Mississippi Trial, 1955
Civil rights are the rights that people have in a society to equal treatment and equal opportunities, whatever their race, sex, or religion (Collins). Civil rights are designed to protect individuals from unfair treatment; they are the rights of individuals to receive equal treatment (and to be free from unfair treatment or discrimination) in a number of settings -- including education, employment, housing, public accommodations, and more -- and based on certain legally-protected characteristics.
Historically, the "Civil Rights Movement" referred to efforts toward achieving true equality for African Americans in all facets of society, but today the term "civil rights" is also used to describe the advancement of equality for all people regardless of race, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, or certain other characteristics. In the U.S. this has included not only the African American civil rights movement, but also movements that were inspired by the civil rights movement such as the American Indian Movement and the Chicano Movement which occurred during the same time, and more recently LGBT rights. (Findlaw.com).
Historically, the "Civil Rights Movement" referred to efforts toward achieving true equality for African Americans in all facets of society, but today the term "civil rights" is also used to describe the advancement of equality for all people regardless of race, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, or certain other characteristics. In the U.S. this has included not only the African American civil rights movement, but also movements that were inspired by the civil rights movement such as the American Indian Movement and the Chicano Movement which occurred during the same time, and more recently LGBT rights. (Findlaw.com).
Enduring Understandings
- Literature reflects how different races, classes, ethnicities, and minorities have been frequently mistreated throughout history.
- Social standing contributes to one's identity and one’s perceived identity.
- Literature reflects the separation of social classes at different times in history.
- Authors frequently use the written word to promote social change and to further their beliefs about politics, government, and society through the use of allegories and metaphors.
Key Figures in the 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights Movement
Use Biography in Context to research their lives (and we have books in the library)
Ralph Abernathy
Marian Anderson Scottsboro Boys Ruby Bridges Claudette Colvin James Farmer Fannie Lou Hamer Coretta Scott King Martin Luther King, Jr. John Lewis Thurgood Marshall Charles Moore (Photographer) Little Rock Nine Black Panthers Rosa Parks Bayard Rustin Emmett Till Malcolm X |
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Key Events of the 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Chronological Order
Use US History In Context (and we have books in the library)
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Brown v. Board of Education Little Rock Central High Integration Sit-ins Freedom Rides Albany Movement Children's March Birmingham campaign Birmingham church bombing March on Washington, I Have A Dream Speech (MLK, Jr.) Freedom Summer Civil Rights Act of 1964 Selma Voting Rights Act March Against Fear Black Power Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Students will be able to
- Compare, analyze, and critique the portrayal and treatment of different classes, ethnicities, and other cultural or marginalized groups during different time periods.
- Analyze the ways in which marginalized characters are treated and the author’s purpose in showing that portrayal.
- Analyze how literature reflects commonly held views of the population during a specific period in time.
- Identify different stereotypes of characters repeated throughout literature.
- Analyze and write a cohesive, well organized, analytical essay exploring how racism and prejudice play a critical role in the text.
- Identify and incorporate text support in order to enrich one’s argument and thesis.