The Forgotten King
The title of this post is intentionally ironic. Everyone knows that we are away from school on Monday because Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is commemorated by name with a national holiday. And just about every American alive is familiar with King's "I Have A Dream" speech.
However, as we begin a new year, I invite you to think about what you have previously learned about Dr. King when you were a younger student, in light of this particular speech. The subject of the talk was the Vietnam War, in an excerpt from a sermon given at Ebenezer Baptist Church, on April 30, 1967. During that very perilous time, consider the public response to his words back then:
However, as we begin a new year, I invite you to think about what you have previously learned about Dr. King when you were a younger student, in light of this particular speech. The subject of the talk was the Vietnam War, in an excerpt from a sermon given at Ebenezer Baptist Church, on April 30, 1967. During that very perilous time, consider the public response to his words back then:
...after giving the speech...King was dropped from Gallup’s annual list of the most admired Americans and was ridiculed by the New York Times, among too many others. Soon after, he was murdered (Robert Scheer, Truthdig.com).As a kind of evidence, look closely at this 3-frame diagram of King's funeral photo which highlighted Black Americans using black dots, and Whites, using red dots.
Life Magazine, April 19, 1968, by Alfredo Jaar. (Copyright Alfredo Jaar)
Although the speech is over 20 minutes long, you are encouraged to listen to as much of it as you can (it's audio only). I know what amazing multitaskers you are. Press PLAY and have it on in the background as you message your friends and surf the net ;) Ask yourself the following questions:
Although the speech is over 20 minutes long, you are encouraged to listen to as much of it as you can (it's audio only). I know what amazing multitaskers you are. Press PLAY and have it on in the background as you message your friends and surf the net ;) Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why is this post titled, "The Forgotten King"?
- Why don't many Americans celebrate this speech?
- Can you make connections to today?
Responses to Abolition(ism)
For our next class, you need to complete the following:
- Responses to Abolition(ism) primary source analysis
- Feel free to click the above link to access the images in higher resolution
The Abolitionists
Note: this video series (DVD) is available in the NTHS Library or may be available to stream if you have Amazon Prime. Otherwise, please click here to view the film. Due on paper next class. Need an electronic copy? Try this.
After viewing the PBS film, The Abolitionists (click to view), ask yourself how monolithic were the opponents of slavery (Stowe, Brown, Garrison, Grimke, etc.)? Which of their methods did you think was most effective?
Transcript is available below:
The Hidden Subtext of Laws and Rules
Initial photo and your name DUE next class.
Please make sure include your explanations in the NOTES section. Click on the previous link for my example.
Ask me if you have questions.
Frederick Douglass: Categories of Credibility
Read Chapters I, II, and III for next class. Write a list of FIVE generative questions for HW.
Consider the following prompt: “Because Frederick Douglass was an atypical enslaved man, a devout Christian, and an abolitionist, he is NOT a credible source of information regarding the institution of slavery.” Agree or disagree, using specific evidence (quotes and page numbers). This essay has not been assigned yet.