Tag Archives: African-Americans

“Where is my Freedom?”

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Mdsyfulislam

In my movie, “Where is my Freedom?”, I want to mention this picture in the time between 1890 to 1900. This picture represent the exact scenario of “separate but equal” doctrine. Here I find that the colored people (originally black people) were being insulted by this doctrine. After the 1896 court case of Plessy vs. Ferguson, the “separate but equal” clause became law. African Americans were entitled to “equal” public places as whites, but they have to use separate places. This “separate but equal” law had huge impact in American society until the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s.

Posted in 1890-1900, Cultural History, Final Exam Component, Social History | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on “Where is my Freedom?”

Greensboro Sit-In

Posted on June 19, 2010 by wrosas

The Greensboro Sit-Ins  were an instrumental action in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, leading to increased national sentiment at a crucial period in American history. It all started with four African-American students who decided to sit at a segregated lunch counter in Greenboro,  North Carolina, Woolworth’s Store. This lunch counter only had chairs/stools for whites, while blacks had to stand and eat. They were all aware that they weren’t goin to be served but they sat there anyways demonstrating their courage and determination to fight for their rights. Four days later 300 students were outside Woolworth’s protesting.

Posted in 1953-1960, Cultural History, June 16 assignment, Midterm Exam Review, Political history, Social History | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Greensboro Sit-In

Little Rock Nine

Posted on June 15, 2010 by wrosas

50 years ago nine couragoeus high school students changed the USA. One simple step towards inequality turned a segregated naition upside down on September of 1957.

On September 2, the night before school was to start, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus called out the state’s National Guard to surround Little Rock Central High School and prevent any black students from entering in order to protect citizens and property from possible violence by protesters he claimed were headed in caravans toward Little Rock.

A federal judge granted an injunction against the Governor’s use of National Guard troops to prevent integration and they were withdrawn on September 20.

When school resumed on Monday, September 23, Central High was surrounded by Little Rock policemen. About 1,000 people gathered in front of the school. The police escorted the nine black students to a side door where they quietly entered the building as classes were to begin. When the mob learned the blacks were inside, they began to challenge the police and surge toward the school with shouts and threats. Fearful the police would be unable to control the crowd, the school administration moved the black students out a side door before noon.

As Little Rock experienced their first year as a segregated school these nine African American students took the heat, insults, and abuse from their white peers. This event was one of the most important events in the civil rights moivement. Here at Little Rock, you had a state fighting against federal authority, national guard troopers facing professional paratroopers and a governor against a president.

This was an incredible step towards integration and althoguh it took many more years of hardships we always have to start somewhere. We have to stand up for what we believe and stand on our grounds in order to get heard. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/1kbawIm1SXY" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Posted in 1953-1960, Cultural History, June 15 assignment, Political history, Social History | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

L.A. Riots of 1992

Posted on June 8, 2010 by wrosas

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/1bEG2AMaM7w" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Los Angeles riots were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted four Los Angeles Police officers accused in the videotaped beating of African American motorist Rodney King following a high-speed pursuit. Thousands of people in the Los Angeles area rioted over the six days following the verdict. At that time, similar, smaller riots and anti-police actions took place in other locations in the United States and Canada. Widespread assault, arson, looting, and murder occurred, and property damages topped roughly $1 billion. In all, 53 people died during the riots and thousands more were injured. 

These riots show the significance of law enforcement and how discrimination can lead to more than just injustice but death. These people had seriously lost their minds as you can see this clip shows human beings behaving as animals.

Posted in 1989-2000, Economic History, June 8 assignment, Political history, Social History | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments