Franklin and Betty J. Parker Dialogue, Monday, June 15, 2015,
Uplands Village, Pleasant Hill, TN. bfparker@frontiernet.net
Uplands Village, Pleasant Hill, TN. bfparker@frontiernet.net
Betty: Our topic is “Minorities’ Protests in
the 1960s, the 20th Century’s Most Tumultuous Decade.”
the 1960s, the 20th Century’s Most Tumultuous Decade.”
Frank: It is based on the book The Liberal
Hour: [subtitle] Washington and the Politics of Change in the 1960s. Its authors are two Colby College,
Maine, professors: political scientist G. Calvin Mackenzie and historian Robert
Weisbrot (NY: Penguin, 2008). We
also used other sources.
Hour: [subtitle] Washington and the Politics of Change in the 1960s. Its authors are two Colby College,
Maine, professors: political scientist G. Calvin Mackenzie and historian Robert
Weisbrot (NY: Penguin, 2008). We
also used other sources.
Betty: Frank, why are the 1960s important?
Frank: The 1960s became important when African
American1 protests began to explode on Feb. 1, 1960. Four black
college students sat at a Greensboro, N.C., segregated F.W. Woolworth lunch
counter. They were refused
service. They remained seated until they were removed.
American1 protests began to explode on Feb. 1, 1960. Four black
college students sat at a Greensboro, N.C., segregated F.W. Woolworth lunch
counter. They were refused
service. They remained seated until they were removed.
Betty: Sit-ins spread like wildfire to
hundreds of segregated southern eating places. Months later, most dropped their segregation policy. Sit-ins inspired wade-ins at segregated
swimming pools, pray-ins at white-only churches, play-ins at white parks.
hundreds of segregated southern eating places. Months later, most dropped their segregation policy. Sit-ins inspired wade-ins at segregated
swimming pools, pray-ins at white-only churches, play-ins at white parks.
Frank: Freedom Riders on buses followed. The first, May 1961, from Washington,
DC, to New Orleans, broke rules at separate drinking fountains, rest rooms, and
other facilities. White racists
fiercely attacked these Freedom Riders with beatings, bus burnings, and
killings.
DC, to New Orleans, broke rules at separate drinking fountains, rest rooms, and
other facilities. White racists
fiercely attacked these Freedom Riders with beatings, bus burnings, and
killings.
Betty: Black protests inspired other
protesters who were later joined and backed by anti-Vietnam War peacenik flower
children. The 1960s, the protest decade, became, in our thinking, the 20th
century’s most tumultuous, life-changing decade.
protesters who were later joined and backed by anti-Vietnam War peacenik flower
children. The 1960s, the protest decade, became, in our thinking, the 20th
century’s most tumultuous, life-changing decade.
Frank: A near-revolution was brewing. Protesters’ actions said to Americans,
in effect: your denial of our rights, your segregation of minorities, your
killing wars abroad, your neglect of the poor have kept us from the American
dream.
in effect: your denial of our rights, your segregation of minorities, your
killing wars abroad, your neglect of the poor have kept us from the American
dream.
Betty: They also said, in effect: we will
protest peacefully until you pass laws to legalize our civil rights, end
America’s unjust wars, create a just society.
protest peacefully until you pass laws to legalize our civil rights, end
America’s unjust wars, create a just society.
Frank: We were struck in researching the 1960s
by the serious intent of these young people’s grass-roots protests. They risked jail, injury, death to
protest for long denied civil rights. And, less consciously, they sought, deep down, we
think, a more perfect union in a more peaceful world.
by the serious intent of these young people’s grass-roots protests. They risked jail, injury, death to
protest for long denied civil rights. And, less consciously, they sought, deep down, we
think, a more perfect union in a more peaceful world.
Betty: That insight led us to spend a year
studying the best writings we could find about the 1960s. We asked: what did minority protesters
so desperately seek? What did they
achieve? How do their goals affect
us now, and for the future?
studying the best writings we could find about the 1960s. We asked: what did minority protesters
so desperately seek? What did they
achieve? How do their goals affect
us now, and for the future?
Frank: We also asked: were the 1960s protests
a turning point in U.S. history?
Was it one of those ongoing crisis-driven turning points which earlier
changed our country, a turning point which recurs during troubled times to
correct national ills?
a turning point in U.S. history?
Was it one of those ongoing crisis-driven turning points which earlier
changed our country, a turning point which recurs during troubled times to
correct national ills?
Betty:
Young people’s attitudes and values changed in the 1960s. They had a different world view. Many in the 1960s sympathized with the
protesters, hoped they would succeed.
Yet today, sadly, 50 years later, prejudice exists, racial incidents
occur, questionable wars remain.
Young people’s attitudes and values changed in the 1960s. They had a different world view. Many in the 1960s sympathized with the
protesters, hoped they would succeed.
Yet today, sadly, 50 years later, prejudice exists, racial incidents
occur, questionable wars remain.
.
Frank: 1960s black protesters expected and
endured racist attacks, water hoses, club-wielding police, and police attack
dogs.
endured racist attacks, water hoses, club-wielding police, and police attack
dogs.
Betty: Media coverage of 1960s bloody clashes
heightened public concern, led President John F. Kennedy (1917-63) to ask aides
to draft and send to Congress in March 1963 a strong, fool-proof, civil rights
bill.
heightened public concern, led President John F. Kennedy (1917-63) to ask aides
to draft and send to Congress in March 1963 a strong, fool-proof, civil rights
bill.
Frank: Southern diehards had rigged
Congressional rules to give Southern committee chairpersons power to amend or
to kill bills they opposed.
Congressional rules to give Southern committee chairpersons power to amend or
to kill bills they opposed.
Betty: Black protesters battled for just such
a strong federal civil rights act.
Wiser citizens favored it.
But southern segregationists and many others wanted it killed. The Civil Rights bill seemed doomed.
a strong federal civil rights act.
Wiser citizens favored it.
But southern segregationists and many others wanted it killed. The Civil Rights bill seemed doomed.
Frank: Pres. Kennedy’s assassination, Nov. 22,
1963, changed everything. Building
on national grief, successor Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-73) told
Congress and the nation: our monument to Pres. Kennedy must be to pass his
civil rights bill. It is the right
thing to do. It will put the US on
the right side of history.
1963, changed everything. Building
on national grief, successor Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-73) told
Congress and the nation: our monument to Pres. Kennedy must be to pass his
civil rights bill. It is the right
thing to do. It will put the US on
the right side of history.
Betty:
Pres. Johnson’s unmatched legislative skills enabled him to strengthen Pres.
Kennedy’s civil rights bill and push it through despite the longest filibuster
in U.S. history against it.
Pres. Johnson’s unmatched legislative skills enabled him to strengthen Pres.
Kennedy’s civil rights bill and push it through despite the longest filibuster
in U.S. history against it.
Frank: Pres. Johnson cajoled enough Republican
votes for its passage. He signed
it into law July 2, 1964. It was
and is the most comprehensive Civil Rights Act in U.S. history.
votes for its passage. He signed
it into law July 2, 1964. It was
and is the most comprehensive Civil Rights Act in U.S. history.
Betty: Getting that act passed, plus his later
liberal legislation for Voting Rights, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, Model
Cities, and other acts we later list, would have placed Pres. Johnson in the
Valhalla of great U.S. Presidents, but for his tragic escalation of the
Vietnam War.
liberal legislation for Voting Rights, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, Model
Cities, and other acts we later list, would have placed Pres. Johnson in the
Valhalla of great U.S. Presidents, but for his tragic escalation of the
Vietnam War.
Frank: Yet, Pres. Johnson’s Great Society
legislation in his 5 presidential years, 1963-68, has greatly benefitted
millions of Americans.
legislation in his 5 presidential years, 1963-68, has greatly benefitted
millions of Americans.
Betty: Frank, why have we not lived up to hard
won civil rights freedoms?
won civil rights freedoms?
Frank: No easy answers to that question. We went along with old prejudices
against non-whites and incoming poorer foreigners, let most of them be kept
down, live in ghettos, be underpaid, impoverished.
against non-whites and incoming poorer foreigners, let most of them be kept
down, live in ghettos, be underpaid, impoverished.
Betty: We
allowed blacks to be unjustly arrested, tried, jailed, and disproportionately
given the death penalty.
allowed blacks to be unjustly arrested, tried, jailed, and disproportionately
given the death penalty.
Frank: We allowed monied, politically
connected slumlords and others to benefit from racism.
connected slumlords and others to benefit from racism.
Betty: Question, Frank: Will racially mixed
marriages change the racial picture?
marriages change the racial picture?
Frank: Fifteen percent of marriages now (2015)
are of mixed races, 4 out of 10 families have a mixed race member, and a census
estimate is that by 2043, 28 year from now, non-whites will outnumber whites.
are of mixed races, 4 out of 10 families have a mixed race member, and a census
estimate is that by 2043, 28 year from now, non-whites will outnumber whites.
Betty:
Latino farm workers, led by Cesar E. Chavez (1927-93), inspired by black
protesters, demanded in California and elsewhere, fairer wages and human
rights.
Latino farm workers, led by Cesar E. Chavez (1927-93), inspired by black
protesters, demanded in California and elsewhere, fairer wages and human
rights.
Frank: Native Americans, ethnics, women, other
disenfranchised minorities followed.
disenfranchised minorities followed.
Betty: Betty Friedan’s (1921-2006) 1961 book, Feminine
Mystique, spurred women’s demand for both motherhood and a
career, for full access to higher education, and for equal opportunities for
equal pay.
Mystique, spurred women’s demand for both motherhood and a
career, for full access to higher education, and for equal opportunities for
equal pay.
.
Frank: Rachel Carson’s (1907-64) 1962 book, Silent
Spring, stirred fears of the threat of DDT pesticides.
Environmentalists demanded clean water and air, damaged by our industrial
waste, mainly for corporate profit.
Spring, stirred fears of the threat of DDT pesticides.
Environmentalists demanded clean water and air, damaged by our industrial
waste, mainly for corporate profit.
Betty: Ralph Nader’s (1934-) 1965 book, Unsafe
at Any Speed, demanded safer cars, better marked highways, and by
extension, truth in advertising, honest labeling on consumer goods.
at Any Speed, demanded safer cars, better marked highways, and by
extension, truth in advertising, honest labeling on consumer goods.
Frank: Gay rights protesters came out of the
closet, June 28, 1969, when gay patrons of New York’s Greenwich Village
Stonewall Inn bar fought off for the first time a police raid.
closet, June 28, 1969, when gay patrons of New York’s Greenwich Village
Stonewall Inn bar fought off for the first time a police raid.
Betty:
1960s public opinion and protesters urged government to aid the elderly, the
poor, the sick, the handicapped.
1960s public opinion and protesters urged government to aid the elderly, the
poor, the sick, the handicapped.
Frank: An increasing concern was and is the
widening income gap between the tiny percentage of rich getting richer at the
expense of the have–less majority and the increasing number of bottom poor.
widening income gap between the tiny percentage of rich getting richer at the
expense of the have–less majority and the increasing number of bottom poor.
Betty: Protesters asked: what happened to the
American dream that anyone can rise by hard work and fair play?
American dream that anyone can rise by hard work and fair play?
Frank: Protesters’ answer: to make majority
life better, give minorities their civil rights, remove tax breaks for the
rich, uplift the needy.
life better, give minorities their civil rights, remove tax breaks for the
rich, uplift the needy.
Betty:
Cold War US-USSR tensions we number below, added to the 1960s chaos and
increased military spending.
Cold War US-USSR tensions we number below, added to the 1960s chaos and
increased military spending.
Frank: 1-May 1, 1960, a U.S. spy plane was
shot down in the USSR; captured pilot Gary Powers confessed to spying.
shot down in the USSR; captured pilot Gary Powers confessed to spying.
Betty: 2-USSR’s Sputnik (Oct. 4, 1957) spurred
the space race and the belief that to rule space is to rule the world. Pres. Kennedy promised May 25, 1961, to
land Americans on the moonl
They did land on the moon on July 20, 1969.
the space race and the belief that to rule space is to rule the world. Pres. Kennedy promised May 25, 1961, to
land Americans on the moonl
They did land on the moon on July 20, 1969.
Frank: 3-In 1961, the Russians built the
Berlin Wall to stop East Germans fleeing communism to the free West.
Berlin Wall to stop East Germans fleeing communism to the free West.
Betty:
4-Oct. 1962: Finding Russian missile launching sites in Cuba, 90 miles from
Florida, led to a US blockade and near-atomic annihilation.
4-Oct. 1962: Finding Russian missile launching sites in Cuba, 90 miles from
Florida, led to a US blockade and near-atomic annihilation.
Frank: 5-Americans were shocked at
the long, un-winnable Vietnam War, its atrocities, its return of dead U.S.
soldiers in body-bags, seen daily on TV.
the long, un-winnable Vietnam War, its atrocities, its return of dead U.S.
soldiers in body-bags, seen daily on TV.
Betty:
Vietnam war’s purpose was to stop Communist North Vietnam from communizing
South Vietnam. Many believed in
the domino theory: that if a country goes communist, its neighbors will follow.
Vietnam war’s purpose was to stop Communist North Vietnam from communizing
South Vietnam. Many believed in
the domino theory: that if a country goes communist, its neighbors will follow.
Frank: Anti-Vietnam War draftees who burned
their draft cards and defected to Canada were cheered by rebellious young
“peacenik” hippies.
their draft cards and defected to Canada were cheered by rebellious young
“peacenik” hippies.
Betty: Their drug use, rock music, freedom
songs, and free love were all forms of protests. Protesters liked being rebels,
Don Quixotes, tilting against American hypocrisy.
songs, and free love were all forms of protests. Protesters liked being rebels,
Don Quixotes, tilting against American hypocrisy.
Frank: Protesting students occupied university
buildings demanding self-rule, more relevant courses. They held a large summer 1964 love session in San
Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury section. They held a massive August 1969, Woodstock,
NY, love-in, dance in, song-fest.
buildings demanding self-rule, more relevant courses. They held a large summer 1964 love session in San
Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury section. They held a massive August 1969, Woodstock,
NY, love-in, dance in, song-fest.
Betty: Why? To protest the status quo, to end hypocrisy, to correct
national mistakes, to improve many lives.
national mistakes, to improve many lives.
Frank: 1960s USA also blazed with anti-black
beatings, jailing, house bombings and burnings, killing riots, murders, and
assassinations of Pres. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar
Evers, Pres. Kennedy’s younger brother Robert F. Kennedy.
beatings, jailing, house bombings and burnings, killing riots, murders, and
assassinations of Pres. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar
Evers, Pres. Kennedy’s younger brother Robert F. Kennedy.
Betty: Frank, list big earlier changes that
made the 1960s protests inevitable?
made the 1960s protests inevitable?
Frank: First, a possible model was Pres.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1930’s Depression-era activist government. His make-work for pay agencies: WPA,
PWA, CCC, etc., what were they but a 1930s movement to uplift the one-third
jobless, ill housed, ill-clothed, ill-fed Americans.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1930’s Depression-era activist government. His make-work for pay agencies: WPA,
PWA, CCC, etc., what were they but a 1930s movement to uplift the one-third
jobless, ill housed, ill-clothed, ill-fed Americans.
Betty:
2-WWII’s mammoth industrial drive and military sacrifices to stop the
Hitler-Japanese axis created full employment, led to national affluence, made
the U.S. leader of the free world.
2-WWII’s mammoth industrial drive and military sacrifices to stop the
Hitler-Japanese axis created full employment, led to national affluence, made
the U.S. leader of the free world.
Frank: 3-1944 GI Bill education and housing
aid lifted some 7 million veterans and their families into middle class
affluence with homes, cars, consumer goods, TVs.
aid lifted some 7 million veterans and their families into middle class
affluence with homes, cars, consumer goods, TVs.
Betty:
4-Affluent Americans moved from conservative rural areas and from
boss-controlled cities into more moderate suburbs.
4-Affluent Americans moved from conservative rural areas and from
boss-controlled cities into more moderate suburbs.
Frank: 5-Between 1920-1960 (40 years) 4.5
million Blacks moved from the South to the North and West. Black votes became important. Race
problems became a national concern, and that led to the 1960’s black protests.
million Blacks moved from the South to the North and West. Black votes became important. Race
problems became a national concern, and that led to the 1960’s black protests.
Betty: 6: Post-WW II baby boomers grew up, 70
million by 1960, nearly half the U.S. population. They were better educated,
favored minority rights, uplifting the poor, creating a truly just society.
million by 1960, nearly half the U.S. population. They were better educated,
favored minority rights, uplifting the poor, creating a truly just society.
Frank: 7-TV and other media brought into
living rooms police clubbing, biting police dogs, water pressure hoses that
swept protesters off their feet, Ku Klux Klan-type murders of black and white
activists, police brutality; recall Ohio National Guards who killed five
protesters at Kent State University.
living rooms police clubbing, biting police dogs, water pressure hoses that
swept protesters off their feet, Ku Klux Klan-type murders of black and white
activists, police brutality; recall Ohio National Guards who killed five
protesters at Kent State University.
Betty: 8-The 1955 Montgomery, AL, black bus
boycott, a surprise success, greatly inspired 1960’s protesters.
boycott, a surprise success, greatly inspired 1960’s protesters.
Frank: Worth mention is Martin Luther King’s
(1929-68) emergence as moral leader of Black protesters during the Montgomery
bus boycott.
(1929-68) emergence as moral leader of Black protesters during the Montgomery
bus boycott.
Betty:
Black seamstress Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was arrested Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing
to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, AL, bus.
Black seamstress Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was arrested Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing
to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, AL, bus.
Frank: At her court arraignment on Dec. 5,
1955, local NAACP leaders, knowing that 6 of every 10 bus riders were black,
held a one-day black bus boycott.
1955, local NAACP leaders, knowing that 6 of every 10 bus riders were black,
held a one-day black bus boycott.
Betty
: Volunteer drivers, black and
white, that day took all blacks to work without incident. Stunned bus officials felt the heavy
financial loss.
: Volunteer drivers, black and
white, that day took all blacks to work without incident. Stunned bus officials felt the heavy
financial loss.
Frank: Fearing harsh police reaction might
bring injury, jail, loss of jobs, black leaders decided to hold a Tuesday
night, Dec. 6, 1955, “What to do next” meeting.
bring injury, jail, loss of jobs, black leaders decided to hold a Tuesday
night, Dec. 6, 1955, “What to do next” meeting.
Betty: Outside the overcrowded Montgomery
church, loudspeakers broadcast to an overflow crowd of many thousands.
church, loudspeakers broadcast to an overflow crowd of many thousands.
Frank: Their speaker was Montgomery’s new,
likeable, 26-year old, well-schooled, non-aligned, remarkably talented
preacher, Martin Luther King, Jr.
likeable, 26-year old, well-schooled, non-aligned, remarkably talented
preacher, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Betty: King was influenced by Mohandas K.
Gandhi’s non-violent protests which had won India’s freedom from Britain. King, with little time to prepare, said
(here condensed):
Gandhi’s non-violent protests which had won India’s freedom from Britain. King, with little time to prepare, said
(here condensed):
Frank: We are here as American citizens
seeking fairness on Montgomery buses where seating is a problem of long
standing.
seeking fairness on Montgomery buses where seating is a problem of long
standing.
Betty:
General murmurs of assent.
General murmurs of assent.
Frank: Last Thursday, one of our finest
citizens was taken from a bus, arrested, and jailed because she refused to give
up her seat to a white person.
citizens was taken from a bus, arrested, and jailed because she refused to give
up her seat to a white person.
Betty:
Scattered "Yeses, "Amen’s," and "That's So."
Scattered "Yeses, "Amen’s," and "That's So."
Frank: If it had to happen, I am glad it
happened to Mrs. Parks, whose integrity no one can doubt, or the height of her
character, or the depth of her Christian commitment.
happened to Mrs. Parks, whose integrity no one can doubt, or the height of her
character, or the depth of her Christian commitment.
Betty:
Strong choruses of "That's right," "That's right."
Strong choruses of "That's right," "That's right."
Frank: And just because she refused to get up,
she was arrested.
she was arrested.
Betty: Angry stirring from the crowd.
Frank: There comes a time when people get
tired of being trampled by the iron feet of oppression.
tired of being trampled by the iron feet of oppression.
Betty: Many "Yes," "Yes,"
"Yeses." Rising cheers
and applause.
"Yeses." Rising cheers
and applause.
Frank: There comes a time when people get
tired of being thrown across the abyss of humiliation to experience the
bleakness of nagging despair.
tired of being thrown across the abyss of humiliation to experience the
bleakness of nagging despair.
Betty:
Stomping feet. The wooden floor shook, echoing in the rafters.
Stomping feet. The wooden floor shook, echoing in the rafters.
Frank: There comes a time when people get
tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight and left standing in the
chill of November.
tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight and left standing in the
chill of November.
Betty: He
had touched a nerve. The crowd drowned him out.
had touched a nerve. The crowd drowned him out.
Frank: We
are not here advocating violence. We have overcome that.
are not here advocating violence. We have overcome that.
Betty:
"Repeat that! Repeat that!" A voice shouted.
"Repeat that! Repeat that!" A voice shouted.
Frank: I want it known in Montgomery and
throughout this nation that we are Christian people. Our only weapon is the weapon of peaceful protest.
throughout this nation that we are Christian people. Our only weapon is the weapon of peaceful protest.
Betty: Long shouts of approval.
Frank: We
couldn't do this behind the iron curtain in a communist nation. But the great glory of American
democracy is the right to protest.
couldn't do this behind the iron curtain in a communist nation. But the great glory of American
democracy is the right to protest.
Betty: Loud shouts. Hands clapping.
Pride in a speaker whose rhetoric rolled so easily. Separating his peaceful black protest
from brutal Ku Klux Klan and white citizens’ councils’ beatings and killings,
King said:
Pride in a speaker whose rhetoric rolled so easily. Separating his peaceful black protest
from brutal Ku Klux Klan and white citizens’ councils’ beatings and killings,
King said:
Frank: There will be no crosses burned, no
white persons pulled out of their homes and murdered. We are going to work peacefully to achieve justice. We are not wrong in what we are doing.
white persons pulled out of their homes and murdered. We are going to work peacefully to achieve justice. We are not wrong in what we are doing.
Betty: Shouts, yells, cheering.
Frank: If we are wrong, the United State
Supreme Court is wrong.
Supreme Court is wrong.
Betty: King rocked. His audience rocked with
him.
him.
Frank: If we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong.
Betty: The
crowd exploded. Church
rafters shook.
crowd exploded. Church
rafters shook.
Frank: If we are wrong, justice is a
lie.
lie.
Betty: Roars, applause, rapture mixed with
pride in themselves and in their speaker.
pride in themselves and in their speaker.
Frank: We are determined here in Montgomery to
protest until justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty
stream.
protest until justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty
stream.
Betty:
Pandemonium as listeners recognized the words of the Prophet Amos. King concluded amid cheers, applause,
cries of "Oh, Yes! Oh, Yes! Oh, Yes!"
Pandemonium as listeners recognized the words of the Prophet Amos. King concluded amid cheers, applause,
cries of "Oh, Yes! Oh, Yes! Oh, Yes!"
Frank: King stepped from the pulpit, embraced
and lauded. He would be arrested,
jailed, his house bombed, his life threatened.
and lauded. He would be arrested,
jailed, his house bombed, his life threatened.
Betty: He
would give other, greater speeches; would be shot dead April 4, 1968, age 39,
in Memphis.
would give other, greater speeches; would be shot dead April 4, 1968, age 39,
in Memphis.
Frank: But his oratory that night, Dec. 6,
1955, made him, at age 26, a national figure, a prophet of his time.
1955, made him, at age 26, a national figure, a prophet of his time.
Betty: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
and other black leaders, before the Montgomery bus boycott, learned peaceful
protest techniques at Tennessee adult educator Myles Horton’s (1905-90)
interracial Highlander Adult Education Center, then located in Monteagle,
Grundy County, Tennessee.
and other black leaders, before the Montgomery bus boycott, learned peaceful
protest techniques at Tennessee adult educator Myles Horton’s (1905-90)
interracial Highlander Adult Education Center, then located in Monteagle,
Grundy County, Tennessee.
Frank: Rosa Parks later said that attending
Horton’s Highlander enabled her to stand fast in Montgomery, AL.
Horton’s Highlander enabled her to stand fast in Montgomery, AL.
Betty:
Tennessee-born Myles Horton, as a young Sunday School teacher, asked
Crossville, TN’s Congregational minister Abram Nightingale: How can I start an
interracial adult school to help poor people solve their problems?
Tennessee-born Myles Horton, as a young Sunday School teacher, asked
Crossville, TN’s Congregational minister Abram Nightingale: How can I start an
interracial adult school to help poor people solve their problems?
Frank: Rev. Nightingale advised Myles Horton
to study social welfare at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
to study social welfare at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Betty: From New York, Horton then went to
Chicago’s Jane Addams Hull House for new immigrants, then to Denmark to study
Danish Folk Schools, which had uplifted and modernized 19th century Denmark.
Chicago’s Jane Addams Hull House for new immigrants, then to Denmark to study
Danish Folk Schools, which had uplifted and modernized 19th century Denmark.
Frank: Myles Horton’s interracial study groups
in the 1930’s were for coal mine labor union leaders, 1940s for cotton mill
union leaders, 1950s-60s for civil rights leaders: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther
King, Jr., and hundreds more.
in the 1930’s were for coal mine labor union leaders, 1940s for cotton mill
union leaders, 1950s-60s for civil rights leaders: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther
King, Jr., and hundreds more.
Betty: At Myles Horton’s Highlander “We Shall
Overcome,” the civil rights song heard round the world, was popularized by
white folk singer Guy Carawan (1927- died May 2, 2015).
Overcome,” the civil rights song heard round the world, was popularized by
white folk singer Guy Carawan (1927- died May 2, 2015).
Frank: Horton’s Highlander workshops pioneered
peaceful public school integration after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown
vs. Board of Education outlawed separate white and black schools.
peaceful public school integration after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown
vs. Board of Education outlawed separate white and black schools.
Betty: Myles Horton’s citizenship classes
enabled blacks to read and write to meet voter registration requirements.
enabled blacks to read and write to meet voter registration requirements.
Frank: Myles Horton 1970s-80s classes helped
elect black sheriffs, black mayors, plus other black officials.
elect black sheriffs, black mayors, plus other black officials.
Betty: Chicago author Studs Terkel wrote:
“Were I to choose America’s most influential and inspiring educator, it would
be Myles Horton of Highlander.”
“Were I to choose America’s most influential and inspiring educator, it would
be Myles Horton of Highlander.”
Frank: Bill Moyers, aide to Pres. Lyndon
Johnson, later PBS broadcaster, wrote: “[Myles Horton] has been beaten up,
locked up, put upon … railed against by racists, toughs, demagogues, and
governors. But…[for over 50 years]
he …help[ed] people…discover within themselves the courage and ability to
confront reality and change.”
Johnson, later PBS broadcaster, wrote: “[Myles Horton] has been beaten up,
locked up, put upon … railed against by racists, toughs, demagogues, and
governors. But…[for over 50 years]
he …help[ed] people…discover within themselves the courage and ability to
confront reality and change.”
Betty: We have conveniently forgotten
that the civil rights blacks fought for in the 1960s were, 100 years earlier,
legally given to them in three post-Civil War U.S. Constitutional Amendments
which Southern diehards subverted.
that the civil rights blacks fought for in the 1960s were, 100 years earlier,
legally given to them in three post-Civil War U.S. Constitutional Amendments
which Southern diehards subverted.
Frank: The 13th Amendment, U.S. Constitution
(adopted 1865), abolished slavery; the 14th Amendment (1868) granted equal
protection to all; the 15th Amendment (1870), granted voting rights.
(adopted 1865), abolished slavery; the 14th Amendment (1868) granted equal
protection to all; the 15th Amendment (1870), granted voting rights.
Betty: What irony that 1960s black protesters
shed blood to reinstate freedoms given them 100 years earlier in these 3 post
Civil War Constitutional Amendments.
shed blood to reinstate freedoms given them 100 years earlier in these 3 post
Civil War Constitutional Amendments.
Frank: We now look at 3 main 1960s heroes,
their motives and concerns; the three most responsible for the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
their motives and concerns; the three most responsible for the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Betty: Dr. King, Pres. Kennedy, and Pres.
Johnson.
Johnson.
Frank: We’ve mentioned King’s Montgomery, AL,
bus boycott speech, but not the circumstances of his forever remembered “I have
a dream” speech.
bus boycott speech, but not the circumstances of his forever remembered “I have
a dream” speech.
Betty: King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech
Aug. 28, 1963, before 250,000 gathered on the mall between the Lincoln Memorial
and the Washington Monument at the end of the March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom.
Aug. 28, 1963, before 250,000 gathered on the mall between the Lincoln Memorial
and the Washington Monument at the end of the March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom.
Frank: The motive for the March was to press
Congress to pass the stymied Civil Rights Bill. This largest ever gathering at the Washington, D.C. Mall had
heavy media coverage and a long list of speakers.
Congress to pass the stymied Civil Rights Bill. This largest ever gathering at the Washington, D.C. Mall had
heavy media coverage and a long list of speakers.
Betty: No
speaker wanted to be last, thinking the crowd would be leaving and TV coverage
gone. Dr. King humbly took the
last speaker spot.
speaker wanted to be last, thinking the crowd would be leaving and TV coverage
gone. Dr. King humbly took the
last speaker spot.
Frank: King began his prepared speech when
nearby seated black gospel singer Mahalia Jackson (1911-72), called to
him: “Tell about your dream,
Martin, tell about your dream.”
nearby seated black gospel singer Mahalia Jackson (1911-72), called to
him: “Tell about your dream,
Martin, tell about your dream.”
Betty: Leaving his script, animated, emotional,
King’s 142 words, torn from his heart and soul, ended with…
King’s 142 words, torn from his heart and soul, ended with…
Frank: “I
have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where
they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their
character.”
have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where
they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their
character.”
Betty: Overpowering applause, cheers and tears
filled the gigantic mall at King’s shortest, greatest speech.
filled the gigantic mall at King’s shortest, greatest speech.
Frank: Second hero, Pres. John F. Kennedy, was
immediately burdened with earth-shaking USA-USSR conflicts. He privately favored black demands. Publicly he was silent lest he lose
Southern votes needed for his anticipated 1964 re-election.
immediately burdened with earth-shaking USA-USSR conflicts. He privately favored black demands. Publicly he was silent lest he lose
Southern votes needed for his anticipated 1964 re-election.
Betty:
Founding father Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr. (1888-1969) raised 9 children to be
first and best in school, sports, and public service.
Founding father Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr. (1888-1969) raised 9 children to be
first and best in school, sports, and public service.
Frank: First born son, charismatic Joseph
Patrick Kennedy, Jr., was groomed to seek the U.S. presidency. But he died in a WW II secret mission
plane explosion.
Patrick Kennedy, Jr., was groomed to seek the U.S. presidency. But he died in a WW II secret mission
plane explosion.
Betty: Second son JFK, pressured to take his
place, also in WW II, commanded a small PT Boat cut in two by a Japanese
warship.
place, also in WW II, commanded a small PT Boat cut in two by a Japanese
warship.
Frank: JFK saved one crew member’s life, got
the rest to safety. His deeds,
publicized by his father in a widely read magazine, helped make JFK a war hero. He served 6 years in the U.S. House of
Representative, 8 years in the U.S. Senate (total, 14 years). His 1960 U.S. Presidency election win
over Republican Richard Nixon was really razor thin.
the rest to safety. His deeds,
publicized by his father in a widely read magazine, helped make JFK a war hero. He served 6 years in the U.S. House of
Representative, 8 years in the U.S. Senate (total, 14 years). His 1960 U.S. Presidency election win
over Republican Richard Nixon was really razor thin.
Betty:
During that 1960 Kennedy-Nixon presidential campaign Martin Luther King, Jr.,
with others in an Atlanta, GA, lunch room sit in, was arrested.
During that 1960 Kennedy-Nixon presidential campaign Martin Luther King, Jr.,
with others in an Atlanta, GA, lunch room sit in, was arrested.
Frank: The others were freed but King was held
in Georgia State Prison, Reidsville, GA, likely to be secretly beaten or
killed.
in Georgia State Prison, Reidsville, GA, likely to be secretly beaten or
killed.
Betty: Kennedy phoned King’s wife Coretta to
comfort her while his brother, Robert Kennedy (1925-68), phoned Georgia
officials and gained King’s release.
comfort her while his brother, Robert Kennedy (1925-68), phoned Georgia
officials and gained King’s release.
Frank: Result: A big black vote for JFK which
helped his razor thin election win over Richard Nixon. 17
helped his razor thin election win over Richard Nixon. 17
Betty: Pres. Kennedy was impressed by the
peaceful dignity of that Aug. 28, 1963, “March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom” and by Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. Afterwards JFK invited black
leaders to the White House and endorsed their civil rights demands.
peaceful dignity of that Aug. 28, 1963, “March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom” and by Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. Afterwards JFK invited black
leaders to the White House and endorsed their civil rights demands.
Frank: Months before his assassination JFK
sent Congress two important bills for debate and passage: a tax cut bill to
boost the economy and the before-mentioned near fool-proof Civil Rights bill
which his staff had drafted to eliminate weaknesses that were in earlier civil
rights acts.
sent Congress two important bills for debate and passage: a tax cut bill to
boost the economy and the before-mentioned near fool-proof Civil Rights bill
which his staff had drafted to eliminate weaknesses that were in earlier civil
rights acts.
Betty: Congressional segregationists planned
to weaken or kill both bills, when Pres. Kennedy was assassinated.
to weaken or kill both bills, when Pres. Kennedy was assassinated.
Frank: His successor, Pres. Lyndon Johnson
saved, improved, won passage of, and signed both historic bills into law.
saved, improved, won passage of, and signed both historic bills into law.
Betty: Pres. Johnson also, used his
legislative skills to fulfill many of the 1960s protesters’ demands and left a
lasting legacy of far-reaching laws.
legislative skills to fulfill many of the 1960s protesters’ demands and left a
lasting legacy of far-reaching laws.
Frank: Pres. Kennedy, and to a lesser degree
Martin Luther King, Jr. were from affluent families, well educated, bound to
succeed. Not so Lyndon Johnson:
humbly born, early deprived, who by conniving and by his wits became not only
master of Congressional procedures but also of its intrigues.
Martin Luther King, Jr. were from affluent families, well educated, bound to
succeed. Not so Lyndon Johnson:
humbly born, early deprived, who by conniving and by his wits became not only
master of Congressional procedures but also of its intrigues.
Betty: Lyndon Johnson realized the Kennedys
had reluctantly made him Vice President just to insure Southern votes for John
F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential win.
had reluctantly made him Vice President just to insure Southern votes for John
F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential win.
Frank:
Johnson knew he was excluded from Kennedy’s inner circle.
Johnson knew he was excluded from Kennedy’s inner circle.
Betty: Johnson feared he would be dropped from
the ticket in JFK’s 1964 re-election bid.
the ticket in JFK’s 1964 re-election bid.
Frank: Yet, Lyndon Johnson, unlikely hero, in
the wrenching hours after Pres. Kennedy’s assassination, remembered his own
early poverty, remembered his first job teaching poor Mexican Americans,
remembered his 1930s Depression job for FDR as head of Texas National Youth
Administration, remembered his private vow, if given power, to uplift America’s
poor.
the wrenching hours after Pres. Kennedy’s assassination, remembered his own
early poverty, remembered his first job teaching poor Mexican Americans,
remembered his 1930s Depression job for FDR as head of Texas National Youth
Administration, remembered his private vow, if given power, to uplift America’s
poor.
Betty: With presidential power unexpectedly
thrust upon him, Lyndon Johnson did what neither Martin Luther King, Jr., nor
Pres. John F. Kennedy, could do.
thrust upon him, Lyndon Johnson did what neither Martin Luther King, Jr., nor
Pres. John F. Kennedy, could do.
Frank: Pres. Lyndon Johnson used his great
Congressional skills to win passage of both Pres. Kennedy’s tax cut bill and
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Congressional skills to win passage of both Pres. Kennedy’s tax cut bill and
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Betty: Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 presidential
election trounced Republican Barry Goldwater: won 61.1% popular vote and 44 of
the 50 states. Instead of
being jubilant LBJ said sadly and correctly: We [Democrats] have lost the South
to the Republicans for perhaps a generation.
election trounced Republican Barry Goldwater: won 61.1% popular vote and 44 of
the 50 states. Instead of
being jubilant LBJ said sadly and correctly: We [Democrats] have lost the South
to the Republicans for perhaps a generation.
Frank: Remember loser Barry Goldwater’s 1964
campaign remark, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice…and moderation
in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”--heralded the rise of a stronger
conservative Republican Party and its recent Tea Party extremists.
campaign remark, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice…and moderation
in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”--heralded the rise of a stronger
conservative Republican Party and its recent Tea Party extremists.
Betty
Important to mention is the Martin Luther King, Jr.-led Selma-to-Montgomery,
AL, March for Voting Rights, right across Gov. George C. Wallace’s (1919-97)
segregated heartland.
Important to mention is the Martin Luther King, Jr.-led Selma-to-Montgomery,
AL, March for Voting Rights, right across Gov. George C. Wallace’s (1919-97)
segregated heartland.
Frank: Selma, AL., then notorious for its
segregated low 2% black vote, is 54 miles from Montgomery, Al.’s capital. Gov. Wallace had barred blacks
from the University of Al; had vowed: segregation now, segregation
forever. March 1965, 50 years ago,
black leaders, knowing that Pres. Lyndon Johnson-initiated Voting Rights Bill
(later Voting Rights Act of 1965), about to go to Congress for debate, decided
to press Congress for its quick approval through a massive black
Selma-to-Montgomery, AL, March for Voting Rights.
segregated low 2% black vote, is 54 miles from Montgomery, Al.’s capital. Gov. Wallace had barred blacks
from the University of Al; had vowed: segregation now, segregation
forever. March 1965, 50 years ago,
black leaders, knowing that Pres. Lyndon Johnson-initiated Voting Rights Bill
(later Voting Rights Act of 1965), about to go to Congress for debate, decided
to press Congress for its quick approval through a massive black
Selma-to-Montgomery, AL, March for Voting Rights.
Betty:
Blacks needed it badly because it removed restrictions specifically meant to
keep blacks from their right to vote.
Blacks needed it badly because it removed restrictions specifically meant to
keep blacks from their right to vote.
Frank: The Selma to Montgomery March for
Voting Rights began on March 7, 1965, with some 600 marchers who after six
blocks were viciously forced back by club swinging state and local police
causing falls, injuries, and deaths.
A second attempt two days later, March 9, 1965, was also police attacked and aborted.
Voting Rights began on March 7, 1965, with some 600 marchers who after six
blocks were viciously forced back by club swinging state and local police
causing falls, injuries, and deaths.
A second attempt two days later, March 9, 1965, was also police attacked and aborted.
Betty:
March 7, 1965, was later called Bloody Sunday because of police beatings. Black protester leader John Lewis’s
(1940-) skull was fractured (later Georgia Congressman). Killed in the voting rights struggle
were white Viola Liuzzo, white Rev. James Reeb (1927-65), and black Jimmie Lee
Jackson, shot dead by an Alabama state trooper.
March 7, 1965, was later called Bloody Sunday because of police beatings. Black protester leader John Lewis’s
(1940-) skull was fractured (later Georgia Congressman). Killed in the voting rights struggle
were white Viola Liuzzo, white Rev. James Reeb (1927-65), and black Jimmie Lee
Jackson, shot dead by an Alabama state trooper.
Frank: On March 10, 1965, amid plans for the
third successful Selma to Montgomery, AL,
March for Voting Rights, Pres. Johnson, when submitting his Voting
Rights bill, said to Congress and the nation:
third successful Selma to Montgomery, AL,
March for Voting Rights, Pres. Johnson, when submitting his Voting
Rights bill, said to Congress and the nation:
Betty: “[The Blacks’] cause must be our cause,
too, because it is not just [Black Americans] but really it is all of us, who
must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice.”
too, because it is not just [Black Americans] but really it is all of us, who
must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice.”
Frank: Then,
shocking the jam-packed House Chamber of the of U.S. Capitol, Johnson raised
his arms toward the ceiling, and thundered: “And We Shall Overcome.”
Instant shocked surprise as it sank in: the President of the United States had
voiced the black freedom slogan. Tears ran down cheeks amid long thunderous
applause. Martin Luther King,
watching TV in Birmingham, AL, wept.
shocking the jam-packed House Chamber of the of U.S. Capitol, Johnson raised
his arms toward the ceiling, and thundered: “And We Shall Overcome.”
Instant shocked surprise as it sank in: the President of the United States had
voiced the black freedom slogan. Tears ran down cheeks amid long thunderous
applause. Martin Luther King,
watching TV in Birmingham, AL, wept.
Betty: In
the third successful Selma to Montgomery, AL Voting Rights March, on March 21,
1965, some 25,000 reached Montgomery, the state capitol. Five months later Congress passed and
LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
the third successful Selma to Montgomery, AL Voting Rights March, on March 21,
1965, some 25,000 reached Montgomery, the state capitol. Five months later Congress passed and
LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Frank: Selma, the acclaimed
2014 film, was faulted for misrepresenting Pres. Johnson as opposing the Selma
march. Johnson approved that march
but suggested delay to Martin Luther King, Jr., not wanting to disrupt delicate
behind-the-scenes congressional lobbying for passage of the Voting Rights Bill,
passed and signed August 6, 1965.
2014 film, was faulted for misrepresenting Pres. Johnson as opposing the Selma
march. Johnson approved that march
but suggested delay to Martin Luther King, Jr., not wanting to disrupt delicate
behind-the-scenes congressional lobbying for passage of the Voting Rights Bill,
passed and signed August 6, 1965.
Betty:
Pres. Johnson’s fame has risen.
Historian Robert Dallek called him the “Flawed Giant.” Pres. Johnson’s chief assistant Joseph
A. Califano, Jr. (1931-) wrote in 2012 that Barack Obama’s presidency would not
have been possible without Pres. Johnson’s backing of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Pres. Johnson’s fame has risen.
Historian Robert Dallek called him the “Flawed Giant.” Pres. Johnson’s chief assistant Joseph
A. Califano, Jr. (1931-) wrote in 2012 that Barack Obama’s presidency would not
have been possible without Pres. Johnson’s backing of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Frank: Califano called Pres. Johnson:
“America’s most overlooked, complicated, liberal and legislatively productive
president.”21 Johnson’s biographer, prize winner Robert A. Caro,
wrote: Abraham Lincoln freed black Americans, but Lyndon Johnson got them into
voting booths as full-fledged American citizens.
“America’s most overlooked, complicated, liberal and legislatively productive
president.”21 Johnson’s biographer, prize winner Robert A. Caro,
wrote: Abraham Lincoln freed black Americans, but Lyndon Johnson got them into
voting booths as full-fledged American citizens.
Betty: Lyndon Johnson gave us: Medicare for
senior citizens; Medicaid and Food Stamps for the poor; Head Start for
pre-school 4 and 5 year olds; federal aid to elementary and secondary
education, Model Cities, clean air, water, and vehicle pollution laws;
Immigration Reform Act, and much more.
senior citizens; Medicaid and Food Stamps for the poor; Head Start for
pre-school 4 and 5 year olds; federal aid to elementary and secondary
education, Model Cities, clean air, water, and vehicle pollution laws;
Immigration Reform Act, and much more.
Frank: Pres. Johnson deliberately signed
Medicare into law at the Truman presidential library, Independence, MO,
and gave Truman the first Medicare card.
Why? Because Truman in his
presidency had tried but failed to enact national health insurance. It was a nice, gracous gesture.
Medicare into law at the Truman presidential library, Independence, MO,
and gave Truman the first Medicare card.
Why? Because Truman in his
presidency had tried but failed to enact national health insurance. It was a nice, gracous gesture.
Betty:
Pres. Johnson also appropriately chose to sign the Immigration Reform Act at
New York Harbor’s Statue of Liberty. Why? Because at the statue’s base is Emma
Lazarus’s (1849-87) moving poem:
Pres. Johnson also appropriately chose to sign the Immigration Reform Act at
New York Harbor’s Statue of Liberty. Why? Because at the statue’s base is Emma
Lazarus’s (1849-87) moving poem:
Frank:
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my
lamp beside the golden door!”
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my
lamp beside the golden door!”
Betty: Truman and Johnson, both self-made men,
had the presidency suddenly thrust upon them, Truman by Pres. Roosevelt’s
death, Johnson by Pres. Kennedy’s assassination.
had the presidency suddenly thrust upon them, Truman by Pres. Roosevelt’s
death, Johnson by Pres. Kennedy’s assassination.
Frank: Truman was saddled with the unpopular
Korean war, Johnson with the unpopular Vietnam war. Each, having replaced extremely popular presidents, was held
in lower esteem.
Korean war, Johnson with the unpopular Vietnam war. Each, having replaced extremely popular presidents, was held
in lower esteem.
Betty: Yet, both have since been highly
esteemed for their accomplishments.
esteemed for their accomplishments.
Frank: Pres. Johnson, like Pres. Kennedy, inherited
the Vietnam War from Pres. Eisenhower.
Johnson saw no way to end it honorably, felt he had to escalate to win,
not wanting to be the first president to lose a major war.
the Vietnam War from Pres. Eisenhower.
Johnson saw no way to end it honorably, felt he had to escalate to win,
not wanting to be the first president to lose a major war.
Betty: Pres. Johnson could not give us both
guns (Vietnam War victory) and butter (Great Society). The anti-war chant, “LBJ, LBJ, how many kids have you
killed today?” tore at his heart and soul.
guns (Vietnam War victory) and butter (Great Society). The anti-war chant, “LBJ, LBJ, how many kids have you
killed today?” tore at his heart and soul.
Frank: LBJ said to Lady Bird: we did our best;
time to go back to the ranch. He
told a national audience, March 31, 1968: I will not run for re-election.
time to go back to the ranch. He
told a national audience, March 31, 1968: I will not run for re-election.
Betty: By
1968, the liberal hour was over.
Richard Nixon was elected President. The Republicans were taking control.
1968, the liberal hour was over.
Richard Nixon was elected President. The Republicans were taking control.
Frank: Our 3 major 1960s leaders--King,
Kennedy, Johnson, plus so many who helped them, left us a goodly heritage. They gave us much but not everything
the 1960s protesters fought for, suffered for, died for.
Kennedy, Johnson, plus so many who helped them, left us a goodly heritage. They gave us much but not everything
the 1960s protesters fought for, suffered for, died for.
Betty: We honor the 1960s Protesters, the many heroes who backed them, the liberal U.S. Supreme
Court who approved them. Above all
we honor the millions who endured hate and misery but never lost hope. They all
made America better.
Court who approved them. Above all
we honor the millions who endured hate and misery but never lost hope. They all
made America better.
Frank: Now, Betty’s conclusion, and then mine.
Betty:
Frank will alternate with me:
Frank will alternate with me:
My first
conclusion is, Yes, protesters and demonstrators made a difference. But the book, Liberal Hour’s main point
is that the 1960s greatest legacy came because
of passage of the many liberal laws we enjoy to this day.
conclusion is, Yes, protesters and demonstrators made a difference. But the book, Liberal Hour’s main point
is that the 1960s greatest legacy came because
of passage of the many liberal laws we enjoy to this day.
Frank: Betty’s 2nd conclusion: How fortunate
that the 1960s liberal laws were upheld by the most liberal Supreme Court in
U.S. history under Chief Justice Earl Warren (1891-1974), a Republican.
that the 1960s liberal laws were upheld by the most liberal Supreme Court in
U.S. history under Chief Justice Earl Warren (1891-1974), a Republican.
My 3rd
conclusion: Pres. Johnson’s legislative success provided us seniors with
Medicare. Many of the needy have
Food Stamps (since 1964) and Medicaid (since 1965). One-third of all Americans
now have Medicare or Medicaid.
conclusion: Pres. Johnson’s legislative success provided us seniors with
Medicare. Many of the needy have
Food Stamps (since 1964) and Medicaid (since 1965). One-third of all Americans
now have Medicare or Medicaid.
Frank: Betty’s final conclusion: The Civil Rights Act 1964 and the
Voting Rights Act 1965 made blacks an important political force. Sadly today barriers to voting are still being erected.
Voting Rights Act 1965 made blacks an important political force. Sadly today barriers to voting are still being erected.
Betty:
In reaction to 1960s empowerment of blacks, Southern
Democrats became conservative Republicans.
In reaction to 1960s empowerment of blacks, Southern
Democrats became conservative Republicans.
¶Now Frank’s
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Frank:
I see the 1960s protests as a mini-revolt that gave minorities long
overdue civil rights and gave the poor more government aid. These gains righted
wrongs of prejßßßßßudice and neglect. But vast problems remain.
I see the 1960s protests as a mini-revolt that gave minorities long
overdue civil rights and gave the poor more government aid. These gains righted
wrongs of prejßßßßßudice and neglect. But vast problems remain.
What we lack, what we need, is a vision of the
future: How do we collectively--in
our heart of hearts, and for all our children and the world’s children--create
a more perfect union in a more peaceful world? How do we transform war
into peace, discord into harmony, fierce competition into reasonable
cooperation?
future: How do we collectively--in
our heart of hearts, and for all our children and the world’s children--create
a more perfect union in a more peaceful world? How do we transform war
into peace, discord into harmony, fierce competition into reasonable
cooperation?
That’s basically what every presidential
election is about. The only way I
see it being done is by moderate l960s-style protests that result in beneficial
improvements for all the world’s people.
election is about. The only way I
see it being done is by moderate l960s-style protests that result in beneficial
improvements for all the world’s people.
In our discussion a minute or
so ahead, please, some in this wise and humane audience tell about your 1960s
experiences; and more particularly tell what you would do if you had the power
to improve the world. ¶But Betty
has a last request.
so ahead, please, some in this wise and humane audience tell about your 1960s
experiences; and more particularly tell what you would do if you had the power
to improve the world. ¶But Betty
has a last request.
Betty: Before closing,
we ask those here who knew Martin Luther King, Jr. please to stand. Now, anyone who protested in the 1960s
please stand with them. And now the rest of you stand, because wherever you
were, you were surely praying that “justice would run down like water.” Our thanks and applause.
¶Win Stone will lead us in singing the first verse of “We Shall Overcome.” (We end with: “We
shall overcome, We shall overcome, We shall overcome some day. I do believe deep in my heart that we
shall overcome someday.”)
we ask those here who knew Martin Luther King, Jr. please to stand. Now, anyone who protested in the 1960s
please stand with them. And now the rest of you stand, because wherever you
were, you were surely praying that “justice would run down like water.” Our thanks and applause.
¶Win Stone will lead us in singing the first verse of “We Shall Overcome.” (We end with: “We
shall overcome, We shall overcome, We shall overcome some day. I do believe deep in my heart that we
shall overcome someday.”)
Frank:
Thank you for being here. We could not have reviewed this topic without
you. Save a life, lift a life, and
you save the world. ¶We turn the meeting over to Mary Schantz and Don Smith,
wonderful book review coordinators.
Thank you for being here. We could not have reviewed this topic without
you. Save a life, lift a life, and
you save the world. ¶We turn the meeting over to Mary Schantz and Don Smith,
wonderful book review coordinators.
End.
Books Used
1.
Busby, Horace. The
Thirty-First of March; An Intimate Portrait of Lyndon Johnson’s Final Days in
Office. NY:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
Author was one of Pres. Johnson’s most trusted advisors.
Busby, Horace. The
Thirty-First of March; An Intimate Portrait of Lyndon Johnson’s Final Days in
Office. NY:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.
Author was one of Pres. Johnson’s most trusted advisors.
2.
Caro, Robert A. The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Passage of Power. See fine
review of this masterly LBJ biography.
Caro, Robert A. The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Passage of Power. See fine
review of this masterly LBJ biography.
3.
Craats, Rennay. 20th
Century USA; History of the 1960s. Mankato, MN: Weigl
Publishers, 2001. 48 p.,
short, pithy, brief overview.
Craats, Rennay. 20th
Century USA; History of the 1960s. Mankato, MN: Weigl
Publishers, 2001. 48 p.,
short, pithy, brief overview.
4.
Dallek, Robert. Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times 1961-1973. NY: Oxford University Press, 1998. Excellent account.
Dallek, Robert. Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times 1961-1973. NY: Oxford University Press, 1998. Excellent account.
5. Ellis, Sylvia. Freedom's Pragmatist: Lyndon Johnson and Civil Rights. Gainesville,
FL: University of Florida Press, 2013.
FL: University of Florida Press, 2013.
6.
Gitling, Todd. The
Sixties: Years of Hope, Years of Rage. NY: Bantam Books, 1987.
Gitling, Todd. The
Sixties: Years of Hope, Years of Rage. NY: Bantam Books, 1987.
7. Goodwin, Richard N. Remembering America. Boston, MA; Little, Brown and Co., 1988. First hand account of the 1960s by advisor-writer for
U.S. Presidents JFK speechwriter for, an adviser to and a confidant of,
successively, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy
and LBJ, both of whom did their best toward liberalizing 1960s problems. See
insightful review of this book at:
U.S. Presidents JFK speechwriter for, an adviser to and a confidant of,
successively, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy
and LBJ, both of whom did their best toward liberalizing 1960s problems. See
insightful review of this book at:
8.
Meltzer, Milton. There
Comes A Time: The Struggle for Civil Rights. NY: Random House, 2001. Excellent, simple, thorough, balanced;
has useful “Calendar of Civil Rights History, 1940-68.”
Meltzer, Milton. There
Comes A Time: The Struggle for Civil Rights. NY: Random House, 2001. Excellent, simple, thorough, balanced;
has useful “Calendar of Civil Rights History, 1940-68.”
9.
Olsen, James S., Editor. Historical
Dictionary of the 1960s. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999.
Olsen, James S., Editor. Historical
Dictionary of the 1960s. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999.
10.
Purdum, Todd S. An Idea
Whose Time Has Come: Two Presidents, Two Parties, and the Battle for the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. NY:
Macmillan, 2014. Excellent coverage of the USA Civil Rights Act; sent to
Congress by Pres. J.F. Kennedy where Southern segregationists planned to kill
it; Pres. L.B. Johnson saved, improved, and signed it.
Purdum, Todd S. An Idea
Whose Time Has Come: Two Presidents, Two Parties, and the Battle for the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. NY:
Macmillan, 2014. Excellent coverage of the USA Civil Rights Act; sent to
Congress by Pres. J.F. Kennedy where Southern segregationists planned to kill
it; Pres. L.B. Johnson saved, improved, and signed it.
11. Smith, Hedrick. Who Stole the American Dream? NY: Random House, 2012. How USA has been robbed of its dream of
a broad middle class by favoring banks, Wall Street, and the rich over past 40
years.
a broad middle class by favoring banks, Wall Street, and the rich over past 40
years.
12.
Stewart, John G. When
Democracy Worked: Reflections on the Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Knoxville, TN, 2014. Author, legislative director for U.S.
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D, Minn.), tells history of, and how he, Humphrey
and others, worked hard maneuvering legislative passage through many hurdles of
this centerpiece civil rights act of its time.
Stewart, John G. When
Democracy Worked: Reflections on the Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Knoxville, TN, 2014. Author, legislative director for U.S.
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D, Minn.), tells history of, and how he, Humphrey
and others, worked hard maneuvering legislative passage through many hurdles of
this centerpiece civil rights act of its time.
13.
Time-Life Books Editors. Turbulent
Years: the 60s.
Alexandria, VA. Editors of
Time-Life Books, no year given, 192 pp.
Thorough, news-journalism, coverage. End.
Time-Life Books Editors. Turbulent
Years: the 60s.
Alexandria, VA. Editors of
Time-Life Books, no year given, 192 pp.
Thorough, news-journalism, coverage. End.
1960s Sources, extremely large, can be
accessed via Google.com or other search engines by typing in such topics as:
1960s USA, 1960s Timelines, African American Protests, USA Civil Rights, etc.,
plus names of key 1960s persons named in above article.
accessed via Google.com or other search engines by typing in such topics as:
1960s USA, 1960s Timelines, African American Protests, USA Civil Rights, etc.,
plus names of key 1960s persons named in above article.
Send corrections, comment to: bfparker@frontiernet.net
Postcript:
2015 Published writingsof Franklin Parker, 1921-, & Betty June Parker, 1929-, P.O. Box 406,
Pleasant Hill, TN 38578. E-mail:
bfparker@frontiernet.net Copy any of the URLs below,
paste on your browser, click on that URL, and you should access result.
41
of their Library of Congress Publications, listed in (beneath 1. Benjamin…:)
of their Library of Congress Publications, listed in (beneath 1. Benjamin…:)
For our Library
of Congress and WorldCat publications, many
of Congress and WorldCat publications, many
on George
Peabody: copy Franklin Parker, 1921, and Betty J. Parker, 1929-) on your
browser and click on: http://bit.ly/mfEmU2
Peabody: copy Franklin Parker, 1921, and Betty J. Parker, 1929-) on your
browser and click on: http://bit.ly/mfEmU2
British Library,
London, England, lists 9 of our books:
London, England, lists 9 of our books:
then, under
Advanced Search enter: Parker, Franklin, 1921-, and click below on:
Search
Advanced Search enter: Parker, Franklin, 1921-, and click below on:
Search
Ten Franklin
Parker book entries in Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Parker/e/B001KMQUD8 Or: http://tinyurl.com/qdd35z
Parker book entries in Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Parker/e/B001KMQUD8 Or: http://tinyurl.com/qdd35z
Access our
many articles through google.com or any other search engine by typing as
subject any of the following: Franklin Parker, or Betty J. Parker,
or Franklin and Betty J. Parker, or Betty and Franklin Parker, or bfparker, or bfparker@frontiernet.net
many articles through google.com or any other search engine by typing as
subject any of the following: Franklin Parker, or Betty J. Parker,
or Franklin and Betty J. Parker, or Betty and Franklin Parker, or bfparker, or bfparker@frontiernet.net
Franklin Parker,
1921-Publications in U.S. Govt. ERIC File, 5 pp, full text available: http://eric.ed.gov/?q=Parker%2C+Franklin&ft=on
1921-Publications in U.S. Govt. ERIC File, 5 pp, full text available: http://eric.ed.gov/?q=Parker%2C+Franklin&ft=on
For our
articles in: hubpages.com paste on your browser and click
on: http://hubpages.com/search/bfparker
articles in: hubpages.com paste on your browser and click
on: http://hubpages.com/search/bfparker
For F.P.'s
articles on: 1-George Peabody College of Vanderbilt Univ., 2-Peabody
Education Fund in TN., & 3-May Cravath Wharton: click on: http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/author.php?rec=190
articles on: 1-George Peabody College of Vanderbilt Univ., 2-Peabody
Education Fund in TN., & 3-May Cravath Wharton: click on: http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/author.php?rec=190
For a funny skit
on our 61st wedding anniversary, access:
on our 61st wedding anniversary, access:
Vanderbilt
University's Wise Library, Nashville, has these 9 Franklin Parker, 1921-,
publications (with Lib. of Congress call numbers): (copy on your browser
and click on): http://tinyurl.com/leroakx
University's Wise Library, Nashville, has these 9 Franklin Parker, 1921-,
publications (with Lib. of Congress call numbers): (copy on your browser
and click on): http://tinyurl.com/leroakx
1. George
Peabody, a biography Rev.
ed. HV28 .P4 P29 1995, 1995
Peabody, a biography Rev.
ed. HV28 .P4 P29 1995, 1995
2. George
Peabody, a biography [electronic
resource] Rev. ed. 1995.
Peabody, a biography [electronic
resource] Rev. ed. 1995.
3. Education in
the People's Republic of China, Past and Present : An Annotated Bibliography,
1986.
the People's Republic of China, Past and Present : An Annotated Bibliography,
1986.
4. U.S. higher
education : a guide to information sources, 1980.
education : a guide to information sources, 1980.
5. British
schools and ours, 1979.
379.156 P224b, 1975
schools and ours, 1979.
379.156 P224b, 1975
6. The Battle
of the Books : Kanawha County. Parker, Franklin, 1921-. Z5811 .P25 v.18,pt.1,
1971
of the Books : Kanawha County. Parker, Franklin, 1921-. Z5811 .P25 v.18,pt.1,
1971
7. American
dissertations on foreign education; a bibliography with abstracts (20 volume
series).
dissertations on foreign education; a bibliography with abstracts (20 volume
series).
370.8 In8, no.2,
1960
1960
8. African
development and education in Southern Rhodesia. 370 P32 no.70 v.2,
1956
development and education in Southern Rhodesia. 370 P32 no.70 v.2,
1956
9. George
Peabody, founder of modern philanthropy.
Peabody, founder of modern philanthropy.
Berea
College's Hutchins Library , Ky (the Parkers' undergraduate college, FP,
B.A., 1949; BJP, B.A., 1950), lists 17 of their publication titles: Copy
and click on:
College's Hutchins Library , Ky (the Parkers' undergraduate college, FP,
B.A., 1949; BJP, B.A., 1950), lists 17 of their publication titles: Copy
and click on:
http://banc.berea.edu:7008/vwebv/searchResults?searchId=10387&recPointer=10&recCount=10 Or: http://tinyurl.com/nzhksll
For
Picture/article F. Parker playing Xmas Jingle Bells: copy, paste on your
browser:
Picture/article F. Parker playing Xmas Jingle Bells: copy, paste on your
browser:
Lists
66 of Franklin Parker's publications in the U.S. Government ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center)
system, with access to Abstract of each Publication plus full access to each
Publication. Paste on your browser and click on:
66 of Franklin Parker's publications in the U.S. Government ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center)
system, with access to Abstract of each Publication plus full access to each
Publication. Paste on your browser and click on:
