Medgar Evers (A.G. & A.M.)
Who is Medgar Evers? What did he do? Well Medgar Evers was a civil rights movement activist. Evers was born on July 2, 1925 in Mississippi. At the age of 18, Evers was drafted into World War II and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946.
After being denied to law school, Evers becomes the first field secretary of the NAACP in Mississippi, and tried to end segregation. Medgar Evers decided to join the NAACP because he wanted to end the civil right movement by doing as much as he could. Evers made speeches, led demonstrations, and encouraged blacks to boycott stores owned by white businessmen who refused to hire or promote black workers. Evers also was involved in the Emmett Till murder case, in which he was responsible for getting witnesses, and securing safe passage from Mississippi. Medgar was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor given by the NAACP for giving his hardest on trying to end the civil right movement. Medgar Evers initial goal was for African-Americans to get the right to vote. He did as much as possible to end segregation and for blacks to have the right to vote.
One of Medgar Evers first assignments was the murder case of Emmett Till. The Emmett Till case is a case where a 14 year old was supposedly flirting with a white women. And sometime on August 27th, Emmett Till was kidnapped, beat, and shot to death. What Medgar Evers did to help the case was he and two other field workers, Ruby Hurley and Amzie Moore, tracked down potential witnesses to the events leading up to and including Till’s death. Evers convinced a couple people to come forward and become witnesses of the trial. The killers of Emmett Till were Roy Bryant and J.W milam. Within a hour of being in trial, they were found not guilty of murder and kidnapping.
On a June 12, 1963 day, Medgar Evers was getting out of his car, when Byron De La Beckwith pulls out a gun shoots Evers in the back. Byron De La Beckwith was a white supremacist, a member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) at the time when he shot Evers. Beckwith killed Medgar Evers because he hated blacks and what they were doing to end segregation. At the time, Evers was trying his hardest to end segregation by speeches, and encouraged blacks to boycott stores because whites wouldn’t hire blacks. Evers also encouraged African-Americans to register to vote, so even one more reason why Beckwith wanted to kill Medgar. Since he killed Evers, Beckwith was serving a life term for killing him. Byron De La Beckwith has recently died at the age of 80 years old.
At the age of 18 in 1943, Evers was drafted into world war Ⅱ. While Evers was in the war, he noticed that segregation was spreading in more places. Evers’ military experience with segregation in the service heightened his commitment to the civil rights struggle. When he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, he went to college at the University of Alcorn College. While he was at college he started to realize that segregation was everywhere, and that he could do something about the situation. After being denied to law school, it propelled Medgar to end segregation more than ever.
In 1963, after his death, Evers was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor given by the NAACP. The NAACP gave Medgar Evers the highest medal given by the NAACP, because for most of his life he fought for his life to end segregation. While he was with the NAACP, he gave up his life to end the movement. This is such a honor to get this award, people like Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Jesse Jackson, Bill Cosby, and ect. His death prompted President John Kennedy to ask Congress for a comprehensive civil-rights bill, which President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the following year. It says on the NAACP website for why he won, “ For his dedication and steadfast courage in the face of continued death threats.”
Ms. Evers (Medgar Wife) and a group of about 300 visitors, including Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and former President Bill Clinton, observed the 50th anniversary of Medgar Evers assassination on June 5th, 2013 at Arlington National Cemetery, where Evers is buried. According to the story it says, “Mr. Clinton said that Washington could learn from Mr. Evers.” Other speakers included Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy and a former governor of Mississippi, and Benjamin Todd Jealous, the president of the NAACP. Mr.Evers served in a segregated Army unit during World War Ⅱ. After returning to Mississippi in 1945, and joined the Civil Rights movement. “‘While African-Americans were the obvious beneficiaries of his life’s work, in a real sense he set us all free,” Mr. Mabus said.’ He added, “‘The Mississippi that my children grew up in is a far more just, far better place, than the Mississippi in which I was raised because of Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers and so many others like them.’
Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ZdfbuoPkDIBUYPR1L233LoZeURxMihv8rDUdOzqVFA/edit?usp=sharing
Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ZdfbuoPkDIBUYPR1L233LoZeURxMihv8rDUdOzqVFA/edit?usp=sharing
Malcolm X (E.T. and A.K.)
Malcolm X is a black activist. He had many dreams and wishes about equality and ending segregation. He was one of the most powerful leaders. He had a major effect on how the world looks at colored people today. His rough childhood shaped him to who he was because he had to be strong for his family. The life of Malcolm X is an impressive one for so many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is because of his will to rise above others.
The Young Believer Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam (NOI) as a young believer of racial rights. He studied and followed the works of NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. After an incident with Muhammad and Malcolm, he decided he was done studying the NOI but wanted to continue in his Muslim beliefs. Malcolm X even went on a pilgrimage to Mecca to visit those who shared his same beliefs.
His Goal Malcolm X’s goal in the civil rights movement was to change the unfair laws written on blacks. He thought that the greatest crime committed was the blacks were taught to hate themselves. He believed no one should be looked down upon because of their race or what religion they believed in. He preached about equality and wanted to change the ways himself.
Prison Break During his time spent in jail, Malcolm X realized how big of an injustice the black race was going through. He also thought that certain religions were getting discriminated against, including his own. He wanted the world to see that you can’t segregate people because of the color of their skin or the religious beliefs they have. Malcolm X wanted to share with the world that he believed people could all get along and make peace, regardless of their religion or race.
A Life Changing Trip On Malcolm’s trip to Mecca, he learned many things about himself. When he left Mecca his whole message changed. He learned Islamic ideas of brotherhood and love which really affected him on how he felt blacks should be treated compared to whites, this changed his look on the civil rights movement and it showed what he really wanted. During his trip he met many different leaders and shared personal stories and beliefs.
Paving His Own Path There were many different types of ways that Malcolm X tried to change the course of the black race’s future. He would hold protests with signs and newspapers, he would make speeches about injustice and segregation, and he attended different meetings with other Civil Rights activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X’s influence was extraordinarily strong on other people because of his strong and kind words toward the movement. He wanted peace and he wanted it immediately, and the fact that he was willing to work for it made him a major icon.
Malcolm X was one of the most important civil rights activists to ever live. He changed the course of history by speaking his words of wisdom to many people around him. Everyone who was touched by his words was affected in one way or another because of his tough words and strong tone. When Malcolm X was killed, many around the nation were shocked because one of their greatest leaders was now gone forever, and only the memory of his words will stand. But his passion for equality will live forever.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ff_DxijiKakc05YF61gXpsLFDsAZyAaFb3PC_bWLiqo/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ff_DxijiKakc05YF61gXpsLFDsAZyAaFb3PC_bWLiqo/edit?usp=sharing
Malcolm X (E.E. and P.G.)
Malcolm X’S Influence Throughout the Civil Rights Movement
Malcolm Little, or Malcolm "X" was a great influence on the civil rights moment. He was born into a poor family, moving to Lansing, Michigan shortly after he was born. The racism he was exposed to during his early age forged his fiery spirit to end segregation and mistreatment of his people. Later moving to Boston, Malcolm was sent to prison for ten years after various crimes, but emerged a new man. He began to protest with the civil rights movement and soon became an influential speaker, representing the black populations desire for respect.
Malcolm Little, or Malcolm "X" was a great influence on the civil rights moment. He was born into a poor family, moving to Lansing, Michigan shortly after he was born. The racism he was exposed to during his early age forged his fiery spirit to end segregation and mistreatment of his people. Later moving to Boston, Malcolm was sent to prison for ten years after various crimes, but emerged a new man. He began to protest with the civil rights movement and soon became an influential speaker, representing the black populations desire for respect.
Number One - Black Independence - Malcolm X believed that blacks and whites should not be integrated but be independent on their own societies. Malcolm, who would publicly deny that he was even an American, worked for a Nation of Islam that sought to create a separate society for its members. Malcolm rejected integration with white America as a worthwhile aim. This is very shocking to be heard of during the civil rights movement because it was thought to be a great conflict to intertwine between races. But Malcolm X thought that blacks should form their own businesses and societies to support themselves without the whites support.
Number Two - concerning violence - Malcolm had commonly stated that he would not allow blacks to seem defenseless. He disagreed with Martin Luther King's statement that blacks should never respond with violence. He disagreed with king because he thought Kings idea of nonviolence was just showing that the blacks were defenseless. Malcolm often recommended that blacks should respond with violence when they have been faced with others being violent towards them. Malcolm had said he would welcome non violence ounce black protesters were no longer sprayed by houses, have dogs let on them, attacked by policemen and whites who opposed the movement. Malcolm strongly felt that he could never surrender his self defense against white violence.
Number Three - Black Power - Malcolm was a black leader who, as a key spokesman for the Nation of Islam, epitomized the "Black Power" philosophy. By the early 1960s, he had grown frustrated with the non-violent, integrated struggle for civil rights and worried that blacks would ultimately lose control of their own movement. In February 1965, he was killed by members of the Nation of Islam, for Malcolm had recently left the organization. But even in death, his teachings lived on in the rhetoric of other black power organizations including the Black Panther Party. Even though Malcolm had stood for black power there were still many black citizens that disagreed with his philosophies.
Number Four - Change of view - Malcolm had a new message that needed to get out. Two days after he arrived at Kennedy airport he announced, while talking to a white reporter , that he had changed his mind about the whites. And shortly after, in Chicago, he stated that he would work with white groups if he felt that they were sincere in their efforts to help African-Americans gain a full measure of freedom. This marked Malcolms switch to nonviolent way, different from his fierce, defensive viewpoint earlier. Taking side with Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm starting should be equal but separate. They had fought for the same cause for showing a softer side of himself. while at Mecca he saw that all races were accepted. This influenced him to become more tolerant of white people as well as all other races.
Number Five - Malcolm and Martin - Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had very different opinions and were opponents of a sort. It is not surprising that King rejected the occasional ideas of Malcolm and might have even been one of his fiercest critics. Meanwhile Malcolm believed that King was soft and believed that blacks equality but had a great difference in the outcome of their final idea. But Martin Luther King and Malcolm X had not disliked each other because they had agreed and disagreed at times. King had said after Malcolm's death, “While we did deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had the great ability to put his finger on not always see eye to eye on methods to solve the race problem, I always had a the existence and root of the problem” (King, 26 February 1965).
Malcolm had a great influence during the civil rights movement and also had a great deal of influence. In the month prior to his death, Malcolm X had been dictating his biography to noted African-American author, Alex Haley. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1965, just months after Malcolm X's murder. It gave influence to a popular group The Black Panthers to form their group off of his ideas. To conclude not only did Malcolm X have a great influence during the civil rights though some deem it as controversial it had a great effect on the movement. And even after his death his voice echoed out throughout the movement. And during modern time some say a new Black Panther Party exists and is based in Texas. Also Malcolm's sin Quanell X is defending blacks for speaking their ideas to this modern day. In Fact recently he was supposed to hold a rally to defend Calvin Walker for his evaluation of crimes that he may it may not have committed in self defense or not. And it is said that Quanell X is the new leader of The Black Panthers. So malcolm continues to influence the world through his word and his children.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10E2_0lKsM5tVGbW_m6KDxoR3co4ZsIy5spRvMVTe5xo/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10E2_0lKsM5tVGbW_m6KDxoR3co4ZsIy5spRvMVTe5xo/edit?usp=sharing
Jesse Jackson (T.L. and B.K.)
Intro- Jesse Jackson is all about is all equal rights. He has not only help America for their equal rights but he has also gone to United Kingdom to promote minority participation in British elections in 2005
1- Jesse Jackson has always been a excellent public speaker through the civil rights movement and other issues such as gaining the freedom of a Navy pilot Robert Goodman in 1984. Jesse Jackson used his great speaking to free hundreds of people in Kuwait, along with three prisoners of war. For being a great citizen with helping during the civil rights movement, and helping with the events such as freeing people in foreign countries. President Bill Clinton awarded Jesse Jackson the medal of freedom. The Medal Of Freedom is the highest award that can be given to a U.S. civilian. “For these and other efforts, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to civilians in the United States.” This was on the International Civil Rights: Walk Of Fame.
Jesse Jackson was also one of the leaders for Operation PUSH. PUSH stands for People United to Save Humanity. The operations officially began on December 25, 1971. “At its inception Jackson planned to orient Operation Push toward politics and to pressure politicians to work to improve economic opportunities for blacks and poor people of all races.") Jackson also wanted to try to have more black people in the Republican Party. "Black people need the Republican Party to compete for us so we can have real alternatives ... The Republican Party needs black people if it is ever to compete for national office." (Jackson)
After Jesse Jackson met with Martin Luther King Jr. he joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Jackson became the director of operation breadbasket in the SCLC. With operation breadbasket Jesse would try to improve the economic condition of black communities. With this he would hold events and seminars to raise money for the black community.
Jesse Jackson also established the the National Rainbow Coalition which also helped with equal rights. “Jesse Jackson first established the National Rainbow Coalition which sought equal rights for blacks, women, and homosexuals. Became leading national advocate and spokesman for the black community.” () In 1966 National Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH joined together to become one bigger and better organization called the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
Jesse Jackson helped with Operation Black Vote. The OBV helps with black people learning about civic society. Jesse Jackson created this as a non profit organization to help black people learn about democracy as well democratic society. This image shows a ballot box which represents black people learning about what they are voting for such as presidents, governors, congressmen, etc.
Conclusion- Jesse Jackson was a civil rights activist who was good friends with Martin Luther King Jr. before he was assassinated and he did lots of work with Martin Luther King Jr. too. Jesse Jackson has spent most of his life trying to make this world a better place.
Jesse Jackson (K.K. and M.M.)
Jesse Jackson is a civil rights activist born in 1941. He was associated with Martin Luther King Jr. and many other activists. He participated in many different organizations and operations that have something to do with civil rights and the equal treatment of African-Americans. He is known for being a very important person in the 20th century. This article will give many facts about him during the civil rights era and today.
Jesse Jackson is a civil rights activist born in 1941. He was associated with Martin Luther King Jr. and many other activists. He participated in many different organizations and operations that have something to do with civil rights and the equal treatment of African-Americans. He is known for being a very important person in the 20th century. This article will give many facts about him during the civil rights era and today.
- He founded PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971 to convince companies to hire black workers. It also convinced inner city kids to study more to achieve greatness. He also was able to achieve some economic goals. The organization also pressured politicians to work to improve economic opportunities for black and poor people. (History.com)
- By the time Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated Jesse was King’s right hand man. He had befriended Dr. King and other civil rights leaders and helped them with SCLC. (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) He participated in many Montgomery marches with Dr. King. They attended rallies and protests together, preaching their beliefs of equal rights to all who would hear. Together they gained a big enough following to end the decades of inequality, to end the years of racial inferiority, and together they brought forth many years of equality. (Wikipedia)
- Jesse Jackson was head of Operation Breadbasket. A company dedication to improving economic conditions of the black community. He organized boycotts against companies who wouldn’t hire blacks or buy from black contractors. They would pressure whites into joining their cause. They also had an orchestra and choir. (Wikipedia)
- In late 1983 Jackson traveled to Syria without the permission of the US government to free a fighter pilot named Bobby Goodman. Goodman got captured by Syria when they shot down his plane. Jackson believed the pilot should be set free, so he negotiated with the current King to free him.(Wikipedia)
- In late 1983 Jackson traveled to Syria without the permission of the US government to free a fighter pilot named Bobby Goodman. Goodman got captured by Syria when they shot down his plane. Jackson believed the pilot should be set free, so he negotiated with the current King to free him.(Wikipedia)
- In late 1983 Jackson traveled to Syria without the permission of the US government to free a fighter pilot named Bobby Goodman. Goodman got captured by Syria when they shot down his plane. Jackson believed the pilot should be set free, so he negotiated with the current King to free him.(Wikipedia)
Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kwHlAJcc9lq4ExSTqzO8u5eWEn4mbBfH1QO-ZcL8ZS8/edit?usp=sharing
Andrew Young (A.S. & N.D.)
Andrew Young was born March 12, 1932 in New Orleans, Lousianna. When Andrew Young was young, his father hired a professional boxer to teach him and his brother how to fight. Andrew Young was involved in the SCLC, with Martin Luther King Jr, and was with him when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
Andrew Young In His Religious Self
Andrew Young served as a pastor for a church in Marion, Alabama.
Educated at Dillard and Howard Universities and at Hartford Theological Seminary, he became a congregational minister and worked for a time organizing youth work for the National Council of Churches. He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1960 and became its executive director 1964 – 70. He earned a divinity degree in 1955 and became a pastor at several African American churches in the South. Active in the civil rights movement, he worked with Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ralph Abernathy in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Andrew Young served as a pastor for a church in Marion, Alabama.
Educated at Dillard and Howard Universities and at Hartford Theological Seminary, he became a congregational minister and worked for a time organizing youth work for the National Council of Churches. He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1960 and became its executive director 1964 – 70. He earned a divinity degree in 1955 and became a pastor at several African American churches in the South. Active in the civil rights movement, he worked with Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ralph Abernathy in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Voting In The South
Andrew’s main goal was to encourage black people to vote throughout the South! Young played a key role in the events in Birmingham, Alabama, serving as a mediator between the white and black communities. In 1964, Young was named executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), becoming, in that capacity, one of King's principal lieutenants. As a colleague and friend of Martin Luther King Jr., he was a strategist and negotiator during the Civil Rights Campaigns in Birmingham (1963), St. Augustine (1964), Selma (1965), and Atlanta (1966) that resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. He was with King in Memphis, Tennessee, when King was assassinated in 1968.
Andrew’s main goal was to encourage black people to vote throughout the South! Young played a key role in the events in Birmingham, Alabama, serving as a mediator between the white and black communities. In 1964, Young was named executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), becoming, in that capacity, one of King's principal lieutenants. As a colleague and friend of Martin Luther King Jr., he was a strategist and negotiator during the Civil Rights Campaigns in Birmingham (1963), St. Augustine (1964), Selma (1965), and Atlanta (1966) that resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. He was with King in Memphis, Tennessee, when King was assassinated in 1968.
Council Years
In 1970 Andrew ran as a Democrat for Congress in georgia but lost, but in 1972 he ran again and won. In his four years in the council's New York office, he developed the administrative and political skills that he would later put to good use in the civil rights movement, Congress, and the United Nations. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Andrew to be the Ambassador of the United Nations. Trying to forestall a UN Security Council debate on Palestinian rights that he believed would be detrimental to U.S. efforts to advance peace negotiations in the Middle East, he met with Zehdi Labib Terzi, the UN observer for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
In 1970 Andrew ran as a Democrat for Congress in georgia but lost, but in 1972 he ran again and won. In his four years in the council's New York office, he developed the administrative and political skills that he would later put to good use in the civil rights movement, Congress, and the United Nations. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Andrew to be the Ambassador of the United Nations. Trying to forestall a UN Security Council debate on Palestinian rights that he believed would be detrimental to U.S. efforts to advance peace negotiations in the Middle East, he met with Zehdi Labib Terzi, the UN observer for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Olympics Atlanta 1996
Sixteen years ago, when Atlanta was hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, tragedy struck. In the wee morning hours of July 27, a bomb went off in Centennial Olympic Park killing two people and injuring countless others. Young was able to transform a horrible sequence of events into an uplifting opportunity to show what kind of city we were an international city that was like a phoenix, a city that could find a common bond in all the highest ideals of the Olympics and humanity. The Atlanta Olympics were a major success, yet another feather in the cap of one of America's most effective political leaders. Young's work with the Olympics was characteristic of the many ventures he took on as a senior statesman.
Sixteen years ago, when Atlanta was hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, tragedy struck. In the wee morning hours of July 27, a bomb went off in Centennial Olympic Park killing two people and injuring countless others. Young was able to transform a horrible sequence of events into an uplifting opportunity to show what kind of city we were an international city that was like a phoenix, a city that could find a common bond in all the highest ideals of the Olympics and humanity. The Atlanta Olympics were a major success, yet another feather in the cap of one of America's most effective political leaders. Young's work with the Olympics was characteristic of the many ventures he took on as a senior statesman.
Awards and Honors
Young was awarded with the Presidential Honor of Freedom. Pax-Christi Award, St. Johns University, 1970; Spingarn Medal, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1978; Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Jimmy Carter, 1980; numerous honorary degrees. More than 45 honorary degrees including awards from Dartmouth, Yale, Notre Dame, Clark Atlanta, Emory, and the University of Georgia 1995 Eagle Award from the United States Sports Academy. The Eagle Award is the Academy's highest honor and was awarded to Young for his significant contribution to international sport.
Honorary Co-Chair of the World Justice Project; 2010 Heroes, Saints and Legends Honoree, given by the Foundation of Wesley Woods; The 2011 Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award, for his involvement on Look Up and Live; 2012 Georgia Trustee. Given by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, to individuals whose accomplishments and community service reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from 1732 to 1752.
Conclusion
From 2000 to 2001, Young served as president of the National Council of Churches.
In 2003, Young founded the Andrew Young Foundation, an organization meant to support and promote education, health, leadership and human rights in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean. In 2007, GoodWorks Productions released the documentary film Rwanda Rising, about Rwanda's progress since the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Young also served as the film's narrator. Rwanda Rising premiered as the opening night selection at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles in 2007. Young made another appearance on The Colbert Report on November 5, 2008, to talk about the election of Barack Obama to the presidency.
sources:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gm4NOzd3WLSDNeL9lDWRynl-N61Op3IczCehmAe_rqE/edit?usp=sharing
From 2000 to 2001, Young served as president of the National Council of Churches.
In 2003, Young founded the Andrew Young Foundation, an organization meant to support and promote education, health, leadership and human rights in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean. In 2007, GoodWorks Productions released the documentary film Rwanda Rising, about Rwanda's progress since the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Young also served as the film's narrator. Rwanda Rising premiered as the opening night selection at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles in 2007. Young made another appearance on The Colbert Report on November 5, 2008, to talk about the election of Barack Obama to the presidency.
sources:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gm4NOzd3WLSDNeL9lDWRynl-N61Op3IczCehmAe_rqE/edit?usp=sharing
John Lewis (M.K. and G.S.)
“My parents told me in the very beginning as a young child when I raised the question about segregation and racial discrimination, they told me not to get in the way, not to get in trouble, not to make any noise”(John Lewis). As a kid, John Lewis was refrained from showing his opinion. Though his fire of zeal overcame his fear of becoming involved. Because of this fire within him, he has turned the future around to what it is today.
- John Lewis was someone who was very passionate about rights for African Americans-even at a young age.
- John led a protest to give the message of rights for blacks.
- John gave a famous, moving speech to give freedom and jobs to the Africans Americans.
- John Lewis has been arrested more than 40 times.
- In 1981, he became elected to become a member of the City Council which later led him to become a member of Congress in 1986.
- John Lewis present day.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aUCDhpH4A18IsKUkJ5mbh9gr8ZzYORMGpQxqivnBlsE/edit?usp=sharing
John Lewis (C.S. and C.S.)
John Robert Lewis was born February 21st 1940. His mother is Willie Mae, and his father is Eddie Lewis. He has six brothers, three sisters and his parents were sharecroppers. John grew up in Pike County, Alabama, and had only seen two white people in his life until he was six. While listening to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a teenager, Lewis vow to become a civil rights activist. He went to the Pike County Training High School, and Fisk University in Nashville. There he became leader of Nashvilles sit-ins and was invited to nonviolence workshops in the basement of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church. It was there that he became dedicated to nonviolence.
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
In 1963 John became chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee but left in 1966. This is important because the SNCC played an important role during the March on Washington because John Lewis the youngest one there gave a speech about how little blacks were protected and civil rights workers were under attack. They also helped with voting rights by coming up with attack plans against Herbert Lee in McComb Mississippi they also helped by creating a Freedom Ballot for Mississippians. Equality between African American women and men was another one of their projects and they helped by giving speeches about how everybody was equal.
In 1963 John became chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee but left in 1966. This is important because the SNCC played an important role during the March on Washington because John Lewis the youngest one there gave a speech about how little blacks were protected and civil rights workers were under attack. They also helped with voting rights by coming up with attack plans against Herbert Lee in McComb Mississippi they also helped by creating a Freedom Ballot for Mississippians. Equality between African American women and men was another one of their projects and they helped by giving speeches about how everybody was equal.
March on Selma
After the March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech “I Have a Dream” and also John Lewis gave a speech as the youngest one there The Civil Rights Act became something to discuss about but it didn’t help African Americans be able to vote in the south. So to bring this to attention John Lewis and Hosea Williams led a march from Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. After crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge they got attacked. John Lewis was severely beaten and ended up with a fractured skull. This is known as Bloody Sunday. This is very important because it was streamed on TV and everybody thought that it was horrific so they started feeling bad because they were just trying to march peacefully.
After the March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech “I Have a Dream” and also John Lewis gave a speech as the youngest one there The Civil Rights Act became something to discuss about but it didn’t help African Americans be able to vote in the south. So to bring this to attention John Lewis and Hosea Williams led a march from Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. After crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge they got attacked. John Lewis was severely beaten and ended up with a fractured skull. This is known as Bloody Sunday. This is very important because it was streamed on TV and everybody thought that it was horrific so they started feeling bad because they were just trying to march peacefully.
Politics Career
John Lewis was appointed by president Jimmy Carter in 1977 to lead more than 250,000 volunteers of the federal volunteer agency this was the start of his political career.This began his three year campaign for voters education. Then in 1981 he was elected to the Atlanta city council as a liberal democrat. In 1987 he was elected to Congress that November serving as a representative to Georgia's fifth district.
John Lewis was appointed by president Jimmy Carter in 1977 to lead more than 250,000 volunteers of the federal volunteer agency this was the start of his political career.This began his three year campaign for voters education. Then in 1981 he was elected to the Atlanta city council as a liberal democrat. In 1987 he was elected to Congress that November serving as a representative to Georgia's fifth district.
Freedom Riders
John Lewis joined the CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) Freedom Riders in 1961. He was one of the 13 original freedom riders. There were 7 whites and 6 blacks. They were determined to ride from Washington D.C. to New Orleans. At this time states were prohibiting whites and blacks from riding next to each other on public transportation.
John Lewis joined the CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) Freedom Riders in 1961. He was one of the 13 original freedom riders. There were 7 whites and 6 blacks. They were determined to ride from Washington D.C. to New Orleans. At this time states were prohibiting whites and blacks from riding next to each other on public transportation.
Jail Time
John Lewis got arrested for one of the demonstrations from SNCC protests that they had and also being a freedom rider got him jailed sometimes to, but he also got beat up by angry mobs before going to jail. He also had 15 arrests before he joined the Freedom Riders from the Nashville Student Movement. When he rode to Birmingham he was attacked by a mob and then got sent to jail. Overall, Lewis was arrested over 40 times. This is important because John Lewis got sent to jail many times but he never gave up this is a man who was a true believer in Civil Rights.
John Lewis got arrested for one of the demonstrations from SNCC protests that they had and also being a freedom rider got him jailed sometimes to, but he also got beat up by angry mobs before going to jail. He also had 15 arrests before he joined the Freedom Riders from the Nashville Student Movement. When he rode to Birmingham he was attacked by a mob and then got sent to jail. Overall, Lewis was arrested over 40 times. This is important because John Lewis got sent to jail many times but he never gave up this is a man who was a true believer in Civil Rights.
Today John Lewis is a congressman for Georgia’s fifth district and has won many awards. He was married to Lillian Miles and she died on December 31st, 2012, the anniversary of the day that they met. John Lewis has won the Medal of Freedom from President Obama. He also is the only person ever to receive the John F. Kennedy Library's Profile in Courage Award for Lifetime Achievement (2001). He has also spoke at many places including Emory University. At Emory University he spoke at the law graduation and I was there. He spoke about when he was a child that he wanted to be a minister. His cousins, brothers and sisters would gather around with chickens and listen to him preach. When he was older he wrote a letter to Martin Luther King Jr. wanting to help him and they would eventually meet up. The best part of that speech was when he told us that when he preached to the chickens they would listen better than and of the congressman during the Civil Rights. This was a very inspirational speech probably the most inspirational one I have heard in my life.
Sources
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZAcTyj98RDWV7JE5DVRhSZUOsb2pMgFQY_dRh1M_jCc/edit?usp=sharing
Sources
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZAcTyj98RDWV7JE5DVRhSZUOsb2pMgFQY_dRh1M_jCc/edit?usp=sharing