Inequalities In African American Society

Words: 1155
Pages: 5

“They moved actively and directly against racial injustices, the threat of war, violations of individual rights of conscience and, less frequently, against economic manipulation… the significance is in the fact the students are breaking the crust of apathy and overcoming the inner alienation that remain the defining characteristics of American college life.” (Archive 22.2) This new generation was more outspoken and determined than any that had come before them Young people in the 50s and 60s more than ever before were speaking up and speaking out for their ideals, beliefs, injustice, inequality, stereotypes, and war by sit ins, desegregated bus rides, violent acts with hopefully good intentions, defying stereotypes, and uniting against commonality …show more content…
Student activist James Seff recalls one of his experiences after the Sproul Hall sit-in at Berkley University, “The police came that night and the kids went limp and they dragged them down the marble steps, bouncing their heads on the steps.” (Archive 22.5) At the time, SNCC faced backlash from Stokey Carmichael, whom took over chairman John Lewis’s position. Carmichael stated, “We feel that integration is irrelevant; it is just a substitute to white supremacy…We want quality education, not integrated education.”(Archive 22.4b) Nevertheless, students persisted, making buttons sporting things such as: “Human Rights”, “Free Speech”, “SNCC”, and a simple equals sign amongst others. (Archive 22.1) Elizabeth Eckford was one of the first college students to legally attend an all-white school. Archive 20.8b depicts young Elizabeth waiting for the bus with a book in hand and sunglasses covering her eyes. While she waits patiently, men and reporters surround her taking notes and analyzing her every move, waiting for her to do something they can report on. After African Americans began attending desegregated schools, white students were displeased and some resorted to violence. Document 22.5b portrays students and professors in a large scale …show more content…
Young people more than ever were letting their voices and opinions be heard. In document 22.6b the Youth against war and fascism held posters stating to “Bring the GI’s home now,” just outside the White House’s fence. People of all skin tones gathered in Central Park located in New York City for a “Stop the War Rally.” Filling the entire frame, were dedicated people uniting against what they felt was an injustice fight. (Archive 22.6c) The Student Against Totalitarianism made handouts highlighting what young people could do to help with the fight including: strategy, tactics, politics, church, and education to name a few. “Freedom will only win if every American who reads this makes his decision NOW to accept his individual responsibility to take effective, positive action for the preservation of freedom.” (Archive 22.3b) These documents also list and suggest ways to spread the ideology of anti-communism with a checklist suggesting a pro-American and anti-communist speaker for a seminar, marketing Dr. Fred C Schwarz’s books about communism, and reminding people to stay active in their church and studying of “God’s word. While some believed the war was a negative thing, others viewed it as the opposite. Pictured in New York City are “Pro-war demonstrators,” fists high in the air in their pro-war chants. (Archive 22.6f) In a similar fashion, a man looking to be in his late