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.