To Sir, With Love

To Sir, With Love was a film released in 1967. The film stars Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, an engineer who takes a teaching job in an East London school. Thackeray faces many challenges as he tries to connect with his students. 

These students all come from diverse backgrounds and struggle with various personal issues. He uses unconventional teaching methods and shows many life lessons to the students. After using his new methods, he earns the respect of his students. By doing so it allows him to transform their lives in the process. 

The film explores many themes including race, class, and education delivering a heartwarming and inspirational story. The theme of race stood out to me the most in the film. The film addressed issues related to race and prejudice. 

Mark Thackeray is an African American man who becomes a teacher. His presence challenged the students and his colleague's expectations of what to expect from him because it was not common at the time to have a teacher of color. Thackeray's race leads to initial skepticism and resistance from some students who hold prejudiced views. He transcends racial boundaries through his dedication to teaching and his genuine concern for his students.

 Mark Thackeray's ability to break down racial barriers and earn the respect of his students emphasizes humanity and the potential for positive change through understanding and empathy. "To Sir, with Love" addresses the challenges and complexities surrounding race relations in the 1960s. This offers a hopeful narrative that suggests genuine human connections and shows that shared experiences can bridge racial divides and promote harmony in a diverse society. 

Overall, this film showed just how being prejudiced can negatively affect you. After watching the film, it should be clear that having an open mind can help you in many ways. It is important to remember that just because you might not look the same as someone that should not affect how you think of them. 

EOTO Reax

After watching my fellow classmates present on the regression of African American rights, I was able to learn on a few topics. The assassinations of Martin Luther King stood out to me especially. MLK was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel, in Memphis, TN. 

James Earl Ray was the person who assassinated Martin Luther King. Ray initially pleaded guilty to the charges in 1969 but later attempted to withdraw his guilty plea. He claimed that he was not the actual assassin and that he was coerced into confessing. His request for a trial was denied, and he was sentenced to 99 years in prison. 

One other moment in history that stood out to me was the Boston bus riots. What happened with the bus riots was that in response to a court-ordered plan to desegregate public schools through busing, white residents opposed the idea of their children being transported to schools outside their neighborhoods. 

This led to widespread protests, strikes, and violence. This included the incident on September 5, 1974, when anti-busing protesters attacked a school bus carrying African-American students. The events showed the deep racial tensions and resistance to efforts aimed at achieving racial balance in Boston's schools.

In conclusion, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Boston busing desegregation crisis stand as important chapters in the history of the struggle for civil rights. These events show the challenges and key racial tensions that marked pivotal moments in the pursuit of equality. Martin Luther King's assassination and the resistance to school desegregation serve as powerful reminders of the complex and enduring journey toward justice in the United States that was taking place at this time. Understanding these historical milestones is essential for creating awareness, empathy, and continued efforts toward a more inclusive and fair society. 

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

 Ladies and gentlemen of the court, esteemed justices, and honorable members of the jury, 

Today, I stand before you as the representative of the Regents of the University of California, to talk about the economic points that need to be made. The university has been charged with defending our institution's commitment to diversity and affirmative action. We believe that the university's policies, which include affirmative action measures, are not only allowed within the constitution but are also a vital tool for promoting social justice, equal opportunity, and economic empowerment. This particularly pertains to the African American community. 

The point of our affirmative action program is our effort to address the historical and extensive barriers that have affected the progress of African Americans in our educational institutions and beyond. Slavery, segregation, and institutional discrimination have left long lasting scars contributing to economic hardships within the black community. 

Affirmative action is used to redress these historical injustices and forge a more equitable future. My client seeks to get rid of the historical barriers that have limited the educational disadvantages of African American students compared to White students. These policies our school has put in place are designed to ensure that African American students have equal access to quality education. 

By addressing the disparities in educational opportunities, we are laying the foundation for future generations to break the cycle of poverty and contribute to a meaningful society. If we continue to have a diverse student body, we will enrich the academic environment and provide students with exposure to a variety of perspectives and experiences. This is not the only thing that matters though, if we allow access to the knowledge that one can only get through education it will create role models for many generations to come. 

Having someone to look up to is key in many aspects since you will want the things that person has to be in your life one day. If a kid who is a minority sees their older brother going to college to gain knowledge that in the past their family was not able to have, they will want it the same for themselves one day.

Providing equal education and employment opportunities allows the school to not only enrich the lives of individuals but also contribute to our nation's economic growth. If we continue to use our affirmative action plan, we will create more business and entrepreneurship opportunities for minorities. With black owned businesses there will be an encouragement of diversity in the business world. A diverse and educated citizen is essential for a thriving democracy. 

Our affirmative action programs promote civic engagement within the African American community. This helps create leaders who can actively contribute to community development and address social issues within society. 

In conclusion, the University of California's affirmative action policies are not just legally defensible since they are morally right. They reflect our commitment to eliminating historical injustices and promoting economic empowerment. These affirmative action programs will help with creating a society where all individuals, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to succeed. Let us not forget that the strength of our nation lies in its ability to ensure justice and opportunity for all. 

Thank you 

Sources:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/regents_of_the_university_of_california_v_bakke_(1978)

https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/when-the-supreme-court-first-ruled-on-affirmative-action

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Supreme-Court-of-the-United-States/Procedures-and-power

"Driving Miss Daisy" reflection

This week in class I got the chance to watch "Driving Miss Daisy” which brought to my attention many things within the film. The film tells the story of the evolving relationship between Daisy Werthan who is a wealthy elderly Jewish widow in Atlanta and her African American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn. The film takes place in the South from the year 1948 to the early 1970s.

Exploring the themes of friendship, aging, racial prejudice, and societal change. As Daisy and Hoke spend years together, their bond deepens. Transcending the racial and social boundaries during this time. The film addresses issues of racism and antisemitism and shows how the characters navigate life's challenges.

For one instance Daisy's synagogue got bombed showing the antisemitism going on within society. The Film concludes with a scene that reflects the power of the friendship between Daisy and Hoke. One thing that made me surprised about the film "Driving Miss Daisy" is how Daisy Werthan attends a dinner event where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives a speech. This speech shows the societal struggle for racial equality and the changing dynamics of the era. 

Dr. King was a prominent civil rights leader known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance challenging racial injustice. His famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington in 1963 brought attention to the civil rights movement and its goals. The scene in the film with Dr. King's speech underscores the historical significance of his leadership and the transformative impact of the civil rights movement on American society during the era within the film. 

In conclusion, "Driving Miss Daisy" not only highlights the racial tension and discrimination of the era but also shows the broader societal struggle for racial equality and emphasizes the historical significance of Dr. King's leadership during the transformative era of the civil rights movement.  

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Sk0_8ztAg

Trial 3 Reax Post: Brown v. Board of Education

After watching today's trial on Brown vs Board Education was able to get the chance to learn about the topic. To begin Brown vs Board happened in 1954 when the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. They made this change because they found that separate educational facilities for black and white students were unequal overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine. Since the Supreme Court made this decision, it created a turning point in the civil rights movement. 

In the trial, the side of Brown brought up many reasons for getting rid of separate schooling. For one thing Brown mentioned how much the separate but equal act costs much more money stopping them from this money for more beneficial things. They also mentioned how there is a lack of equality within the education system. The schools are not as good for the black children which shows a lack of equality. One other thing their side mentioned is how they are protected under the 14th Amendment to have a fair education. 

On the side of the Board, they mentioned a few key reasons why there should be continuing racial segregation within the education system. The Board mentioned how racial segregation allows whites to learn at their pace and black people to learn at theirs. There have been separate but equal laws in place for too long already. 

If it changes then black students would not be able to comprehend as much act white children since they are not getting as good an education. The Board also learned how segregation was not harming black people. When listening to the trial the Board motioned that white people allowed for segregation to happen to try for the black people. 

Overall, this case shows how segregation in the school system was seen in 1954. Although both sides made good arguments it is clear to me that segregation should not be seen within society especially when talking about children's education. These challenges for segregation contributed to the struggle for racial equality in the United States. While this case did not immediately end school segregation, it laid the foundation for legal and social changes within America. 

EOTO: “The Four Little Girls”

The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 15, 1963, took the lives of four innocent African American girls. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley lost their lives due to white supremacists.

This created a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. Before the bombing in Birmingham Alabama, the 16th Street Baptist Church was a gathering place for people to focus on gaining more civil rights. White supremacists saw how the church was becoming a symbol of civil rights and wanted to put an end to it in hopes of creating more segregation. 

The Bombers decided this was how they were going to have to do things to get what they wanted but, in the end, it took away innocent lives and proved too many that needed to be put to an end. The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church had many consequences adding to the existing problems related to racial divisions and discrimination within the United States. 

For one thing, it highlighted the tensions with race. Since the bombing happened it created more protests which had a lot of violence. Another thing that happened from the bombing of “The Four Little Girls” was how it caused the news on the case to go international. People were appalled by the bombing which created a lot of media coverage around the world. This ended up causing the United States reputation to become damaged by the racial discrimination taking place. 

The bombing inspired many activists to fight during the civil rights movement. The tragic event served as a powerful reminder of the injustices that African Americans faced. After all that had happened with the four little girls, they became symbols for the civil rights struggle. 

There are even statues of the girls in Kelly Ingram Park located in Birmingham, Alabama showing just how impactful this event has been on the world. Their deaths were mourned by many in their family and community. Since the girls were so young no one would have thought that they would have been targeted. 

Going after these kids showed how far white supremacists were willing to go. The girls will also forever be remembered for the tragedy that happened to them. The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and the loss of the four little girls were painful reminders of the racial hatred and violence that characterized the civil rights era. 

While it got rid of existing divisions in the United States, it also played a key role in creating greater awareness, more support for the civil rights movement, and inspiring many generations. People were committed to creating racial equality and justice for the community. 

The memory of the four little girls continues to serve as a powerful symbol of the struggles America has faced having to do with the civil rights movement. In conclusion, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and the loss of the four little girls caused the United States toward greater social and legal change in the pursuit of racial equality and justice. 

Sources: 

https://www.wunc.org/race-demographics/2023-09-15/birmingham-bombing-1963-four-little-girls-civil-rights

https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/sep/15

https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/witnesses/sixteenthstreetbaptist.htm

https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/baptist-street-church-bombing

EOTO Reax Post

After listening to everyone present today in class, I was able to find one specific part of the reconstruction era for EOTO that was most interesting to me. I listened to both sides of the argument, the positive and the negative. The negative side stood out to me for many reasons. The main reason for this was the topic of the Ku Klux Klan. 

To give a little back story on the Ku Klux Klan it was founded in 1866 in Tennessee. The Klan’s main goal was to try and restore White supremacy. One of their main targets was the Freedman Bureaus. The Freedman Bureau’s goal was to help former slaves in the South get on track with starting their new lives. 

This stood out to me because of how the Klan went after these innocent people who just wanted reconstruction. These former slaves had just come from winning a war and now had to deal with the retaliation from this group. The Ku Klux Klan would often do many things in retaliation, but they never fully succeeded. 

The reconstruction after the Civil War did happen slowly and, in the end, they had to accept defeat. Although there are some people who still try to keep white supremacy going there is little to no success due to the understanding that there is no difference between White and Black people.

The thoughts of the Klan did much damage, and it is important to use what happened back in this time to show how much more damage they did. Treating people as separate is never something good in the world. Therefore, when looking into these actions that had happened it is important to learn how we have grown and have come together that these beliefs of White supremacy are something that should never make people side with them today.