Tuesday, March 17, 2009

"The Children's March" - Period 1

Today, you watched the film, The Children's March. Please post any thoughts you have about the film and comment on at least one other student's post.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can honestly say I was disgusted by the way the whites in Alabama treated the blacks. There were a couple images that i really have burned into my mind, but two stick out the most. One is the picture of the Klansman lifting up his dress exposing the police badge on his chest. The other one is the Klansman holding his toddler who was in bonnet and dress as well. To comment on the first one, the job of a policeman is to protect the innocent no matter what the circumstances. A policeman being a Klansman completely taints their true purpose. To comment on the second image, this is the origin of prejudice in a person. We generally are molded into what our parents want us to be. This is due to how extremely malleable a child's mind is. It is human nature to take the lessons your parents teach you as a young child, and those lessons will stick with you. This is why it is key to teach manners and good to a child early. As for the children's march, it is remarkable that the police would arrest and jail a four year old, and other young children. It is just so ridiculous how the white people could be so blind to how there is really no difference between a white person and a black person. The black people had been living in America just as long as if not longer then most white people.

To comment on what the person who commented before me said, which was nothing, because no one did, the movie left me speechless too.

Anonymous said...

What stuck with me the most from this video, is not the hatred but the incredible courage it took for the black youth of Alabama, it wasnt the adults out there, it was the kids who did what they did for "teedom," I thought the moment when he said he saw the 4 year old was very touching and an amazing testament to how many kids and what age levels were willing to do to attain an ideal. Something they were entitled to and deserved, and their diligence paid off.

the scenes that meant the most to me were, when the group of 10 kids where being barraged by high pressured fire hoses and stayed in their place, singing one word, freedom.

also the scene of the daughter coming home after she got out of jail, and the mother just saying "god Bless You Child." This is because she did something the mother knew she couldn't and was eternally grateful.

The lesson to learn is not hate, discrimination but love, commitment, and courage.
The children set out to do what they needed to do, and the whole country benefited.

Justin had a great point about how the most unlikely of people like the police were in the KKK. It is terrible that the people who are suppose to protect and uphold the law would choose to be a part of such a hateful and damaging organization.

most of the people didnt even know why they wanted segregation, it was just instilled in them for soo long, it was at a point where it needed to be over.

Anonymous said...

I found this movie to be really moving. I saw this exact film last year, but didn't really pay attention, but this year I watched it all the way through and noticed how much it tells. What I got out of it was the nature of humans. That the white people could be so ignorant. I find it extremely selfish when someone judges someone else by the color of their skin. What this movie spoke to me was that injustices exist in our society, and that we do not recognize them. We need to be open to social criticism and listen to those who feel there is a need for change. I feel nothing but the utmost respect for everyone of those children who could drop everything and just fearlessly go and flood the jails.

Also justin, I agree with you that the picture of the klansman with the police badge was pretty shocking. One wouldn't expect policemen to be so judgmental and be corrupt like that, but the racism was so strong that it reached into the police department. What that says about the nation is that we were desperately in need for a change. The only people that knew what was going on were the blacks, and even against all odds, they never gave up and even the children had enough pride to stand up for what they believe in.

Joe Covino said...

After seeing this movie for the second time, it left a much bigger impression on me. The first time I watched it I was mortified at the way the white people treated the African Americans in Birmingham, but after viewing it today in class, what stuck in my mind the most was the courage and heart that it took for the African American people to do what they did. It was amazing to hear the stories about the kids going to jail, especially the ones who would get arrested right after they left. One part of the film that really stuck in my head was when the firemen were spraying the hose on the kids and there were 10 of them who were all standing together singing. People who will fight for something and believe in something that much are the ones who will get what they want.

After reading the responses I would have to agree with Tony that seeing the scene where the man asked the little boy why he was in jail and he responded with "teedom" was simply amazing. It was great to see that people from all ages were partaking in the fight for freedom and that no matter the age, all the African Americans stood together as one to fight for what they believed in.

Elise Murphy said...

This film really opened my eyes to the horror and terror that actually went on during the civil rights movement. It is a lot different seeing a movie rather than just reading a packet because the visual adds to severity and ignorance of the time. The reality is that this actually happened and it is very disheartening to see people act so cruel and treat African Americans so inhumane and unequal. This film does with hold Sigmund Freud's theory of humans to be 'aggressive and self destructive'. This country seems to be about change and equality but for a long period of time barriers that kept everyone separated could not be broken down even with reform and renewing. However it was nice to see President John F. Kennedy stand above the violence and actually try to make a difference along with countless people. If one city is this bad then I honestly cannot even imagine what is going on around the country. While watching this film I was ashamed by what I saw. Even in 2009 people are still shocked and moved by a time period of lack of knowledge and lack of awareness towards equality and empathy. In reality this is what occurred and people can say whatever may be needed to lessen the severity of this time but when one sees a police officer committed entirely to a group that killed tons because of skin color it is ironic and sad to see.
Tony has some nice points about how is it possible that those who were trying to end crime and violence were contributing to the brutality. Seeing this somewhat takes you back and questions the integrity and authority of law enforcement.
The civil rights movement was something that was so new and huge but segregation is not something that America or the world hasnot seen before. Whether it was the Irish, Jewish, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, Italians, etc...when an ehtnicity or culture is introduced seperation begins. The civil rights movement was just the step in the right direction not only for African Americand but every culture and race, also including whites even if they did not want to admit it. If the violence did not occur and 5,000 children werenot arrested in Birmingham, AL then this counrty would never accept difference. This film shows the ignorance of some and the perseverance of others.

Mark Saver said...

Like Joe, I thought that it was incredible that a few thousand school children played such a huge role in creating a law against segregation. In the space of a few days, this event finally convinced JFK to create the legislation that would finally overturn the previous separate-but-equal laws. On the other hand, it was also surprising that all of the student's parents, who had lived in a segregated society and suffered from it for longer, did not do as much. After MLK was arrested and there was a call for protest, most people stayed home and tried to forget about it.

As Justin said, the fact that the police arrested all these students, especially with the example of the four year old, was shocking. Even after sending hundreds and then thousands to prison, they just continued to load more onto police cars and buses. In the same way, the firemen just kept using their hoses against the crowds without mercy.

Anonymous said...

This film really struck me hard, especially for a film that we had to watch early in the morning. I have felt lots of anger towards the whites and especially Bull Connor, as their ignorance blinded them and human rights in society. I have never felt so passionate about watching a film. I also felt very proud of those kids who bravely put themselves out there. The "secret weapon" really worked and they weren't afraid to show that they were willing to do anything for freedom. I found it quite funny that the kids would show up in bathing suits after a couple days of the fire hosing. Kids will be kids!

Anonymous said...

Mark, it's interesting you mentioned JFK. Many blacks knew JFK had little knowledge about the "true" southern part of the United States. However, the little kids were able to convince the president otherwise and concluded in JFK telling the nation that segregation has ended today. Like Mr.Gallagher once said, one person can make a difference, and these kids truly believed in that.

Anonymous said...

what I took away from this movie was that the youth were the secret weapon, they protested unexpectedly whole heartedly and with a powerful youthful energy. This movie had some shocking scenes in it as well which really made me pay attention to it. In the beginning of the movie not only did the black people have to fight against the white people, but they had to fight eachother, and themselves. The beginning of the film illustrated that well which I thought was interesting. Another part that stuck with me was when one woman was talking she said that the black people were mainly trying to make the white people aware of the pain/unfairness they inflict. That method was evolving into what caused the all those kids to protest. More was needed to make a difference.

I agree with what Tony said how the 4 year old in jail who wanted "teedom" really stood out. That part of the movie made me really think about the impact and the strength of this protest.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how people could be so cruel to other people who they think don't "fit" into society. Its unbelievable how the white police men unleashed the dogs onto little innocent kids who all they want is freedom. Many people were seriously injured by the white people. The white people also got injured when they couldn't control the water hoses. Its remarkable how all the black kids all went to jail so the protest wouldn't be violent.

Anonymous said...

It is hard to explain my feelings toward the white people in the film, because Justin has done a great job in his large entry. The two images he talks about really put into perspective what the blacks in Alabama needed to go through in order to make the impact they did. Another thing that stood out was just how ridiculous and far-fetched the idea of a white tank being driven by a know racist government official would be today. It is disgusting that back in the day this was accepted by anyone. The children protesting really showed the power of numbers, and what peaceful protest and good organization can do to make changes.

Katie said...

I had no idea that children were so involved in the civil rights movement. It really humbled me to think that ten-year-old kids believed in something so strongly that they were willing to go to jail for it. Going off of what Mike said, it's terrible that the policemen used the dogs and water hoses on the kids - I bet a lot of the kids went into the protest thinking that if they went to jail, they wouldn't be there long before they were let out, but what really struck me was that once they realized the graveness of the situation, they didn't give up. In some ways, I wish there was a cause like that today that I could be that passionate about.

Anonymous said...

I had seen this movie before. I think it was during history last year. This movie impacted me in a lot of ways. Cruelty makes me extremely upset; and racism makes me sick. Watching this movie again did just that. I was sick watching everything that they went through in Birmingham. However, I also got feelings of hope. I was so inspired by the youth who made such a big movement.

I completely agree with Alexa when she says that youth were the secret weapon.

Da Princess (Sammy) said...

I loved the film we watched today because it sent out a message. The kids being involved with the civil rights movement and winning their fight, showed that we all can make a difference, no matter what age you are. What touched me the most was the 4 year old in the jail cell. Many people would say a child that young doesn't understand what is going on and that is not true. A child that young can feel hatred towards them.
I also loved the scene when all the children went back the next day and some wore their bathing suits for the hose. Even though it was painful and I bet it was cold, they all stood strong. I know people are cruel but never would I imagine ADULTS being cruel to a bunch of innocent kids that was just asking for their freedom. How can you have the heart to aim towards their heads to knock them down.
What made it worst was that it became a game. They took their lunch breaks and went right back to doing what they were doing. They were just thinking about what they should do next and then putting it into action.

Tony:
The 10 kids standing was very meaningful. Although kids were being knocked down or running away hiding behind trees, those 10kids showed no matter what they are standing strong for what they came to fight for.

Anonymous said...

The film that was shown today was very powerful in my opinion. It showed how faithful blacks were in achieving their goals. They were all dedicated to a point that they would take physical abuse to show that they were not going to give up. It was a strong point they were trying to make. In the end, they were able to reach their goal.

Katie - I agree with you also, I had no clue that kids were that involved in the movement also. I was impressed that they were just as confident as most of the adults were. It truly is amazing that they were willing to do that.

Anonymous said...

i agree with strohsnitter, i am mortified by the way the whites treated the blacks in alabama. but as he said, that generation grew up to be what their parents wanted them to be, and their parents became what their parents wanted them to be and so on. i think that its not their fault that they were racist because they were just following what their parents told them, but it is however their fault for not realizing what they were doing was wrong and for not changing. personally i would honestly blame the europeans for starting slavery out of greed to make e-z money instead of making an honest living. but to get back to the point, what they did in alabama was definatly wrong, but they were just doing what they were told, kind of like the nazi's, alot of the german soldiers didn't want to exterminate jews, but they didnt want to die either if they didnt do what they were told; in the same way, there were alot people who didnt want to be racist, but if they did help the blacks, then they too would be hated by their own white community therefore putting them in the same conditions as the blacks. i garuntee you that no white wanted to be called a "negro lover" because that would make their life a living hell and they would probably get killed for it too, as seen throughout history. but the fact that the blacks didnt protest violently helps alot, because it's kind of like reverse psychology, if someone wants to go to jail, you dont just put them there because then your giving them what they want. and the whites didnt want to give them what they wanted, so they released them and finally gave in to their tactics and now everybody is equal because eventually someone is gonna get tired of "running the race" and stop to get a drink of water or pass out and think about why they are running the race. and eventually they will on their own come to realise what they are doing and stop it because it is getting them no where in the race, if they keep doing what they are doing, they wont lose, but they cant win either. thats how the british eventually left india. so its easy to say that the whites were wrong and point fingers, but when you understand the ideology behind why they did what they did, it gives you a better insight into their ideology, which gives you a better understanding of them, i'm not saying that what they did was right, but that i can understand why they did it, and i think that some times we forget to look at things from other perspectives which plays a key role as to why things were the way they were.

Anonymous said...

As I watched the movie it helped me understand the violence the African Americans took throughout the years. It helped me realize that we have come a long way as a nation. What caught my eye was when the three African American children were left standing in the middle when the hoes were pouring down on the as if to strip them of their pride and dignity. However that was not the case they remained standing and kept standing against what they believed was wrong. Even though we have come a long way I believe there is still room to improve against racism, although it is not as noticeable now in our modern day it still exists. I agree with Alexa the little boy stood out when he said "teedom" we all realized that even a small child understood what was going on, and such a little person can also make such a great impact.

Ryan Arnold said...

Strength in numbers. It doesnt matter the age or significace of who the people are, in numbers, you can over come anything. Thats what i got from this film. Iv been taught that whites were racist and treated black bad, so that wasnt much of a surprise, but it was the fact that a huge group of kids could do so much was the most stand out idea.