This is most of the information which was discovered during the research period this Tuesday. We split up the work so that every person had to do two inquiries. I’ll probably post the other 4 missing parts after I get them later on in the day. This is all that was done today during class.
Letter from Robinson to the Mayor:
How long before Rosa Parks’ arrest was this letter written?
This letter was written a year before the arrest of Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 and this letter was written in 1954.
Why do you think Robinson reminds the mayor that three-fourths of the bus riders in Montgomery are African American? What is her intention?
Robinson reminds the mayor that three-fourths of the bus riders are African American because if the majority of the people riding the bus are African American, they should get equal rights because they’re the majority when it comes to that.
Given this document, agree or disagree with the following phrase, “Rosa Parks caused the Montgomery Bus Boycott.” Explain your position.
I disagree with the phrase because now one can see that the document and the idea of African Americans getting equal rights for transportation came up before the Rosa Parks arrest.
Letter from Durr to Director of Highlander Folk School:
What is the author’s skin color? Why might that be important?
The author’s skin color is white. It’s important because as a white woman at that time, she is one of the few to show support towards African Americans.
According to Durr, what did Myles and Zilphia Horton have to do with the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
Myles and Zilphia had a lot to do with the Bus Boycott because Rosa Parks for the first time was free of discrimination at Highlander, which is who this letter is addressed to, the director and his wife.
Most textbooks refer to Rosa Parks as a tired seamstress. What image of Rosa Parks does this letter convey?
The image that Rosa Parks is presented with thanks to this article is a calm woman who just stood up for what she believed in. She didn’t do it in a flamboyant manner.
Robinson on the boycott leaflet campaign:
When did Robinson write this? How might this detail influence our judgment of this document?
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What resources were in place that helped Robinson with the leaflets?
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Many accounts of the Montgomery Bus Boycott say that once Parks was arrested, the boycott happened. According to Robinson, what happened in between the arrest and the start of the boycott?
[no response]
Abernathy remembers the first meeting of the Montgomery Improvement Association:
What were Abernathy’s two choices and what was the deciding factor guiding that choice? Why is this factor important in creating a successful boycott?
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What does this document suggest about the leaders of the boycott? About their hopes for Rosa Parks?
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How did Abernathy know that the “people were with [them]”? How do you explain the supporters’ enthusiasm?
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Handbill from Central Alabama Citizens Council rally:
When was this written? Given the timing, what might the authors’ intentions be in writing and sharing this document?
February 10th, 1956. He is trying to get a group of white people to counteract the movement started by African Americans.
Consider the phrases and images used to describe African Americans. What obstacles to desegregation does this document show?
It depicts the hate some white people still had against African Americans. They go as far as depicting them as the devil. This will make it hard to desegregate because the hate is still present and if anything they will face violence for success.
What historic document is this modeled after? What does this tell us about how the authors viewed themselves?
This letter was written based off of the Declaration of Independence, the author believed only white people deserved the rights given in the Declaration. The authors believe themselves that white people are the only people worthy. They wanted to defense themselves against African Americans, such as the colonists did against the British.
Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks to the crowd:
Who was King’s audience? What does that imply about King’s intentions in this speech?
King’s audience is anyone who is considering their protests in a good manner or a bad manner. He is trying to insure the ability for them to express themselves.
What does this document suggest are key factors in the success of the boycott?
King suggests that they must push on to achieve equality. He says it will be a long and hard struggle to get to the promise land. King also states that someone will have to sacrifice in order for them to gain recognition. He also thinks courage and intense spirit is needed in order to succeeed.
Find and list four references to religion in this speech. How does King use religion in this speech? What does this imply about the role of religion in the boycott?
The four references to religion in this speech include the part on the Promise Land, God is for the movement, to continue with “the same Christian approach” and basically prays for God to be with the African Americans as this movement continues. This implies that religion was a huge part of getting people together for this boycott.
Bayard Rustin’s diary:
How long after the bus boycott began was this document written?
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How was it possible for African Americans to stay off the buses, but still get to work during the boycott?
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Who does this document suggest were important to the success of the boycott?
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Interview about the boycott:
What experiences and events motivate this woman to continue boycotting the buses?
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What does this woman want as a result of the boycott?
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Whose direction does this woman follow?
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Police Report:
Who are the “authors” of this document? What biases do you think they had? Why might this be important?
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What words in this document explain where Rosa Parks sat? Do you think this means the front, middle, or back of the bus?
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Based on this document, do you think this is the first time a black person had been arrested for refusing to give up a seat in Montgomery, Alabama? Justify your answer using the document.
[no response]
Court Affidavit:
Who signed this document? Why might this be important?
[no response]
How does this document define where Rosa Parks sat? Do you think this means the front, middle, or back of the bus?
[no response]
Compare the two documents. Which document is more trustworthy? Why?
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Ivan Avramovic 