Civil Rights Lesson

Civil Rights Movement

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By Chris Bond

​1954 - Brown v

Board of Education

​1957 - Montgomery

Bus Boycott

Rosa Parks & MLK​

​1963- "March on Washington - "I have a dream speech

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​1964 - Civil Rights Act​

​1965 - Voting Rights Act​

The Civil Rights Movement

1954-1965

Traditional narratives argue that the Civil Rights movement began in 1954 with the Brown V. Board of Education case which ended the courts tradition of supporting a "Separate but Equal" ​system of institutional justice. In 1965 that same traditional narrative ended when the Congress followed up the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the Vioting Rights Act of 1965.

Is this the way you have learned (if you have) about civil rights?​

New Emerging Historiography

Developing Trends

Today historians point out that the civil right's movement oversimplifies the nature of the Civil Rights Movement - especially the many historical figures and grass roots figures who made it happen as well as from a timeline perspective

​ Check this argument out - Click here​

How is this timeline different - ​Click here to Timeline

Poll

How have you learned about the Civil Rights Movement

• I have not learned at all about the Civil Rights Movement

• I learned the traditional narrative - 1954-1965 (MLK and civil rights law)

• I have learned to question the traditional narrative but have not been taught how

• I have learned to question the traditional narrative and have examples of how.

However we have learned - we must remember that race and racism are at the crux of our civil rights dilemma. If you think that certain racial groups are superior or inferior simply because of race - this is what contributes to persistent systemic inequality.

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Please watch the video linked to better understand the systemic nature of racial discrimination in America.

What's important to remember?

Multiple Choice

What is Systemic Racism?

• Racism that is intentional and individual-based.

• Racism that is built into institutions and systems.

• Racism that only exists in the United States.

• Racism that is caused by individuals' personal beliefs.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of systemic racism?

• An individual racist person refusing to hire someone based on the color of their skin.

• A company only recruiting from predominately white communities.

• A person making a racist joke to their friend at work.

• An individual expressing a racist idea on social media.

Multiple Select

The reason why Systemic Racism is so hard to deal with in a way that would lessen it's effects is because of which of the following: (There may be more than one write answer)

• Implicit Bias

• Explicit Bias

• Too many really racist people.

• Too many people who just can't stop making race an issue - systemic racism would go away if people stopped making race a big thing.

Do the legal remedies created at the end of the civil rights movement deal with the underlying problem?

Why is Anti-Racism so important but also controversial?​

Does Malcolm X make a good point?​

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​Please review the beginning of the John Green video which cover's the context of 1950s America. The overview of what is revealed is noted to the right for you.

The 1950s

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​From 1950 to 1960 the greatest rise in working class affluence occurred as America took advantage of post World War II demand for modern conveniences. By 1960 almost 60% of America was classified as Middle Class.

1. Fear of Communism

2. Rise of American Affluence

1950s - Consensus Culture

In the 1950's many people became fearful of questioning American Exceptionalism because they might be labeled a communist.

Multiple Choice

John Green argues that the 1950's was a time where most American's came to view America as an exceptional place and drew stark comparison's between us and the rest of the world - especially communist nations. This is called what?

• American Consensus Culture

• Americanization

• The roaring 50s

• The Age of American Joy

Listen to John Green extend the context of the 1950s. Then take a close look at these criticisms.

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C. Wright Mills - who was he and what did he stand for?

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The Dark side of the early 1950s - McCarthyism ​

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​Critics of 1950s - Video

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The 1950s - Consensus vs Criticism

Open Ended

John Green also points out that this Consensus Culture is most widely accepted by what type of American historian or citizen?

Open Ended

What have you learned so far concerning the 1950s and the civil right's movement? Why is this CONTEXT important to understand as we seek to extend the traditional view of the Civil Rights movement?

​Looking closely at modern day depictions of the 1950s can help us better understand what consensus culture was and how it helped to create many of our modern day views of what makes America work and prosper.

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Starting with a model

Video Response

On your own or with one or two others, please talk about how the video by CBS Sunday Morning help to outline why some American's view the 1950s as being a time "When America was Great". Is there view accurate or is it based on a media generated myth? How does this help you better understand some American's reluctance to discuss and unpack issues of systemic racism?

Open Video Recorder