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"Why Sit Here and Die?"
Author- Maria W. Stewart -
"Why Sit Here and Die?"
Maria Stewart’s “Why Sit Here and Die?” is a call for African Americans, especially Black women, to rise against oppression through education, self-respect, and action. Delivered in 1832, her speech challenges the racial injustice of the Black community, urging them to seek their independence. She argues that waiting for change will only prolong their suffering. Stewart condemns the passivity of African Americans, calling for unity and determination in the fight for equality. -
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was one of the fathers in the progression of civil rights activism. Douglass, the author of "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?", exposes the hypocrisy of a society that celebrates freedom while keeping millions of people in slavery. He advocated for the abolition of slavery through his persuasive writings and speeches. -
"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
In this speech, Frederick Douglass challenges the idea of Independence Day. He begins by stating that although the day was created to celebrate freedom, African Americans do not get to share that celebration. Douglass's speech is quite powerful, and challenges the principles of the nation, showing the contrast between the country's ideas whilst calling for an action fo unity. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued during the Civil Wwar by President Abraham Lincoln. The Proclamation declared that enslaved people in Confederate states were free. Although it did not free all African Americans, it inspired many African American men to join the Union Army, shifting the war's focus to ending slavery. -
Lincoln's Second Inagural Address
Author- Abraham Lincoln -
Lincoln's Second Inagural Address
In Lincoln's address, Lincoln discusses how the country has been torn apart after the war and calls for unification. He speaks to the people that although the North and South have different opinions on slavery, they are united under the same God. Lincoln's speech focuses on urging Americans to move forward into a future of healing and reconciliation. -
W.E.B Du Bois
W.E.B Du Bois was the first Black American to earn a PhD from Harvard. Du Bois founded the NAACP and promoted education for African Americans, believing that they should go to school and get jobs, so that they may earn the respect of others. The NAACP fought for civil rights and led campaigns to stop lynching. Their work eventually led to segregation in schools being outlawed. -
"Sweat"
Author- Zora Neale Hurston -
"Sweat"
Written by Zora Neale Hurston, this short story shows the brutality that Delia, the main character, endures from her husband as an African American woman. Delia constantly wants to live her life independently but cannot do so even if she tries. However one day, she is finally set free as her husband dies from a snake bite. This story empowers African American women to stand up towards freedom and take their independence back. -
The Zoot Suit Riots
The Zoot Suit Riots were a form of peaceful protest through fashion but soon became Wartime L.A. The Zoot Suits united Mexican Americans, first-generation Americans, and even second generations. In the days that followed these violent riots, and after the Mexican Embassy wrote to the State Department demanding an explanation for violence, Governor Earl Warren appointed a special commission to investigate the Zoot riots finding that racism played a major role in this event. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks fought for civil rights by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. This decision led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott after her arrest. The Montgomery Boycott led to desegregation in 1956. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks's arrest for refusing to give up her seat served as an inspiration to others facing this social injustice. The 381-day movement was a powerful demonstration against racial segregation in public transit. The Supreme Court's decision that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional put an end to the boycott. -
Little Rock Nine
The governor of Arkansas ordered the National Guard to prevent nine African American students from entering Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. President Eisenhower was in office and had sent the U.S. Army to accompany the students into the school. Although the soldiers remained in the school to protect the students, white students continuously harassed the boys. This event challenged segregation in public schools and marked a turning point in the civil rights movement. -
Malcolm X
Malcolm X, a muslim, advocated for Black seprartism and empowerment within Islam. He participated in many public speeches to fight for civil rights and believed that the people should physically fight for their rights if need be. Malcolm worked along side Martin Luther King Jr. on methods to fight for civil rights, after he had made his pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in 1964. -
"A Letter to My Nephew"
Author- James Baldwin -
"A Letter to My Nephew"
In James Baldwin's letter to his nephew, he talks about how the world is harsh place for African Americans, such as themselves. He discusses how the world has hardly changed since grandfather'stime and that the world will not change no matter what. James states that although the world is cruel, they can fight for their rights and make the world a better place day by day. -
The March on Washington
On this day, close to 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to show their support for the civil rights bill. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I have a dream" speech to speak on what the true American society should be. This event was a demonstration of peaceful protest. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist leader who fought using peaceful protest and speeches. Luther played a role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Park's arrest. He left a huge landmark in today' society as he paved the way for Americans of an color to live together and not divided. Martin is mostly remembered for his "I have a dream" speech during the "March on Washington." -
Rainbow Coalition
The Rainbow Coalition was a multicultural political alliance founded in 1969 by Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party in Chicago. It united various marginalized groups, including the Young Lords, the Young Patriots, and others, to fight for social injustice and against police brutality. Although short-lived, the coalition emphasized solidarity across racial and ethnic lines, recognizing shared struggles against systemic oppression. -
"Between the World and Me"
Author- Ta-Nehisi Coates -
"Between the World and Me"
Coates describes how America claims to be a perfect nation, but is built on oppression. He draws from personal experiences and incidences of others who had lost their lives due to racial injustice. Ta-Nahisi talks about how American society hurts his people and yet no one is held responsible for their actions.