Regarding the book about Civil Rights...

I have read the Montgomery Boycott book and found it helpful for understanding the period in question. If you would prefer an alternate reading, let me suggest Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi. If you would like another option, find a different book and ask me if you can read it.

You must have a book about Civil Rights read by Wednesday, May 23^rd. On that day, we will be continuing our discussion of Civil Rights in preparation for the in class essay on Civil Rights that will take place on Wednesday, May 30^th.

AS PROMISED, HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES FOR THE IN CLASS ESSAY:

·         You may bring an outline. Make sure it is an outline, not full sentences or a paragraph. You know the difference;

·         You may bring  any book, or other sources;

·         You may not use electronics during the essay;

·         You will have the whole period to write your essay;

·         You may not ask your instructor how long the essay should be; the essay should have an introduction and conclusion and various body paragraphs. The essay should be detailed with names, dates, organizations, and anything else that helps you make your case;

·         Your essay will be judged on the strength of the argument and the quality of evidence that you employ to prove your case. Your essay will be judged on the argument. What this means is that I expect standard English but not perfect form or perfect grammar and spelling.

For that essay, you will be able to bring in your sources, an outline, or anything else that will help you write a powerful essay on one of the following topics:

1. What was the role of organizations and individuals in the Civil Rights movement and/or resistance against it?

2. Was the strategy of non-violence in the Civil Rights movement realistic? Was it effective? Why did some start to move away from that strategy?

3. The traditional story of Civil Rights focuses on the big events, the main characters, and the key pieces of legislation. How does the history change if we add individuals on the sidelines?

4. Based on your analysis of the culture of evidence, were the most important changes of Civil Rights to law of the land or to the attitudes of the generations during and after the period in question?

5. COME UP WITH YOUR OWN QUESTION...IT MUST BE CLEARED WITH ME FIRST!