Week 5- American Civil Rights Movement

 This week our class focused on the American Civil Rights movement.  It’s a subject I’ve become fairly familiar with having taken African American History last year.  Side note: it feels good knowing the generalities of subject when the topic comes up in another class.  Yay for me.  Anyway, the thing I found most interesting is the type of befuddlement I always feel when studying the black rights of the 50’s and 60’s.  We live in such a PC society today.  We hear all about horrible instances of people being treated badly all around the world and even in the US during slavery.  But it never fails to blow my mind, how 50 years ago, Americans were so callous and cruel to each other.  Aside from black rights, but Japanese internment as well, Americans (generally) believed it was perfectly acceptable to discriminate based on color.  A level of discrimination that went well beyond dislike and separate but equal laws, but to government enabled atrocities such allowing police dogs to attack children and murderers to walk free, and in the case of Japanese internment, to force an entire population into concentration camps. 

These crimes all occurred on American soil, as recently as 50 years ago.  My mother was a young girl at the time.  When I see elderly people I can’t help but wonder what their stance was at the time and if negative, how they cope today.  Not even elderly I suppose.  Anyone over 60 could recall such societal turmoil, even as a child.

American culture has certainly come a long way.  Political correctness is a way of life now.  We take care to practice sensitivity to all those around us.  I consider the gay marriage issue that so many are up in arms about now.  And a part of me is so amused.  Interracial marriage was such a taboo subject just a few decades ago, and now most children born today are of mixed descent.  It really is very funny how protestors are trying so hard to make a stand prohibiting same sex unions, when in all truth, there’s nothing they can do about it.  It’s only a matter of time.  In this case, the history student has learned that in some instances, history will indeed repeat itself.

Week four- Peace Movements

This week’s lecture struck a chord with me.  Everyone knows that many famed protests have been at the hands of united students.  The Berkeley protests, Tiananmen Square, the Greensboro Sit-in, etc… but to really consider the impact that so many young people have made, frankly, made me feel a bit inadequate.  I have not participated in any major political movements.  I vote, and sometimes volunteer as a pollworker, pay taxes, and sign petitions.  But that really isn’t enough.  The world has not changed.  While the Red Scare and civil rights equality are not major concerns in the US these days- which is when we last saw major student activism in the US, our world governments are still considerably lacking.  I am aware of this.  I am not the only one.  I know there is suffering and that injustices are committed daily across our planet and in my own backyard.  So I wonder, what has changed with student thought?  Why are we, as a generation, so self consumed that we idly sit by, watch CNN, and sign with sadness, rather than taking our voices and opinions to the public?  And demand a change?  
 

I considered the U.C. Davis students that were pepper sprayed during their peaceful sit in.  I’m proud of them.  Not necessarily for the political action, but rather their action of character.  They stood up for what they believe to right, fair, and good in a peaceful manner.  Their bravery and larger scope of society in our egocentric world inspires me.

Young, idealistic, with ample time and lack of responsibilities, students can be a force to reckon with.   

Week three- Utopian Socialism

I have not begun my community service as the Special Olympics are building their Spring/Summer schedule.  My volunteer manager is keeping me up to date on time frames and will let me know as soon as I’m able to get to work.  I’m looking forward to it!!

So I’ll discuss class lecture instead. 

Utopian Socialism.  What a concept!

This week for discussion we studied the Antebellum Communitarian Movement- the Oniedas and Fourierists specifically.  How interesting to live such a lifestyle.  I’m particularly fascinated in the martial structures or lack thereof of these various groups.  Not to mention, the prominence in membership during the height of their popularity.  I find the typical pattern of competition between the groups to also be of interest as they seem to go against the foundation of socialist ideals altogether.  But this seems to be the case as not everyone always completely practiced what they preached.  An example is that of Robert Owen’s double standard in private property ownership within New Harmony. Relating to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels theories, one begins to wonder if true socialism will ever be possible and successful.

Week 2- What is a social movement?

           This week we discussed the necessary criteria of social movements.  Commonly misperceived among the public (and previously myself up until this past week), a social movement is not merely a publicly wanted change.  Rather, social movements require three factors in a simultaneous and ongoing manner.  They are campaign, social movement repertoire, and WUNC displays. 

            In examination of the social movement and its definition, I took consideration of the Ku Klux Klan.  An organization with a long history stemming from Reconstruction, the Klan has always fulfilled the campaign aspect of the social movement criteria.  However, in their successful public assault of blacks, immigrants, and non-protestants, they continually failed to meet, or if met, failed to sustain the social movement repertoire and WUNC displays.  Although unsuccessful in the past, the Klan is still active with up to 1,500 members nationwide and 150 separate chapters.

            In addition to studying the Ku Klux Klan this week, I also considered another organization with which I will be fulfilling my internship this semester- the Special Olympics.  This organization fulfills the criteria of campaign, social movement repertoire, and WUNC displays entirely.  I look forward to my meeting with the Manager of Program and Volunteer Services tomorrow.