Black Militancy, late 1960s

You are a black individual living in the US in the 1960s; the police have harassed you, and you have seen friends killed by the police for little or nothing other than the color of their skin. You have also worked for and seen the tremendous strides taken by MLK and the non-violent movement. Now the Black Panthers approach you to join them in feeding the poor of your community, educating your neighborhood kids and protecting them from police brutality, meeting violence with violence if need be. What is your decision and why?

Selma, 1965

You are a marcher on the 70 plus-mile journey from Marion to Montgomery, Alabama, when Gov. George Wallace stops the march after crossing the bride at Selma and violence breaks out. After the federal government steps in and ensures you complete the march describe your feelings once you finally reach Montgomery and hear Martin Luther King speak in front of the state house.

Freedom Summer, 1964

Your friends have been found shot and buried; the justice system does very little to right these wrongs committed. How do you remain in the movement in the face of so many roadblocks, or do you? Explain.

Birmingham 1963

You have answered MLK’s call to a peaceful protest and now find yourself face to face with police dogs and fire hoses. What was running through your mind as these officials attack you and your friends so violently?

Sit-Ins - 1960

You are a member of the Sit-in Movement in Nashville and you have been spit on, struck and assaulted for simply sitting at the lunch counter. How did you feel while planning these events knowing the violence you would face? How did you remain peaceful? Is it worth it? What are your reactions?

Emmett Till

You have just seen the photos of Emmett Till in the paper. What is your reaction to these photos and this crime especially given the fact that you are interested in social justice and you feel an urge to do something about this? What direction do you think this relatively small civil rights movement should take from this important and horrible place?