Final Blog

In 1967’s Chaos or Community, by Martin Luther King, King provides some information that makes several points about civil rights. He says that when the constitution was written “the negro was only 60 percent of a person” (6). This means that they were considered half of a person.  They weren’t being treated as equals. King continues, and states that the infant mortality rate of the African-Americans is doubled compared to the whites. There were twice as many African Americans fighting in Vietnam, and twice as many deaths.  He also mentions that the African Americans fell behind in school compared to the white Americans by 3 years. I wasn’t because the African Americans were dumb or anything, just that they didn’t have the same resources the white Americans had. Also 1 out of every 20 African Americans compared to the white Americans attended college. King states that 50 percent of the white population didn’t want any “negroes” living around them. The other 50 percent either didn’t care or just didn’t associate themselves with the African Americans.

                In May of 2012 a NY Times article, In May of 2012 a NY Times article, Whites Account for Under Half of Births in U.S., Whites Account for Under Half of Births in U.S., states that White America doesn’t account for the majority of births anymore. The white Americans are now considered the minorities, but only due to the birth rates. Hispanics, blacks, Asians, and those who are of mixed races now account for more than half of the births in the United Sates. This has been the first time in history where the majority of births aren’t white.

                It has been about 45 years since African-Americans were fighting for civil rights and equality. African-Americans do not account for 60% of a person like they did 45 years ago. They are now considered people and aren’t treated as animals. Now in the year 2012, everyone is some-what treated as equals. There are still those people that feel that they’re inferior to others. Now that minorities are now being considered the majority, things will slowly start to change.

Black Power Mixtape

Talib Kweli was intercepted by federal agents for listening to a thirty year old Stokely speech. Seems that that government still fears Stokely..

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King and Carmichael

            King and Carmichael are two different, but very similar black men. King implies that the blacks have begun to use non-violent demonstrations and marches to prove to the whites that violence isn’t the answer. On the other hand Carmichael is saying that the blacks should defend themselves and that the whites should stop hiding behind police officers and stand up for themselves. I agree that King and Carmichael both believe in non-violence, to a certain extent, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe Carmichael is a very violent black man. Although I disagree with much of what King says, I fully endorse his final conclusion that violence is not the answer.

LaGuardia and Wagner Archives

Our class trip to the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives was very interesting and fun. We got to learn more about the Harlem riots of 1964 and how Mayor Wagner felt about the entire situation. Mayor Wagner felt that his job there was to maintain law and order, saying that the police are there to protect us, but the negroes at the time didn't feel the same way.  As soon as we got to the archives we were told that we weren't aloud to have any food or drinks upon entering the archives or even have our bags in there. They also showed us a couple cool artifacts that belong to Mr. Wagner, like his autographed glove, signed by Muhammad Ali, and his authentic Mets  jacket. The archives is a place where they hold documents, artifacts, and etc. on Mayor Wagner and others.
While at the archives we were given an article of a speech that Mayor Wagner gave at the time of the riots. Wagner starts off the speech a little upset because he was outside the country having a World Conference, and had to cut it short because of what was going on in the city. He arrived to boarded up windows, crowds of people in their stoops, people scared looking out their windows, and also debris that was left behind after on going battles of the people and the cops. At the end of his speech, Mayor Wagner states that he is there to maintain law and order and that the people shouldn't be fighting the cops that they are there to protect us.

Blog 1: Workin On The Chain Gang

In this blog I will discuss the introduction to Walter Mosley’s Workin On The Chain Gang. He discusses how the human race hasn’t changed much over the years. He says that we’re “still suffering and killing and hating each other” (Mosley 3). Slavery has been going on for over a hundred years and is still going on today. Technology has been a downfall for us. It has taken us to un-imaginary places, he states “Technology has taken us to the moon, but not before it managed to eradicate millions of un-wanted souls in the search for genetic purity” (Mosley 4). He says that the new millennium will bring forth a clean slate where everyone can start fresh. We have the ability to end world hunger and chose not to. We make our own decisions, good or bad. The government makes decisions based on profit. He says “children are starving but that has nothing to do with business” (Mosley 5). Advancements do not come in time but with hard work. For example, the first steam train was built in 1865, the same year that slaves got their freedom. During the 1960s African-Americans were still fighting for their rights, “while technological advancement had brought us into outer space” (Mosley 9). That shows to prove that racism is a huge problem in society. People have come together and become more diverse due to their jobs. Mosley says “what black people have experienced as a group for centuries many whites now experience as solitary and alienated individuals” (Mosley 15).