Civil Rights Reading

     The Story "Nightjohn" is a great example of how many people were denied civil rights. The story takes place in Texas during the civil war. The main character's name is Sarny. She is a very curious girl. One day the plantation she lived on, had a new slave. His name was John and he was from the North. He had been beaten many times. This was easy to tell when he had his shirt off because he had many scars on his back where he had been whipped. His goal was to teach slaves, young and old, how to read and write. He did this so they could share their story of how they were mistreated. One example happened right on that plantation. Another young girl was walking around outside at night and she was savagely beaten when found. Sarny was the one who was going to learn from John. She traded him so tobacco for the alphabet. This story signifies how slaves were traeted and were forced against thier will to do tasks.

     "Mascot" tells how the events in a young man's life led him on the path of becoming a great leader in the civil rights movement. This story is about Malcom X and takes place in Michigan around the year 1937. As a young man he lived in the shadow of his brother, who was a great boxer. Malcolm would end up trying to be a boxer himself. In his first fight he was knocked out. He was so disgraced because the kid was a white boy. He challenged the same kid to a rematch and was again knocked out. He was so samed he couldnt show his face in his own town. After that he wanted to become a lawyer. Later in his life he was sent to reform school. While there he lived with an all white family, and he was the only black person in the whole town. However, he was treated very well. At his school he was one of the most popular people. He was very involved in his school activities. He played basketball and was also voted class president. Later in his life he would go to Boston to help become a lawyer. He said it was one of the only places he felt comfortable. The events in Malcolm X's life led him to be a great leader.

     The movie The Great Debaters had many similarities and differences with the stories "Nightjohn" and "Mascot". First it was similar becasue Nightjohn and the movie both took place in Texas. In the movie a black man was lynched; in the story a young girl was beaten savagely. John taught slaves to red and write to tell the story of racism, while the debate team spoke about it. Also, Samantha Booke, from the movie, and Malcolm X both wanted to be lawyers. The Debate team went to Boston just like Malcolm X. Malcolm X and the debate team were both from small schools. However, there were many differences. Nightjohn took place while slavery was still a part of everyday life. Also Malcolm X lived in the North. Malcolm was also the only black man in his school while the debate team was from an all black college. Also when Malcolm went to live with a white family he was openly welcome. The debate team was shunned when they were debating a white college.

    

Now that 12 Angry Men is over we are starting stories and movies about civil rights. I honestly think this is a very interesting topic. The first story we read was Night John. It was pretty good. I think what that man did was amazing. To teach other slaves to read is a very good idea so they can share their stories of how they were treated. The second story was a chapter from a biography about Malcolm X. It seemed like he had a very interesting childhood. He was treated badly but then once he left his home he was treated really well. Now we are watching Great Debaters. So far it is a really good movie. Its amazing how this small college is beating all the top colleges in speech and debate competitions.

this week of class was actually pretty good. We finished the book 12 angry men on monday. it was actually a pretty good book. The ending was kind of what i thought it was going to be. The jury ended up finding the kid not guilty. After the book we started to watch the movie of it. It was really good too. I thought it was going to be boring because all the people were just sitting in a room discussing a murder trial. However, it was actually filled with action. The actors were really good and convincing. We also went to the play this week. It was great. I wasnt really sure what to expect, but it was amazing. The whole cast and crew did a really good job. My favorite part had to be the singing.

response

commented on Gigi's blog at http://gigi-gigi98.blogspot.com/

Pretty easy week of class. All we did was read the play 12 angry men. I thought it was pretty good. I just wish my part had more to read. I think the whole time in the book i said something 10 times. While everyone else got a lot more. Oh well though. I like that we set up the class room in a jury table. I think it actually helped me to understnd the play better. I wonder if there is a movie version of this play. And if there is are we going to watch it like we watched To Kill a Mockingbird? Also i think we are going to the play this week. That should be a lot of fun. I think the students will do a very good job with it, like they always do. Lets hope this week is as good as last. Also this is the first week of basketball.

response

commented on Evren's blog at http://evren-evrensblog.blogspot.com/

I am so happy that movie is over. The whole time i thought it was really dry and boring. The only kind of good part  was the end when the kids were being attacked. Aside from that not a good movie. The test we took over the book was pretty easy though. I like how we talked about the answer to the short answer question the day before in class. It really helped and i think i got an easy A on it. now we are starting to read the play 12 angry men. Actually seems like it is gonna be a very interesting read. I hope it turns out to be good and not boring. I was reading Juror 6 today and i didnthave to read very much. I hope i am the same one tomorrow but get to read a little bit more tha n today. I really liked our little decision thing we did yesterday in class. Was interesting to see why people chose who they did.