Ever Present Civil Rights Threats.

Little Rock, Arkansas. Jena, Louisiana. Very different, and yet exactly the same. One happened in the 1960s, while the other occurred a mere 4 years ago. And yet, we have the nerve to say that the era of Civil Rights issues is behind us. It hurts me to think that we still live in a country in which students my own age are persecuted because of the color of their skin. We have seen the fight for equality. We have heard the screams of terror from our peers. Yet, when will this all finally end. Under our own noses this is happening. In a town of upper class behavior, and peace, we can still today see a bus driver not let a student on a bus because he feels the student cannot possible live in such a town. Why? Because he is black.

To stand up in front of a class full of students, and preach that we have equality. To say that the Civil Rights era say an end to the hatred, and the discrimination that was once seen in our country. To do all this: is a crime. And until we can honestly preach equality, perhaps we should start trying to make it so.

What Means are Necessary?

When looking at the Civil Rights movement in our country, two names immanently jump out: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. These two men drove the Civil Rights push in the 1960s, however they did so using two drastically different means. King was all about nonviolent protesting, civil disobedience, and sit ins; perhaps he could be likened to a American Gandhi in his methods. X however, was very contrary to Kings methods. He believed that their goal should be accomplished by "any means necessary." So i suppose the question is, what means truly were "necessary"?

We must begin by looking at what the goals of the movement was before we can analyze which method was the most effective. Though there were innumerable goals during the Civil Rights Movement, here is the short list:

• meaningful civil rights laws,
• a massive federal works program,
• full and fair employment,
• decent housing,
• the right to vote, and
• adequate integrated education.

With these few goals in mind, we can begin to discuss the methods that should be used in order to accomplish such. Though it seems that at times violence, and hatred is the only way that things can change, and things can be accomplished; in this case, i think that is not the answer. When we get to the root of the Civil Rights Movement, it was racism. So the question is, why? African-Americans where at one point only Africans. They were brought into the United States as slaves. At that time, they were seen as less than human, barbaric, and generally no good. For this reason, violence and hatred is not the answer. Violence is exactly what the tormentors wanted. They wanted nothing more than a picture of video of a Black man beating a White man. For if they had this, was not their point proven? 

Meritocracy or Meritocrazy?

Meritocracy, defined as an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth, is a concept as old as democracy. This is a very similar idea that philosophers such as Plato preached in Ancient Greece, ideas that even Plato but off as idealistic, and unpractical.


America has always been a country in which people come, and are told that they can achieve the dream, and they can have a better life. However, as a country, we fail to live up to our open promises. Perhaps we should place an asterisk next to the welcome sign. For all the good that is found in our country, and was found in our country since it's birth, there is an equal amount of bad. We do not live in a country where anyone can achieve the "American dream". Hell, it should not even be referred to as the "American dream," perhaps "White European American dream" would be a more fitting title.  


The fact that third grade teachers, who are divided by the color of their eyes and made out to be either inferior or superior, felt the sting of racism in a day makes it hard to believe that someone who is exposed to this on a daily basis could possibly achieve such greatness. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, and in todays world it is even more common. However, is not the fact that when we see a black, Hispanic, or any other race of people in a position of prominence and are amazed at what they must have had to overcome to get there evidence enough that meritocracy is not here.


Perhaps it can be found somewhere. Perhaps someday. Perhaps.

I Am..

I am one of the "Little Rock 9."
I wonder if i'll make it out alive.
I hear the hatred in their jeers.
I see the disgust in their eyes.
I want to be accepted.
I am one of the "Little Rock 9."

I pretend that i don't hear them.
I feel the hate they speak.
I need to be accepted.
I worry for our lives.
I cry each day and night.
I am one of the "Little Rock 9."

I understand that i chose this.
I believe that it will be okay.
I dream the dream of equality.
I try my best to smile.
I hope each day for the future.
I am one of the "Little Rock 9."

Sexism in Perspective

It is not difficult for us to find examples of sexism in our past, or in the world today. Everywhere we go we are fed different stereotypes, and ideals that some people seem to think are socially acceptable. We constantly hear that the "womens place" is in the kitchen, or that men should not have to clean, they are the "working men" of the family. Do we not see something wrong with these ideals? It seems insane to think that people go out in public and preach these ideas, and no one says a thing to them. This is a serious problem in society today, and it was no different 60 years ago.

This ad is from the early 1950s, and is a perfect example of the problem of sexism back then. Society was so engulfed by the idea that a womens job was to cook and clean, and men had no business doing either. This ad, and hundreds others like this support this very idea. A picture speaks a thousand words; and this picture is screaming women=cleaning. Where the justification for any of this comes from? I do not know. However, we can only hope that in the "progressive" society we live in today, maybe some of this will change.

TV? Good or Bad?

Does TV Effect Children?

This is a topic that has been widely debated since Televisions humble beginnings in the late 1920s. From a historical standpoint, the answer would have to be no. When Television was first introduced into homes, not much changed. It was a novel idea, but it did not change the habits of children to the extent that people today seem to think. This may be due to the limitations of television at that time. In todays world, TV is almost limitless, and many adults do not like this fact. They find that their children are not being brought up the same due to TV. And there is some truth to this. Yes, TV is a major factor in obesity in teenagers. And yes, many topics advocated on TV are negative influences on children. However, i have a difficult time believing that the actions of children can be affected by television. The root of children's actions is inherently related to their parents, and not the shows on television. People are simply looking for something to blame.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words..

The Presidential debate was underway; the crowd was silent and the panel was all but ready to begin. This was to be a intriguing debate, for both candidates were quite controversial, and America sat on the edge of their seats in eager anticipation. 


One man in particular, a John Logan, was especially on edge. For Mr. Logan had too been running for the high office, however he failed to make it past the primary and remained quite bitter. Having never truly won anything in his life-though being better qualified than anyone at most everything he did-he felt that the Presidency was his chance. His deep and contemplative face, which had often been discussed during the primary, was evident in the crowd. He awaited the debate with America, however, disaster was what he came to see.


The panel began to ask questions of the candidates, and as expected they failed to be anything more than unaffecting. Logan still sat in the audience (hidden to this point, so not to draw attention to himself), although now his deep and contemplative face bore a small smirk- one of more than just humor, but of happiness; this is what he had come to see. 


Logan sat silently alone, still trying to fathom the fact that these two unqualified men were on stage as he sat hidden in the audience. And then suddenly, none of that mattered; in a matter of moments all that changed. A curve-ball was thrown by the panel, that left both candidates quiet. This was Logan's chance. He stood in the audience and amid gasps from the audience-for no one expected him to be here-he answered the question asked of the candidates. Logan then simply walked out; knowing at last, that he had won.

Story based off: Freedom of Speech. By Norman Rockwell.