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.