Week 10

Why nonviolence?

Within the civil rights movement there were two major camps regarding the most effective strategy to deal with overtly racist policies, people and communities. For many year Martin Luther King, Jr. sat at one pole of the nonviolence question while Malcolm X sat on the other. While one would profess the importance of humility and forgiveness of those that wrong us the other believed in self defense by any means necessary.

In addition to your regular reading for the blog post this week I would like you to read Malcolm X (Ballot or the Bullet speech) and Martin Luther King Jr. (Nonviolence and Racial Justice). Answer the following questions in your post. Be sure to respond to another student.
 

• What were three major themes that stood out to you as you read the material? Describe the conditions in society that both MLK Jr. and Malcolm X were responding to in their speech/essay.
• Explain their rationale for their chosen strategy to address racist and classist oppression in the United States.
• What strategy would you employ if you were subjected to the conditions highlighted by Martin & Malcolm? What would be your rationale?

• What movements today inspire a conversation about violent and nonviolent political action?
• How do we commonly learn about political dissent? Do you feel encouraged to speak your mind? and/or advocate for what you believe in?

Readings/Resources (Optional additional reading)
PBS Special on the Weather Underground
The Weather Underground
List of Weatherman actions
Weatherman Member List
 

Requirements for BLOG POSTS

• You must write 250 words each post (due Thursday @ Midnight), Responses to two other students 50 words each (due Sunday @ midnight)
• Students must post during the week the blog is assigned or it will not be graded.