Voting Rights

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Out of all the choices made by the characters in March, I personally think that the choice to get Black Americans to wait in line until they register was the best idea. I think that it was the best because no one died from it and it helped to get the ball rolling more for equal voting rights. It was a good way of showing opposition to segregationist politicians like George Wallace as well. Also, actions like this were an excellent way of saying that the segregationist system was not something that they were willing to live with.

Although at the time when they were planning this it was definitely very risky, the benefits largely outweighed the costs. This is true because if actions were not taken segregationist politicians could have stayed in power for much longer. Not only that but the right to vote is a very important right that should be given equally to all people regardless of race or ethnicity. For example, the right to vote can change the course of history. However, this did come at the possible cost of those standing in line getting hurt or even killed. But even with this possibility I think that without hindsight it was still the right move as there are arguments for voting being a right worth dying for.

With hindsight included it becomes even more of a good idea. Not only did the loopholes to make it very difficult for Black Americans not be able to vote go away but segregation would end due to things like this. Luckily no one died and the goal of getting segregationist politicians out of office would be fulfilled as well. In conclusion, I think that waiting in line to register to vote is one of the best choices made by any character in March.

The Horrors of June 21, 1964

Engl 165-16 Fall '22, March Blog Prompt

Tags: Activism, Andy Goodman, James Chaney, March book 3, Mickey Schwerner

Mickey Schwerner, Andy Goodman, and James Chaney were all civil rights activists who were working on a project for the Congress of Racial Equality, or CORE for short. One of their main goals was to get black people to register to vote in Mississippi. Mickey Schwerner was married to Rita Schwerner Bender who was also a civil rights activist in Mississippi. Before moving to Mississippi, Schwerner led a CORE group in Manhattan and was also helping in trying to desegregate Maryland. Andrew Goodman had grown up in a community that was very big into activism and socially progressive. James Chaney was very big on activism from his teen years and continued into his adulthood. He had been a part of the freedom bus rides that traveled from Tennessee to Mississippi.

They were attacked by KKK members and were killed while traveling back to Mississippi from Ohio. They were first stopped by a deputy for speeding and once released they continued on their way back to Meridian. The deputy followed them all the way to the county line where he once again pulled them over but instead of taking them into the station he took them to a deserted area. The deputy turned them over to the KKK where they were severely beaten and shot then they were buried and remained undiscovered for over 40 days. They were traveling to a church that had been burned down that they were planning on using as a freedom school. It was as they were returning from the church that they were harassed by the deputy and taken to a secluded area. There were 18 men arrested in regard to their murder yet only ten were actually convicted of anything. None of the men arrested had a trial held for murdering Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney.

Ariana October 31, 2022

Victims of Hate.

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Tags: Activism, crime, memorial, victims

Three men were brought to the attention of the public when they disappeared near a town named Philadelphia in Mississippi.

Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney were victims of heinous murders committed by the Klu Klux Klan. They were targeted because of their involvement in civil right activism. Schwerner and Goodman were members of the Congress of Racial Equality, also known as the CORE.

Michael Schwerner was not only an activist but was a husband. He was married to Rita Levant, at the time of his death she was attending Queen’s College. He grew up in New York City and was raised by his father and mother, Nathan and Ann Schwerner.

Like Schwerner, Andrew Goodman was also from New York City. He was the son of Robert Goodman and Carolyn Goodman and the brother of Johnathan and David. At the time of his death, he was still attending college. He died at age 20.

James Chaney was one of two sons Fannie Lee and Ben Chaney had. His little brother’s name was Ben, he was only nine years younger than him. Unlike Schwerner and Goodman, Chaney was born in Meridian, Mississippi.

All three victims had families they were ripped away from. They were ripped away from the opportunity to continue to advocate for civil rights. They were ripped away from their lives by individuals with such heinous intentions. Unfortunately, they are known for their murders but should be recognized for their lives and the impact they were trying to make.

Sources:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-kkk-kills-three-civil-rights-activistshttps://www.visitmeridian.com/explore/historic-trail-markers/civil-rights/civil-rights-trail-marker-18/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/freedomsummer-murder/

Alaina October 31, 2022 1 Comment

Who Were They?

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

On June 21, 1964, three civil rights workers named Mickey Schwerner, Andy Goodman, and James Chaney were murdered in Neshoba County. The civil rights workers had gone to Neshoba to investigate the burning of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. The Lauderdale County unit, Neshoba County unit, and Ku Klux Klan murdered the three activists, then buried them. Now the real question is who was Mickey Schwerner, Andy Goodman, and James Chaney?
Mickey Schwerner was born on November 6th, 1939, in New York City. Mickey Schwerner was a white Jewish-American civil rights activist. Mickey graduated Cornell University in 1961, and later become a social worker in Manhattan. June 1962 Mickey married Rita Levant and they joined the Congress on Racial Equality the next year together.
Andrew Goodman was born on November 23, 1943, in New York City. Andrew Goodman was a white American civil rights activist. People described Andrew as a smart student with an innate kindness and a strong commitment towards social activism. Andrew’s parents were supporters of equality and social justice which influenced Andrew to become involved in social and political activism at a youthful age. Andrew volunteered to take part in the Freedom Summer campaign to register Black people to vote in Mississippi, where he met James Chaney, and Mickey Schwerner.
James Chaney was born on May 30, 1943, in Meridian, Mississippi. James Chaney’s parents ingrained a keen sense of racial pride into him at an early age. In 1959 James and his friends were suspended from school for wearing buttons that condemned the local chapter of NAACP for not acting on racial issues. Chaney was expelled a year later for a similar incident, then went to work with his father as a plasterer. 1963 Chaney joined the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).
These three men were murdered for fighting for human rights. Their bodies were recovered from Earthen Dam by the FBI on August 4, 1964. I would join a movement that has great meaning to me, even if it risked my life. I would be sticking up for what I believe in, and what others like me believe in.

Michael Schwerner Andrew Goodman James Chaney

Resources:

“James Chaney Fought for Civil Rights – African American Registry.” African American Registry, 2019, aaregistry.org/story/james-chaney-fought-for-civil-rights/.
“Andrew Goodman.” Thefamouspeople.com, 2011, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/andrew-goodman-4617.php.
“Michael Schwerner Dared to STAND – African American Registry.” African American Registry, 2011, aaregistry.org/story/michael-schwerner-dared-to-stand/.
“The Murder of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner – MS Civil Rights Project.” Mscivilrightsproject.org, 2019, mscivilrightsproject.org/neshoba/event-neshoba/the-murder-of-chaney-goodman-and-schwerner/.
Image- Simkin, John. “Michael Schwerner.” Spartacus Educational, 2016, spartacus-educational.com/USAschwerner.htm.
Image- “James Chaney Was One of Three Civil Rights Workers Who Were Killed By…” Getty Images, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/james-chaney-was-one-of-three-civil-rights-workers-who-were-news-photo/514682504. Accessed 28 Oct. 2022.
Image- Birthday, Today. “Andrew Goodman Biography, Age, Weight, Height, Friend, Like, Affairs, Favourite, & Other.” Today Birthday, 10 June 2017, todaybirthday.in/andrew-goodman-biography-age-weight-height-friend-like-affairs-favourite-birthdate-other/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2022.

Bradley October 31, 2022 4 Comments

3 people, 3 deaths

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Tags: Civil Rights, Freedom, Justice

Michael (Mickey) Schwerner, Andrew (Andy) Goodman, and James Chaney were all civil rights activists who promoted voting registration among African Americans. Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman, two of his closest friends, traveled to Longdale to visit a Methodist Church that was bombed by the Klu Klux Klan because it was going to be used as a Freedom School. They were then arrested but released later on in the evening. After being released they were walking on the side of the road when they were horribly mobbed, killed, and buried in an earthen dam by the Klu Klux Klan. FBI agents then found their bodies a few days later in the dam at Old Jolly Farm.

Michael Schwerner a white Jewish-American civil rights activist was born in 1939 and killed in 1964. He was married to Rita Levant, both field workers and a part of the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE). In the summer of 1964, he organized and led Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) to intend to hold classes and drives to register African Americans to vote in the state, which was called Freedom Summer. Schwerner was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Andrew Goodman was also a white Jewish-American civil rights activist and was born in 1943. He wasn’t married but did have a brother named, David. While he was in college he joined Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) and volunteered in the Freedom Summer campaign.

Alike Goodman, James Chaney was born in 1943. When Chaney was 15, him and his friends all wore paper bandages that read “NAACP” (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) showing their support for civil rights organization. In the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) he organized voter education classes, introduced Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) workers to local church leaders, and helped the workers get around the counties.

One thing I noticed was that two out of these three men were white men just standing up for what they believe in. They were mobbed and murdered not because of their color but for supporting people of color. Personally, I wouldn’t do something that I knew would get me killed just because I’m not the type of person to take huge risks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Chaney

Michael Schwerner, Activist born

Jessica October 31, 2022 1 Comment

Mickey Schwerner, Andy Goodman, and James Chaney

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Tags: Andy Goodman, James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, Racism, Social Justice

Mickey Schwerner, Andy Goodman, and James Chaney were murdered by Klu Klux Klan members in 1964. They were freedom activists who were riding to Mississippi in reaction to the burning of the Mnt Zion Church. The Klan wanted to kill CORE leader Mickey Schwerner for his devotion to integration in the south. During their ride, they were stopped by fake police. Klan members then murdered Mickey Schwerner and Andy Goodman before beating James Chaney and shooting him.

It is hard for me to grasp that this level of crime was being organized against racial integration at this time. All three of these people were dedicated to fighting for racial justice. They put their lives on the line for what they believed in. Mickey Schwerner moved his wife closer to Mississippi so he could start his new life working for $9.80 an hour as a social worker. James Chaney was a fifteen-year-old African American boy who join the CORE movement to fight for social justice. He was murdered by Klan members before he could make it to Mt. Zion Methodist Church. Andy Goodman was also a member of CORE and was riding to Mt. Zion Methodist Church. He was shot in the heart by police and the Klu Klux Klan.

I do not know what I would do in a situation like this. There are many problems going on currently in the world that my peers and I do not react to in the same ways as these three men did. I do not know if I would risk my life for something I thought was so much bigger than me. I feel like sometimes my actions will never affect the bigger picture of any huge problem. I do respect them though for their brave actions and dedication to social justice.

Andrew October 31, 2022 1 Comment

Pushing Through Adversity

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Tags: adversity, discrimination, event, marchbook, motivation

Putting Myself in Their Shoes covers the horrific events and racist treatment people of color experienced.

The writer focuses on the four young girls that died in the bombing in the basement of the Sunday school building. The incident was a tragedy. The bombing was the cause of four deaths and many injuries. It is more disturbing that a bomb was placed in a place of worship for children. A place that would be seen as a place of safety and comfort. The writer questions why an individual would choose to do such a heinous crime which made me, a reader, question it as well. I can only believe that such a heinous crime could only be committed by an individual with so much hate. The ability to commit a crime of that magnitude is unbelievable and disheartening because people have to experience discrimination because of the color of their skin.

The writer shifts to talk about the impact of Frannie Lou. As a reader, it is inspiring to learn about individuals who experience discrimination and such negativity but choose to do good despite their experiences. It can be understandable if individuals shut down after traumatic experiences because of the magnitude of the situation. It takes great strength to use negative experiences as motivation and reason to rise above the individuals who have been harmed and discriminated. People should be recognized and praised for pushing through adversities.

Alaina October 31, 2022

Who Were They?

Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Tags: Andy Goodman, civil rights workers, James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, who were they

Three names. Three missing people. But who were they really?

Mickey Schwerner
Andy Goodman
James Chaney

Who were they? Do some research and find out what you can about these three men. Be careful to cite your sources and do NOT plagiarize your posts by copying and pasting partial or whole sentences into your post. Add photos, images from old newspapers, videos, whatever you can find, but be careful not to plagiarize. Think about what you would like to know about them. Did they have wifes, children, were they single? Where did they work, why had they joined the fight for civil rights?

Would you join a cause that you KNEW had the potential to get you killed? Why or why not?

[Image from https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2021/06/25/mississippi-burning-case-files-documents-released-state-57-years-later/5333472001/]

Dianna October 27, 2022

A Sunday to Remember

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

Tags: Civil Rights, equality, March book 3

The book starts on a normal Sunday morning and everyone was doing their normal Sunday routine. The day ends in a terrible fright as someone throws a bomb at the poor church. The news spread like wildfire over the radio and everyone knew about it in no time. Imagine waking up that day and planning on doing what you do every Sunday. The church was full of innocent people who just wanted to worship their God that Sunday. What kind of person would bomb a church full of innocent people? Innocent lives were lost that day to the hatred someone had for black people. Many families lost their loved ones and with that, they gained a lifetime of grief. I do not know what I would do if I was ever in a situation like that. To be living my life like I do every day and for something so bad to happen so suddenly would be something I would never recover from. What could I or anyone else have done to make the bombing affect the town any less? How do you make it easier for someone to live every day after that knowing that someone they loved is now gone? Nothing could change the hatred this person had towards black people nor could it bring the victims back. What could anyone have possibly done to stop something like this from happening? People fought long and hard to make a change in the world and this was the response they got. After the bombing happened the violence got so much worse. More innocent lives were lost and the only real reason for it was because the victims were black. If this was not enough to show the world that black people need help, then what will really show them?

Tamya October 21, 2022 1 Comment

Freedom

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

People protest to be heard, to be seen. All the African Americans, freedom riders, we’ve spent the last month reading about in March were actively protesting for change, for a better life, and to be seen as equal. There was no performative activism occurring, these people risked their lives for change. Nowadays, there’s so much performative activism going around on social media. While it still boosts and shines a light on big issues in our society, I don’t believe it’s right for people to just repost topics and problems they don’t care about or even educated themselves on. I used to be a lot more outgoing with my political views containing human rights, sexism issues, and LGBTQA+ but in the last year, I’ve become more reserved about my views for the sake of my peace. I don’t engage in arguing or going back and forth on topics with random people when either of our viewpoints will change. It’s exhausting and a mental strain, especially when it can be family members or close peers.

I’ve never exactly spent time thinking about how far I would go for my freedom. Though through my mom and watching her family in Panama go through hardships, and seeing how much less advantaged they are compared to my family in the United States. I try to ask about how problems down in Central America are going when I can. They deal with plenty of discrimination, hunger, inequality in pay between men and women, environmental damage, lack of education, and poverty. Their hourly minimum wage in Panama is between $1.22 to $2.36, compared to the minimum wage of $7.25 in the United States. Personally, If I lived in Panama I would want to protest for higher wages and equality. I would want to be heard, seen, and not swept under the rug. I would want better education, not to have to worry about where my next meal is coming from and deal with not getting a good job just because I’m a woman. It’s frustrating having the United States and other bigger countries focusing on problems like abortion but won’t participate in helping solve issues like ongoing discrimination, lack of education, and world hunger throughout the world.

Social issues in Central America (the origins)

Maddie October 21, 2022 4 Comments