Meritocracy

Meritocracy is basically a group of people that their success is based on ability and talent, not on what school they go, or what teacher they have, or how much money they have. During segregation, people had a bigger opportunity in progress according to their social class and economical status, which was mostly white people. Black people didnt have the same opportunity that the white people had, whether it was at school or at work. I think that you should be able to succeed anywhere, whether you are in the best private school of the country, or the worst public school; whether you have the best teacher ever, or you have a horrible teacher. I believe we all have the same opportunity. However, it may be more difficult for some people than others. Because some people might have more obstacles to overcome like getting that horrible teacher to like you, instead of the other people with the awesome teacher who have less obstacles. But you have to keep in mind that nothing is impossible if you set your mind into it, and even more if its for your own benefit! If you really want something, you will do WHATEVER it takes to get there, no matter the obstacles!

The Jena 6

After I read the article, I thought about the quote "history repeats itself." I honestly didnt really buy into that theory but I am very more convinced of it after reading what happened in Jena. People would think that the African american civil rights movement was something we learn in textbooks that happened in the past and that its over, but clearly, is not. I think that this shows how society has changed because of the roles that were reversed in this incident. With the little rock nine, black students were being attacked by white students. It seems that this has changed because white students were attacked by African american students. However, the white students did something that, in my opinion, speaks more that what the black students did. They hung nooses on the trees and they were not punished for it. The Jena and the Little Rock incidents are similar because they both happened at a high school , they drew public attention and they show how the civil rights issue is still going on.

Love and kindness vs Threat and Fear

Malcolm x and Martin Luther King were very different but at the same time very alike. They were fighting for the same cause, in a way, but they used different methods to approach it. Matin Luther King used non-violent methods and protests to get his point out. In the other hand, Malcolm x says he would use "any means necessary" to achieve his goals. So, which one was more effective? Lets give an example. When someone wants information or money or whatever they want, would you think they would talk you into it in a nice, warm tone or will they just take out a gun and point it at your head ready to shoot? I think the answer is obvious. However, Martin Luther King did accomplish some things by his non-violent method. But people are driven to do crazy things out of fear. And one of the biggest fears is death. So I think that Malcolm x's method was more effective.

Topic 11 Study Guide

-MLK and Civil Disobedience
MLK: american prominent leader in the African american civil rights movement. was assassinated later in Tennessee.Used boycotting and protested without violence.
Civil disobedience: the refusal to obey some laws because you don't believe it follows an equal treat to everyone.

-Power of the “Mob”
when more people were involved in the Mob, or protest, the more powerful it will become and it will help their cause.

-Plessy v. Ferguson vs. Brown v. Board of Education
In the plessy v ferguson trial, the court decided that separate but equal was a fair treat to everyone. in brown v board of education, the judges ruled that separate but equal was still a form of segregation so they said it was unconstitutional.

-Civil Rights Goals
the goals of civil rights are for everyone to get equal rights not based on the color of the skin.

-Eisenhower’s Role in Little Rock
eisenhower ordered troops to protect the nine in little rock. he never said he agreed to this but still supported them with protection.

-Rights of the Accused
->Gideon v Wainwright
the 6th amendment requires counsel for defendants who cannot afford to pay their own lawyer.
->Escobedo v Illinois
criminals have the right to counsel during a police interrogation and to refuse to answer any questions.
->Miranda v Arizona
criminals must be advised of their right to counsel before interrogation.

-Brown v. Board of Education
overruled plessy v ferguson court decision and integrated schools.

-Chavez and the United Farm Workers
Chavez founded the united farm workers and helped Hispanic immigrants earn rights through civil disobedience. he participated in fasts, grape strikes, etc. he supported anti immigration.

-FHA and ADA
FHA: federal housing administration. the government agency that insured loans made by banks and private lenders for home buying and building.this improves housing conditions and standards. it also provides an adequate home financing system through insurance of mortgage loans which stabilizes the market.
ADA: Americans with disabilities act. civil rights laws that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities that was enacted by the congress in 1990.

-Purpose of Filibusters
they were used in house of representatives and senates to stop civil rights legislations. they helped prevent the opposite side from talking.


-Sit-Ins and Other Protests
sit ins: people would just sit down in places as a form of protest. mobs attacked them. some were arrested. they used a continual cycled of turns and was very effective.
other protests: fasts, boycotts, etc.