Author Archives: Eliza

The Tipping Point

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In Charles Houston’s Article, “Education Inequalities Must Go”, we see a definitive action plan to solve educational inequalities, instated by the N.A.A.C.P. Although I appreciated this concrete and unwavering plan, the part that I found most valuable to their argument is when he touches on this philosophical idea of human existence and how we all wish to be treated with respect and equality. When he states “To the N.A.A.C.P ‘amicable race relations’ means mutual helpfulness in promoting the common welfare allowing to everybody concerned the full benefit of the law and equality of opportunity.” In the statement following he says it is not “whether the whites and Negroes can remain friends while the Negro is at the little end of the horn”. Right here Houston has posed a great challenge to all races of America. He is making a statement about humankind and how we all need to treat one another equally because we are all humans and want the same thing. Inclusion, respect, we are social beings after all. Personally, I don’t think that stating your action plan is going to intimidate of change the whites in power as much as this statement which almost digs at all human feelings. It can be understood by all and really causes people to think and reflect on their actions and test if they are truly acting, as they would want to be treated.

 

I also found interesting how much the circumstances of our presidents changed the course of the civil rights movement. In another leadership class we have read numerous books by Malcolm Gladwell. One of his books, titled The Tipping Point examines those little instances that change a situation dramatically. I think this truly occurred in the context of the Civil Rights Movement when FDR became president. His presidency began a domino effect of positive changes towards solving the social injustices of African Americans. The Joint Committee on National Recovery also dramatically changed the course of the civil rights movement. Finally, the concert at the Lincoln Memorial and Eleanor Roosevelt’s resignation from the DAR, demonstrate the constantly changing mindset of the nation at the time.

 

A few questions to reflect upon:

 

1. What are other examples of “tipping point” like situations that have occurred during the Civil Rights Movements?

 

2. Without people like the Roosevelts would the civil rights movement have gained so much momentum as quickly? Would they have attained goals?

 

3. Did you find Houston’s article statement on humanity as moving? Do you think it changed the mentalities of whites in Virginia at the time?

 

– Eliza McLean

 

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” -George Bernard Shaw

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Chapter 10 in Meyer’s book leaves in the hearts and minds of the readers, this idea of the continuation of protest. We see in this chapter his opinion on protests, mainly his belief in the power of protest and its vital place in our political society. I think he sends a strong message to his listeners about the importance of their role in politics. What I took mainly from this chapter was that the citizen should always be active. They should not fear rejection or change; rather they should desire to voice their opinions and act upon them in protest. The great thing about our nation is that it is a democracy. We declared that we should be given the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Later, we turned these dreams into policies of justice and freedom in our bill of rights. Meyer brings to our attention this fact because he believes it has been somewhat lost. He suggests that some citizens have begun passive or cynical about politics and thus retreat to their private lives. But we are blessed with the gift of free speech yet how can we expect our voice to be heard without protests.

In three famous examples, with recurring themes about voting rights he demonstrates the change created by our historical involvement in social movements, as well as one example from the present. This idea that American citizens including soldiers, African-Americans, and women were at one point in time denied the right to vote, is astonishing for any present day American to even fathom. We are lucky to have both the freedom to voice our opinion in protests and elections. Not every person around the world has this right. So use it! Exercise your rights. Instead of complaining about the government, be an active citizen. A great example, Meyer gives us are the protests against George W. Bush’s resurrection. These protests, like OWS, and the civil right movements give us hope for the future, as long as citizens with “collective standings” as Meyer defines it, continue to come together and fight for these common grievances, our country can rebuild itself.

As I have reflected above upon this chapter, I have been able to look at my own role in politics or lack their of. I have a lot of work to do in being more of an active and informed citizen. I have realized through this book and class the importance of protest. Although, I may not believe in every trivial issue, I do believe in the broader theory behind voicing these issues.  Protests keep us all in check. They remind us of how privileged we are to live in the land of the free and they bring justice. My first step to improve my own civic responsibility is to vote.

1) Do you think eventually the OWS protests will create change? Or do you think that our politics are so corrupted that their efforts will go unanswered?

2) What steps can you take to be a better citizen? How can you avoid becoming ignorant and inactive? What are some of your own grievances towards American government? Or more specifically, the Richmond government and community? What injustices do you see?

3) Do you think Meyer is too idealistic and simplistic to say that creating change is as easy as being a courageous citizen who accepts political responsibilities by protesting with others?

Eliza McLean