1. What was the main theme or purpose of the readings? What problems or concerns were identified?
Martin Luther pursues social equality and civil rights for the blacks using nonviolence means. The main purpose of his speech is to inform people of the need for equality and justice for the black people. He acknowledges that freedom will not be handed over but they have to arise by seeking it. Malcom X speech serves as an encouragement to black people to stand up and fight for their rights by voting (Terrill, 2007). He urges people to use all the means possible even violence to attain freedom. The main problems identified by Martin Luther were segregation, civil rights, poverty, and injustices (Zinn, 2018). He says points out how the black community has been mistreated and made to suffer and calls for the end of the segregation. Malcom main concern is the lack of freedom and violation of human rights, he cries for the oppression of the black and their inability to be accorded human rights.
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2. How do the Additional Sources support the chapter?
The additional sources support the chapter by offering real experiences of black people and highlighting speeches and movements connected to the achievement of equal rights for the black. The additional resources offer in-depth insights into the dangers and consequences of segregation and the need to accord black civil rights and freedom. The additional sources add credibility and evidence hence weight to the struggle for freedom and fight for independence for black Americans (Zinn, 2018). By outlining other incidents and instances of oppression and hostility towards the blacks the sources offer a more enlightened and detailed account of the fight and struggle to be free in a country priding itself in equality and freedom.
3. What were the interactions between “the powerful” and “the people?” What choices did “the people” have in response to “the powerful?” How did “the people” respond to these problems?
The powerful interacted with the people by discriminating against them, segregating and oppressing. The powerful ensure that the people had no way of living or challenging them by putting laws in place to restrict and demean them. The powerful oppressed the people by oppressing them, denying their human rights and freedom.
The only choice for the people was to resist and use force either violent or non-violent to express their dissatisfaction. The people also had the right to resist cruel treatment and hostility of the power by conducting a revolution to redeem themselves from the cruelty of the powerful (Younge, 2013). The people responded to the problems by uniting and making their voices heard by the powerful as one. To deal with segregation, they disobeyed the rules and invaded the white areas to express their anger and show the need for free form the constraints intentional employed by the powerful (Terrill, 2007).
4. How are the problems identified in the reading similar to problems encountered by “the people” today? What actions can you take to address or solve these problems today?
The problems faced by people in history are still experienced today. Problems of racism, limitation of civil rights and discrimination towards the black and other minority still are present in the society. The powerful still exert their supremacy over the people. In the modern society racism and segregation occurs in resource allocation and recognition where the powerful fail to include the people in their plans and instead seek to dominate and control them as the minority (Younge, 2013). The problem of discrimination, racism, and oppression of the people by the powerful can be addressed through education and offering of equal opportunities of empowerment to all people regardless of their skin color. It is also important to recognize their uniqueness of each individual and instead of oppressing other due to their skin color, the powerful should adopt kindness and love promoting unity and peace in society through peaceful coexistence to achieve the common goals.
References
Zinn, Howard. (2018). A People's History of the United States. History Is a Weapon. Retrieved from: http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinn17explo.html
Terrill, R. (2007). Malcolm X: Inventing radical judgment. East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State University Press.
Younge, G. (2013). The speech: The story behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream . Chicago, Illinois: Haymarket Books.
