down the police by leaving them with doubt as their jails quickly filled up with young students. From that point on they were able to keep moving forward with the attention of the local black community in Nashville with support being provided to the supporters that were imprisoned, including food from black merchants and bail money from selling property in that area to make sure these students were in a comfortable position. After that, other protests began such as the boycott of downtown stores since African-Americans often spend 50 million a year on average with 10 million spent in downtown stores alone, making the downtown area a efficient way of making their civil rights protest more important to the political figures of the town.

As Leo Lillard said, "We figured that if they seal the pinch of not having shoppers buy in the stores of downtown Nashville then it would put pressure on the mayor, on the political fabric of the town of Nashville to put out regulations." when discussing about what they should do to enforce a change within the system to make it more beneficial to be a part of.

Let Freedom Ring ... For All From Charlie Exploration 7

It's amazing to me that our history has these events hidden within itself. This goes beyond growing pains within a society; this is actually the sign that we were stunted in our growth as a country and maybe still are in some ways. The most startling think to learn from this was the methods used to ensure the status quo of the time period. Beating people and torching buses are wartime crimes, unplaced within a time of peace. Whites separated from the Blacks, as if they were two different species. The only time this should happen is with clothes in the washing machine. There should be no separation or classing of citizens.

The most appalling scene for me was the one with the white women expressing herself  on how her civil rights were being violated by having to serve the Blacks. The Nashville resident said that "people who try strive to gain social acceptance through, though they call themselves non violent or passive resistant, are the most violent." Should we mention the Boston Tea Party to her and how there were actual property damages? Sorry, white people did that in a very unapologetic manner.

Now, on a side note, her point would have been valid if the Blacks were involved in any criminal activities on the premises. To me sitting on a piece of wood located in a particular section in a store is not a crime or even a misdemeanor; unless the person seated there is taking from the cash register. That would be a crime warranting the removal from the premises and jail time. Due to the mindset of the people and their system of laws stating that the Black actions were not right, violence broke out. I think this is why so much retaliation and pain was inflicted on the movement when the students started to challenge the system. Change is never pleasant, to both the changer and the changed.

It was a very wise course of action chosen when Rev C T Vinian taught his workshops on non violence. Rev C T Vinans' quote about having the workshops to allow the protesters to "take the blow and still respond with dignity" stands out to my mind. That skill would have to be taught because self defense is a very natural response. I know I would have to be taught.

While the freedom rides was the most important aspect of the movement, I think that the boycott was the tactic that allowed the following activities their stability. By the removal of the black purchase power it allowed pressure to be felt non violently by the industry refusing to change. It was a victory that boosted morale and gave power to the message being spoken. It also proved that, whether the whites liked it or not, the blacks did have a form of power. The power to withhold their earnings.

Now one may think that the blacks used this as a method to save their money. But there was an externalized cost for them in this boycott that could be easily unaccounted. Every year the black community purchased a new Easter outfit no matter how poor they were, it was a requirement to them. As C T Vinian said in the film "you could be paying on this outfit three months before Easter and three months later."   

The call from the Kennedy's to Mrs King proved to be a good political move as well start the course toward an actual solution to the main problem. The follow up call to the judge, resulting in the release of Martin Luther King, being the light turned on to the solutions fruition. Even with this course of action JFK only won by less than two-thirds of one percent of the popular vote. May we not have such a close call on other future main issues. What we can draw toward today is that we should respect and treat all citizens as equals, much like the Declaration of Independence states it.

Exploration 7- The Power Of Nonviolence

A huge point that this documentary focused on was equality. I got a better understanding of how the people that were part of the movement really felt. I never learned about the First Baptist Church siege in school. I thought that it was very brave that the people inside were willing to die for what they believed in. It made me think about how I would react in a situation that was so serious.

Diane Nash asked Ben West , " Do you feel that it's wrong to discriminate against a person solely on the basis of his race or color?".  I thought that this was a very good tactic. She pointed a finger at him and he responded.

Ben West responded with "They asked me some pretty soul-searching questions. And one that was addressed to me as a man, and I tried as best I could to answer it frankly and honestly, that I could not agree that it was morally right for someone to sell them merchandise and refuse them service. And I had to answer it just exactly that way. " It was a move that would prove vital to the movement and would help them.  Three weeks after his statement African Americans were finally able to eat at the lunch counter.

Another tactic that I thought was a great move in the civil rights was people not going to the stores that were downtown. They began to suffer and it was because they would not serve African Americans. They were not being treated fairly so they did not shop at stores that would discriminate against them. African Americans though were not the only ones that did not go to the stores white people also quit shopping out of fear. If they had been granted their right to have the same equality as a white person then there would not have been a problem. African Americans didn't have to break windows or do harmful things to make a difference. They simply did not go into the stores.

Exploration 7: Miguel Radilla

This video was really eye opening because it showed you an important moment in history where students that took a non-violent approach stood up for racial injustices that plagued certain parts of the country. The most important thing I took from the video was that even in a time where racial injustices were prevalent in the South, such as segregation, these norms were accepted because nobody had ever questioned the status quo of this normality. Once the students questioned the status quo, which were the racial injustices, that’s when everything became tumultuous in Nashville, as with the freedom rides. This is important in today’s age because the video shows us the importance of young individuals having a voice and a say. Diane Nash was the forefront of this non-violent movement in Nashville and I feel that its unfortunate that this was my first time of hearing about her because was she was apart of something that shifted a drastic change in Nashville as well in an era of The Civil Rights Movement. An important part of the video was the question that Diane Nash asked Mayor Ben West. “Do you feel that it’s morally wrong to discriminate a person based upon their color.” In which mayor West answered, “I could not agree that it’s morally right.”  One of the tactics that stood out for me was the boycotting of businesses in downtown Nashville from black buyers. This put businesses in a tough predicament because once it hurts the wallet of businesses it begins a trickle effect of changing the customs that were in place before. 

Dixon Shapiro: Exploration 7

In this documentary, I learned that people in general have a very difficult time changing their viewpoints of the world, viewpoints that they were raised with, and were told that these are the only viewpoints someone can have. These people also have a very hard time adapting to change. In today's world, we can compare it to how gay and lesbian people are treated, along with how some people's viewpoints on Syrians is that they are all terrorists.

Even today, it is very hard for people to admit that they were wrong, and that something must change in our society. Diane Nash asked Mayor Ben West if he thought that it was wrong to discriminate people based on color, and when he was asked what he thought of that question latter on, he said, "I tried as best I could to answer it frankly and honestly, that I could not agree that it was morally right for someone to sell them merchandise and refuse them service. And I had to answer it just exactly that way.” It is very hard to find someone who would be willing to openly admit that their viewpoints should change, and that they were wrong about their original ideas, especially if they are in politics. The question that Diane Nash asked the Mayor can also be used today for some politicians, but instead of asking about color, it could be used to ask about gays and lesbians. To me. the most shocking thing is what people will do to stop these changes in society. For example, Burke Marshall said about the attack on the Freedom Riders in Birmingham, "they clearly had advance information from Klan sources that the Freedom Riders were going to be attacked in the bus station at Birmingham ... The Bureau didn't pass that information along to anybody in any other part of the department." I do not know myself if something similar happened recently with a gay and lesbian movement, but if it did and the FBI covered it up, it would have caused a great outrage among the population.

One of the tactics used to promote anti-segregation was the boycotting of stores that promoted segregation in Nashville, Tennessee, and the surrounding area. This idea was used by a lot of the parents of the children that were arrested, to fight against it. They thought that since the black community were a big portion of income for these stores (their buying power was about $10 million for these stores alone, as mentioned in the documentary), and if they boycotted, these stores would feel a lot of pressure, and that in turn would pressure the Mayor to change the political nature of the city. In the documentary, it was said that this tactic was almost completely effective, to the point that some people became more and more aware of how serious the situation was, and that they must consider that they needed to change their ways.

Exploration 7: Ain't Scared of Your Jails

I learned a lot from this documentary because it is portrayed from the inside. It showed us what was really happening with the students, and how they felt and how they reacted. I've seen numerous examples of exterior portrayal, but none from the inside, and that's why I really liked this documentary. I learned about the bravery and cruel treatment of the students from everyone that disagreed with them, including the government. The world was against these students. They showed an immense amount of valor and courage to stand up for what is right on behalf of millions of African-American citizens. They took the stand, they took action, and they forced the change that was over 200 years coming. At such a young age, these students were ready to do what needed to be done, no matter what it took. On being arrested, John Lewis said "Growing up in the rural South, it was not the thing to do, not to go to jail. It was bringing shame and disgrace on the family. But for me, I tell you, it was like being involved in a holy crusade. It became a badge of honor." These students took pride in what they were doing. They were not afraid of going to jail or taking a beating, as long as they proved a point. What these students did can be translated to the modern day. Non-violent protest has proved to be the most effective way of initiating change today. Discipline and heart will prevail through most hard-ships.

Non-violent protests, like the ones exhibited by the students, are the most powerful way to protest. These students were kicked, punched, bruised and beaten, but refused to physically fight back. This was very smart on their part because if they were to fight back, it would give the opposing force a "reason" to inflict larger punishment. They would be put in jail for a longer period of time, they would be beaten even harder than they were before, and they would cause more people to be against them. People on the fence about segregation would realize that these people are peaceful and innocent, but yet are still receiving unjust punishment for just about everything they do. The police wouldn't even protect these kids, so how would you know if they would protect you in a situation of danger? It opened peoples eyes to the horrid treatment of these peaceful students. The government even promised to protect them, and they broke their promise. When the students left Montgomery, there was plenty of protection, but 40 miles from Montgomery, all of the protection disappeared, and the bus that held the freedom riders was attacked at a gas station that was supposed to be protected. When the students arrived at the gas station, they were greeted by the mob, the scene described by John Lewis: "... about 40 miles or less from the city of Montgomery, all sign of protection disappeared. There was no plane, no patrol car, and when we arrived at the bus station, it was just like eerie, just a strange feeling. It was so quiet, so peaceful, nothing." This is truly sad to see that the government would make a promise to protect them, and then completely lie and do the opposite. These students were not doing what the were doing to cause harm, they just wanted to change the treatment of black Americans, something that should have never been a problem in the first place.

Exploration 7: Ain't Scared - Zeb Lucas

     I learned so much from watching this documentary, I was aware of the awful treatment that many African Americans received during the sit-ins and freedom rides, but this documentary gave me a look inside of what many of them were thinking, and just how awful it really was. What they went through on the Freedom Rides, being met by angry mobs of klansmen and yet they kept going. They were even arrested, but as John Lewis said: they wore it "Like a badge of honor." It is an incredible story of their determination, and how it changed America for the better. Without the actions of these students, without them taking a stand with their peaceful and non-violent protests, things would have been so different. Who knows what would have happened, or how long it would have taken for the segregation of the counters, and interstate travel to come to an end.

     One tactic that I thought was extremely interesting would be the Freedom Rides. The fact that these young men and women were willing to risk their lives, riding through the South knowing that they would meet controversy blows my mind. They wanted a change, and they were willing to do whatever is necessary to get that change. Even after being met by an angry mob of Klansmen in Birmingham, and the other bus that was firebombed outside of Aniston that hospitalized twelve Freedom Riders, yet they continued with the Freedom Rides. Their dedication to the cause was incredible I feel that Jim Zwerg said it best: "Segregation must be stopped, it must be broken down. Those of us who are on the Freedom Ride, we will continue the Freedom Ride. I'm not sure that I'll be able to, but we're going on to New Orleans no matter what happens. We're dedicated to this, we'll take hitting, we'll take beating. We're willing to accept death. But we're going to keep coming until we can ride from anywhere in the South to any place else in the South without anybody making any comments, just as American citizens." Even after he had been severely beaten and hospitalized he still wouldn't quit. This brought attention to the necessary changes that needed to be made throughout the South and within the ICC. Racism was rampant and something needed to be done. The Freedom Riders ultimately forced people to pay attention to the issue and make the necessary changes.

Exploration 7: Amanda Chirico

This video was very captivating and moving. It taught me considerably; throughout school they teach the big picture, the influential people and the basics of civil rights. This movie is so much more then that. It takes you though the young African Americans thoughts and doings. How the students formed the SNCC, which was based on a new optimism, a feeling that youth could be a real force for change in the 1960s. It started with the sit-ins, then the boycotts, to marching, and finally the freedom riders, the student’s weren’t giving up they really did think they would be the change. The movie said that within two months, the sit-ins had spread to 69 cities, from Greensboro to San Antonio, and 2,000 people had been arrested. Finlay after all the violence and boycotts in Nashville, Tennessee Diane Nash asked the mayor, "First of all, Mayor West, do you feel that it's wrong to discriminate against a person solely on the basis of his race or color"(Nash)?  Major West responded, “and I tried as best I could to answer it frankly and honestly, that I could not agree that it was morally right for someone to sell them merchandise and refuse them service. And I had to answer it just exactly that way”(West). Diane Nash said, “I have a lot of respect for the way he responded. He didn't have to respond the way he did. He said that he felt like it was wrong for citizens of Nashville to be discriminated against at the lunch counter solely on the basis of the color of their skin. And I think that was the turning point”(Nash).  Tennessee might have done something but for the other southern states it was a different story like Alabama and Mississippi. The freedom rides played a huge importance in the civil rights movement in the south. The Freedom Riders would board two buses in Washington, DC, on May 4th. Their journey would take them through the Deep South and on to New Orleans by May 17th. This was a group of 13 Freedom Riders, seven white and six black where the whites would sit in the back of the bus as the blacks would sit in the front. As they made it down to the deep south things started getting way out of hand, huge groups of violent people were attacking the busses to a point the bus company stopped driving them in fear for there busses and there drivers. These rides got the attention of the president and the attorney general Bobby Kennedy.  When Patterson Alabama’s major refused to talk further, Kennedy sent Special Assistant John Seigenthaler to Alabama. Seigenthaler’s duty as a federal officer was to inform him that if the state could not protect citizens of the United States, either in the cities or on the highways, that it was a federal responsibility and we were prepared to assert it. During this time Marten Luther king Jr. gave a speech inside an Alabama church saying this to the people; “That we're going to be calm, and that we are going to continue to stand up for what we know is right. And that Alabama will have to face the fact that we are determined to be free. The main thing I want to say to you is fear not, we've gone too far to turn back. Let us be calm, we are together, we are not afraid, and we shall overcome”(King). That quote was very powerful to the people. The rides had continued becoming more and more peaceful finally making it to Jackson, Mississippi where they got off the bus and were peacefully arrested for 60 days in a maximum-security prison. Later on more and more freedom riders would go to Jackson and get arrested finally during that same summer, Robert Kennedy petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue regulations banning segregation in interstate travel. In late September, the commission complied. The students had won their victory, and they had become a major force in America's civil rights movement. Today because of these peoples actions people of any race can travel state to state and not get arrested.

Link to Civil Rights documentary-- from Mike Lohre

One of my favorite characters from the film is this brave young woman in the center, Diane Nash.

 Students, here is a link to the video about the iconic sit-ins that occured during the Civil Rights movement.  The documentary film is titled Ain't Scared of Your Jails and it is part of an excellent historical series called Eyes On The Prize: America's Civil Rights Years.
 
 https://youtu.be/-eGDqyr-Xro

 Here is a link to the transcripts for this video, for use in finding exact direct quotes or reviewing information.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/about/pt_103.html

Topics for Presentations and partners. From Mike Lohre

People

Malcome X: Nicole and Brayden
Nelson Mandela: Cole and Brian
Anne Frank: Emily and Allison
Johnny Cash: Omar and Zeb

Events

Columbine school shooting: Devon and Amber
Kent St. shootings: Joe and Chris
Hiroshima bombing: Dixon and Bianca
Hurrican Katrina: Lillie and Jared

Objects

The Wizard of Oz: Jenny and Abby
Ellis Island and/or Statue of Liberty: Amanda and Andrea
Golden Arches of McDonalds: Rachel and Brien
 Liberty Bell: Miquel and Charlie

Topics for Essay 3 go here. From Mike Lohre

Please post your best Essay Three idea here.  Explain what it is, and WHY you want to write about this topic.

Put your idea in the Comments section below, so we can see all the ideas for the class.

Also, I think Big Picture Questions like the ones I'm offering and the ones I'm asking you to think of on your own in response to the readings, are often a great gateway into an argument or analysis or problem/solution essay.

Also, if you have a great Big Picture Question related to our readings, let's post them here in the Comments as well, along with your essay topic.

Here's a few of mine to 'prime the pump'! (an idiom that means to get things started)

 

•Big Picture questions: 

•Why do Americans constantly evoke the Founding Fathers, and for what purposes?

•Who is your favorite American historical figure and what public documents or history do we most associate with him or her?

•Why is the colonial war against Britain still relevant today? What values do we take from that fight?

•What kinds of journalism are most important, and is true investigative journalism dying?  Why? 

* What is the difference between a cynic and a skeptic?  Which one more describes you, and why?

* Where has the government shown a cynical distrust or disrespectful manner in dealing with its citizens?

* Where is the citizenry guilty of showing a cynical distrust or disrespect of government and its public servants?

* If the citizens have the right to change or throw off a corrupt government, how can we get that done peacefully and without violence?  Especially in a society that is armed to the teeth-- from the military to the police right down to many citizens?

*Is it legal for the President to start wars without approval of Congress?  What do the public documents say?

* Is Edward Snowden a hero for exposing the goverment's lies or a traitor for exposing its private information and secrets?  Might he be both?

* What's in the public document made by Congress called The Patriot Act and how does it protect us? Why do some people argue we gave up too many freedoms in that act and that the protection is not worth it or does not exist anyway?

 *Why do so many people put off or refuse to make a living will or medical directive?

Thanks!

Mike Lohre

Brainstorming and sharing topics is a great way to see if the path we are on is correct, and it helps us help each other as well, as we do research, tweak our focus, and find sources.