African American Study Questions (Essay Sample)

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African-American Studies, Short Questions
Question 2,
In the Supreme Court's ruling on Brown v. Board of Education (1954), both "tangible" and "intangible" factors were analyzed during their comparison of the educational process for "White" children and "Black" children. What were these "tangible" and "intangible" factors and that one of these was the main factor they use to make their decision
In the case mentioned above, there were several tangible and intangible factors analyzed. There was a stark difference between the education process of white and Black children in the mid-20th century USA. Consequently, there were protestations and Brown vs. Board of Education was one of them. This period was marred with cases on inequality in education and other social structures of the community. As such, social amenities like schools, hospitals, government offices and the like were separated on the basis of race. The United States Constitution fourteenth amendment, the equal protection clause was considered violated by de jure racial segregation. The Supreme Court analyzed facilities like classrooms, laboratories, playgrounds and the like. These were tangible factors that since the 1930s were equal among black and white schools in the USA. The United States was built false decree of equality; people were allowed equal opportunities but were still separated through race. Cases of individuals like Rosa Parks, and Robinson were not synonymous with the expectations of many racially divided states especially in the South. On the other hand, “intangible factors” were things like emotions, feelings, attitudes and the like that were felt among the children in both white and black schools. Among all these factors, several main factors affected the decision of the Supreme Court in 1954 greatly. In 1896, a doctrine was adopted during the case of Plessy vs. Ferguson, where public schools were declared separate but equal. In 1954, judges of the Supreme Court were mainly influenced by the "intangible factors". (Patterson 34-168). While the decision by the Supreme Court was highly appreciated and accepted in many parts of the United States, it did not fully succeed. Public education was not fully desegregated in the United States. However, it was considered a victory that the constitution was against racism and thus galvanized the civil rights movement of the time. Intangible factors played a huge role in influencing the decision of the court. Prior to the case, many psychological studies had been carried out that indicated low racial self-esteem among black girls in segregated schools unlike their white counter parts in the same segregated schools. The Supreme Court came to unprecedented conclusion that inferiority complexes affected black students under racial segregation and thus affecting their ability to learn. As such even with the equitability of tangible factors or facilities in public schools, there was inherent inequality under racial segregation in schools. It is important to note that Brown vs. Board of Education is one of the landmark rulings of the United States Supreme court. (Patterson 36)
Question 3
Compare and contrast the three bus boycotts that were discussed in the book, The Harlem bus boycott, the Baton Rouge bus boycott, and the Montgomery bus boycott. Among other pertinent information, make sure your answer includes: (1) the cause, (2) the spokesperson/“leader,” (3) the duration, and (4) the outcome of each boycott
The Montgomery bus boycott was one of the main boycotts in the USA in the civil rights era. It occurred due to the arrest of Rosa Parks, a civil rights legend who refused to vacate her bus seat to a white individual. The main implications of the boycott were to render the public transport in Montgomery, Alabama inadmissible to black folks in the country. The Boycott ended when the Supreme Court declared segregated buses or transport system in Montgomery, Alabama unconstitutional and illegal under federal ruling Browder vs. Gayle. The leader was Martin Luther King Junior. The boycott was the catalyst of his prosperous time as the civil rights leader in the United States. In addition, the boycott lasted for 385 days. The Baton Rouge bus boycott occurred in Baton Rouge in 1953. In Baton Rouge, black-owned independent buses were declared illegal. This act greatly offended black folks in the region. As such, they instigated a boycott to avoid segregated buses that they were now required to use in their travels. In addition bus driver’s despise of ordinance 222 instigated the boycotts made blacks humiliated and they needed change. The boycott was led by Rev T. J. Jemison and lasted for a short period of eight days acting as a precursor for the more famous Montgomery boycott. Rev T.J Jemison coupled with prominent black business men in the area like Raymond Scott formed an organization called the United Defense League which called for the boycott. It was created to allow black people to ride in front of buses, an area preserved for whites. The boycott encouraged talks between the City Council and the Black leaders leading to the creation of Ordinance 251 that first come first serve policies in buses so long as black and whites did not seat next to each other. Started by Adam Clayton Powell, the Harlem bus boycott was created in 1941 and lasted for one week. The Harlem bus boycott was created to protest the unfair treatment of black folks in Harlem area. Several people were arrested due to the boycott (Garrow 17-35). The Boycott was a major victory for Powell as the transity authority of Halem was forced to hire 200 black workers to increased the racial ratio in the company. The three boycotts represented a victory for the civil rights movement that was present at the time in the United States of America. They paved way for racial freedom and death of racism in the United States.
Question 4
In Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. confesses that has been "gravely disappointed" with two groups for a few years. Who were these two groups and what reasons did he give for his disappointment? Based on his argument, do you think King was justified in having these disappointments? Why or why not?
In his lifetime Martin Luther King was jailed a couple of times due to his activities in support of the civil rights movement. It was during his period at the Birmingham jail that Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter to groups of people who were criticizing his actions and works. One of the groups he criticized was the white moderates. Martin Luther King believed that white moderates delayed freedom more that extremist white groups like the Ku Klux Klan or White Citizens Councilors. The moderates believe in negative peace, having order rather than positive peace which call for justice. Martin Luther King quoted directly from some of the white moderates who said “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”. He despised their inaction and devotion to "order" than to justice. White moderates who agreeable to his goals but against his methods. Also, King was disappointed with his fellow clergymen; they were criticizing his activities terming them as unchristian-like. The clergymen considered his efforts as extremes, calling him an extremist. King was disappointed by their assertions and inactivity in the fight against discrimination, and yet they condemned him for doing something about it. I believe King was justified in his arguments. Both the White moderates and clergymen were not doing enough to fight for civil rights of blacks in the USA. White moderates were passive and clergymen inactive and still condemned him which was unfair (King 1). He believed that lack of action by the white moderates was hurting the civil rights movement at the time. One particular thing, Martin Luther King advocated was the rejection of the myth of time by white moderates. In the letter he mentions recieveing a letter from a Texan minister and a white moderate that states “ All Christians know that the colored people will receive equal rights eventually, however it is possible that you are in too great of religious hurry? It has taken Christianity almost 2000 years to accomplish what it has. The teachings of Christ take time to come earth.” The lack of appreciation by his fellow colleagues also infuriated King. They considered his nonviolent efforts as activitist of an extremist. King believed that ove...