While this course deals specifically with the Civil Rights Movement, it is important to note that this decade saw many changes - and that the year 1968, in particular, was a year that impacted history for years to come.  Learn more about it by watching the video to the right and even more about the Civil Rights Movement in 1968.  Other things that happened include the ongoing Vietnam War (1964-1973) and the election of Republican Richard Nixon as President of the United States.

taking a stand at the olympic games

 (It’s an iconic image: Two athletes raise their fists on the Olympic podium. The photograph, taken after the 200 meter race at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, turned African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos from track-and-field stars into the center of a roiling controversy over their raised-fist salute, a symbol of black power and the human rights movement at large.
But look in the photo and you’ll see another man as well: silver medalist Peter Norman, a white Australian runner. Norman didn’t raise his fist that day, but he stood with Smith and Carlos. Though his show of solidarity ended up destroying Norman’s career, the three athletes’ actions that day would be just one in a line of protests on the athletic stage. (History Channel)
What are other symbolic protests that you have heard of?  What - if you could - would you protest and how would you do that?  What inspiration can we draw from these athletes, reflect on what you learned about them.
Excerpts from the last speech Martin Luther King Jr., gave the night before his assassination:

the assassination of martin luther king jr.

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., happened in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968.  He had given a speech the night before and was there to help with the Sanitation Workers March.
What is the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr,?  What do you find inspirational about his work - and what impact do you think he left on this nation?

the fair housing act of 1968

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin or sex.
A continued history in Housing Segregation:
After watching both videos above, explain what is interesting to you (what stands out) about housing issues in America.  
  • List 3 things you learned about Housing.
  • How do you see housing segregation existing in Cleveland today?  
  • If new housing legislation were passed, what would you like to see included?

the assassination of bobby kennedy

Bobby Kennedy announces the death of MLK Jr. 
Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), also referred to as RFK and Bobby, was an American politician who served as the United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, and as a U.S. Senator from New York from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968.  He was a prominent advocate for the Civil Rights Movement and in 1968 he ran for President as a Democrat.  He was the brother of President John F. Kennedy.
After watching both videos above, reflect on learning about Robert F. Kennedy:
  • List 5 things you learned about RFK.
  • Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., had great respect for each other.  How do you envision how our country may have looked different if both had continued their work (i.e. what would America look like if they were not assassinated)?
  • ​What are your impressions of RFK?

course assessment