This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
PERIOD 1 - THE CHILDREN'S MARCH
Today, you watched the documentary, The Children's March. Please post any thoughts you have about the film.
36 comments:
Alisa Raniuk
said...
The Children’s March film is really inspirational. It was ridiculously terrible and sad to watch what the whites did to the African Americans in Birmingham. As soon as they showed them taking out the hoses, I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. Those hoses have an insane amount of pressure and can break bones and be really harmful. Everything that was done to the African Americans was just not right and unfair. When those ten kids stayed there getting pummeled by the hose and chanting “freedom” over and over again, it made even more of an impact. I thought it was inspirational because the children saved America. They threw the whites a curve ball by sending themselves to jail willingly to speak up and show how they feel. It was crazy and inspiring to see how many kids were boycotting, singing “We Shall Overcome”, and not even being scared when getting arrested because they were happy and proud of what they were trying to accomplish.
The Childrens March film was very moving and inspiring. It showed the courage of African Americans and how they would do whatever it took to gain their freedom in America. The way that all African Americans came together for something that they all wanted to fight for was amazing. It was also moving to see the thousands of kids who were standing up for their rights and didnt care that they would be sent to jail because they wanted to be sent to jail. It is shocking to think that this happened not so long ago and that racism was that bad at one time in history.
I found The Children’s March to be very interesting. I think the fact that kids are willing to do something like a march even though they know they will get arrested is very inspirational. And the fact that they did it every day is even more amazing. It shocked me how even when something happened to a white man, like getting hit in the head with a fire hose, they didn’t stop. I can’t believe that people would go to such extensive measures in order to stop these people from marching for their freedom. I thought it was ironic how the whites thought the blacks were causing such problems, when they were simply walking and singing. The really chaos didn’t start until the whites started retaliating against the blacks. I think that if thousands of black children can make such an impact on something, anyone could, if they tried hard enough and never gave up.
I agree with Krystle when she says that it is shocking that this did not happen to long ago. There is still racism today, but I could not imagine what America would be like if we were still segregated today. Our school would not be as diverse as it is today, and we not have Obama as president. And a lot of people would have different friends, and only friends of their race.
I'm so glad that we watched this film in class but just like all Civil Rights videos, it was very disturbing and sad. It disguists me to see things like this happening to American citizens, but I do agree that it's extremely important for all people who are born in this generation to learn about it. I have learned about it so many times, but it never ceases to affect me.
I agree with Alisa's comment about the song "We Shall Overcome" because it's so inspirational. It's so admirable that the African Americans of this time period were so hopeful and determined because without them, I don't know where we would be today.
I thought this film was amazing. I never knew the specifics of this particular part of the civil rights movement. I knew that there was a big protest in Burmingham Alabama, but I never knew that the protesters themselves were mostly young kids. I think it was fantastic that so many people showed up to peacefully protest against segregation. Specifically I thought that when the small group of 10 or 12 kids held their ground against the fire hoses, it was very moving and inspirational. It really showed the perseverance of those people. Them being children just amplifies it even more. I also loved how they started wearing bathing suits and brought soap when they got sprayed by the hoses. I thought that was a great way of saying, "we don't care what you do, we are not going anywhere". Overall the movie was just great.
I am surprised the protests remained nonviolent in Birmingham. I would not be able to peacefully be sprayed by water hoses. If my rights were taken away and I treated as an infestation then singing would be the last thing on my mind. When the streams of people started laving the church singing I got goose-bumps. I never would have thought to fill the jails or that it would actually work. It worked because children had the courage to leave their families and stand up to unyielding police, firemen and the Klan. The Klan is scary to me even though they disbanded and wouldn't target me. I can't even fathom how those children and parents would have thought about that.
I agree with Alisa that the ten kids standing alone chanting freedom really made a statement. They could have retreated with everyone else and the outcome of the entire event wouldn't change but they stayed. The ten kids were aware that what they were doing was dangerous but they did it anyway. Bull Conner would most likely not leave the safety of his tank and put himself in harm's way for the price of his freedom.
The Children's March documentary was so inspiring and jaw dropping. The African American children were so inspiring to watch them go out in rounds of fifties to get arrested. My jaw dropped when the whites started to use the fire hoses on them as well as when they brought out the dogs. It was awful to that happen to the African American children. As I was watching this I was thinking how could they have that much hate towards blacks that they would let dogs bit them and blow very high pressure water on them, I could not believe my eyes. But when I saw that the African American children started singing and playing in the water from the hose I smiled. It showed you can over come anything if you believe in the cause hard enough which those children did. I was happy that they succeeded in there mission after all there determination.
I thought the documentary was very powerful. I liked how we got the input from people who were actually a part of the March. It was inspirational, and I think that they definitely did make an impact on a large scale (getting Kennedy's attention and everything). It's hard to think how horrible Birmingham was not to long ago. The sad thing is there are still white supremacists, but not even they could stand against the children. I think the March was incredible, and I honestly cannot imagine anything like that happening today.
I agree with Bram when he says that at times, the film put a smile on his face. When it showed African Americans singing songs like "we shall overcome" and playing in the water being brought upon them by the hoses, it shows how you can achieve anything you want. And these kids, made a HUGE mark in history and caused desegregation in the United States. How could you not smile after what these kids (some under the age of 10) accomplished? They changed the U.S. from that point on.
I really enjoyed watching the film today in class; I think it is ridiculous how awful segregation was in the country. It was very emotional to realize that these actions actually happened in real life. It was unfair that the African Americans were treated as harshly as they were, and I am glad this does not happen today.
I agree with Lyndsie because I found this disturbing and sad like she did. I was disgusted when watching it, but I think that this topic is something that everyone should have to learn about because it was important in shaping our country. I get emotional every time I see videos on this matter.
Having watched this film I have a better perspective on how badly the blacks were actually treated. This film made me angry at how ignorant we as a country were and it also made it clear how far we have actually come since then. I also think that this had to happen for stuff to change in the U.S. but it could have been handled differently by the government.
I agree with bram..it was very inspirational to see that they stuck together and they over came all the odds to catch the attention of the whole country
I think the film did a great job of displaying the courage of the children in the face of adversity and I found that to be amazing and inspiring. It blew my mind to learn that the police in Birmingham arrested over 5000 children. Also, I think it was a dangerous idea to use the children but at the same time rather ingenious because it would garner more sympathy to see such atrocities committed against kids.
I was shocked to find out how many children were willing to fight for their rights and the extents they were willing to go to to gain those rights. However, what impressed me the most was the impact those children had on the civil rights movement. They won the most influential city in the south!Without them Birmingham stands strong for years to come.
I agree with Krystle A. this film was very inspiration because it showed that the children were willing to be arrested if it meant standing up for what they believed in.
I really liked this film. I thought it was strange how we've all learned something about Martian Luther King Jr. and him getting arrested in Birmingham, but I can't remember ever learning anything about the children's march. I also liked how the film used a combination of footage from the actual event plus reenacted footage. It made for a much more powerful film.
I thought this film was extremely powerful, the footage especially. Seeing so many people march for the same cause was so inspirational to watch. The fact that young children were willingly going against the law and taking the risk of being put into jail, separated from their families, shows just how important equal rights were to them and the extents to which they were willing to go to to get equal rights. I particularly enjoyed the featured speakers that were in the film. Their commentary was extremely effective because it gave the viewers a more in touch look at the events in the film. It gave a more personal relationship between the viewers and what was going on in the film because it was being told by someone who actually experienced it.
I agree with Ashley. We said a lot of the same things about this film. I also cannot believe that this atrocity took place not too long ago. Whenever I think of instances like this occurring, I always assume they happened a lot longer ago than they actually did.
I agree with dean. I never knew the specifics of this event either and now I'm glad I do because it makes everything I've learned make more sense. I also never knew this was done by children until this video. After the video, the images of the whole thing stayed in my head because that's how inspirational it is. I am also glad we watched this, even though it's ridiculously sad, because it expanded my knowledge on the subject. I wish more teachers showed videos like this because it truely makes more of an impact and explains what happened better because we got to hear from people who experienced it.
The Children's March was an inspirational film. It was truly amazing to see thousands of people marching on the streets to support their rights that should have been granted to them in the Constitution, but were not because of their skin color. Every single child that marched was a hero, and the only way it was able to happen was from individuals rising up and joining together to make a much needed change. I loved the attitudes of all the kids, they were determined and serious but still kept their spirits high, saying things like "oh we'll just have to party IN jail", and some even wore swimsuits when the guards brought out the hoses. I also agree with Dean about the amazing scene with the kids singing, holding hands, and withstanding the hoses. Seeing this film also made me grateful that I don't live in a society today where being exactly the same as one another is ideal, or at least it doesn't feel that way. I love anything involving civil rights but this film was particularly powerful.
I thought the Children’s March was a very interesting film. It was an eye-opener, because I knew that there was racism and violence in the south, but I actually saw the extent to which this was true from the film. I thought it was amazing how white people went to such great lengths to stop the black people, for example, they tried to stop the march by using water hoses. I also thought it was intriguing that all of those black children stood up for what they believed in, equal rights, even though they knew they would be arrested. It was cool to see how so many black people came together for the same cause in order to fight for what they wanted.
I agree with Missy when she says that it is ironic how whites thought blacks were causing problems, when in reality they were nonviolently walking and singing. The whites retaliated to the situation, and that is when the violence and conflict arose. I also agree that it is astonishing how the black people never gave up, they stood up for what they believed in at all costs.
I thought this film was inspiring. To see them accomplish their goal by non-violent protest was a great accomplishment because the whites wanted them to be violent and thats exactly what they didn't do.
I agree with Marissa Welch when she said that even though the kids knew that they were going to get arrested, they still marched. Also, when they started using the fire hose, the kids acted like they were playing in the water and enjoying it instead of acting like it hurt them.
I thought that "The Children's March" was very inspirational. I thought that it was very brave for over one thousand kids to voluntarily go to jail in order for them to make a point which in turn was one step closer to granting them their freedom. I couldn't believe some of the things that the police were doing to the African Americans; spraying them with fire hoses, having dogs attack them, or just beating them until they were unconcious. Overall, it was a very courageous and heroic thing for these kids to do, and it clearly made a huge impact on their lives and the lives of others.
The childrens march was a film that really open'd my eyes to show me how hard african americans fought for their rights even though it caused them to suffer great pain and much effort. i thought it was amazing how the people that really made a difference in the video were not the adults, but the thousands of children who willingly got arrested.
I believe that this film was very inspirational to watch because it showed the struggle and battles african americans had to deal with to fight for their rights during these times. i also think its a great film to watch because it shows how the children really came together to make a change.
I agree with Lyndsie with the fact that watching how poorly african americans were treated during these times but very important for us to watch and observe because its a big piece of history that we should know about
I thought the Childrens March was a great film beacuse it shows that no matter who you are you can stand up and fight for your own rights and i was impressed how they did it
36 comments:
The Children’s March film is really inspirational. It was ridiculously terrible and sad to watch what the whites did to the African Americans in Birmingham. As soon as they showed them taking out the hoses, I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. Those hoses have an insane amount of pressure and can break bones and be really harmful. Everything that was done to the African Americans was just not right and unfair. When those ten kids stayed there getting pummeled by the hose and chanting “freedom” over and over again, it made even more of an impact. I thought it was inspirational because the children saved America. They threw the whites a curve ball by sending themselves to jail willingly to speak up and show how they feel. It was crazy and inspiring to see how many kids were boycotting, singing “We Shall Overcome”, and not even being scared when getting arrested because they were happy and proud of what they were trying to accomplish.
The Childrens March film was very moving and inspiring. It showed the courage of African Americans and how they would do whatever it took to gain their freedom in America. The way that all African Americans came together for something that they all wanted to fight for was amazing. It was also moving to see the thousands of kids who were standing up for their rights and didnt care that they would be sent to jail because they wanted to be sent to jail. It is shocking to think that this happened not so long ago and that racism was that bad at one time in history.
I found The Children’s March to be very interesting. I think the fact that kids are willing to do something like a march even though they know they will get arrested is very inspirational. And the fact that they did it every day is even more amazing. It shocked me how even when something happened to a white man, like getting hit in the head with a fire hose, they didn’t stop. I can’t believe that people would go to such extensive measures in order to stop these people from marching for their freedom. I thought it was ironic how the whites thought the blacks were causing such problems, when they were simply walking and singing. The really chaos didn’t start until the whites started retaliating against the blacks. I think that if thousands of black children can make such an impact on something, anyone could, if they tried hard enough and never gave up.
I agree with Krystle when she says that it is shocking that this did not happen to long ago. There is still racism today, but I could not imagine what America would be like if we were still segregated today. Our school would not be as diverse as it is today, and we not have Obama as president. And a lot of people would have different friends, and only friends of their race.
I'm so glad that we watched this film in class but just like all Civil Rights videos, it was very disturbing and sad. It disguists me to see things like this happening to American citizens, but I do agree that it's extremely important for all people who are born in this generation to learn about it. I have learned about it so many times, but it never ceases to affect me.
I agree with Alisa's comment about the song "We Shall Overcome" because it's so inspirational. It's so admirable that the African Americans of this time period were so hopeful and determined because without them, I don't know where we would be today.
I thought this film was amazing. I never knew the specifics of this particular part of the civil rights movement. I knew that there was a big protest in Burmingham Alabama, but I never knew that the protesters themselves were mostly young kids. I think it was fantastic that so many people showed up to peacefully protest against segregation. Specifically I thought that when the small group of 10 or 12 kids held their ground against the fire hoses, it was very moving and inspirational. It really showed the perseverance of those people. Them being children just amplifies it even more. I also loved how they started wearing bathing suits and brought soap when they got sprayed by the hoses. I thought that was a great way of saying, "we don't care what you do, we are not going anywhere". Overall the movie was just great.
I am surprised the protests remained nonviolent in Birmingham. I would not be able to peacefully be sprayed by water hoses. If my rights were taken away and I treated as an infestation then singing would be the last thing on my mind. When the streams of people started laving the church singing I got goose-bumps. I never would have thought to fill the jails or that it would actually work. It worked because children had the courage to leave their families and stand up to unyielding police, firemen and the Klan. The Klan is scary to me even though they disbanded and wouldn't target me. I can't even fathom how those children and parents would have thought about that.
I agree with Alisa that the ten kids standing alone chanting freedom really made a statement. They could have retreated with everyone else and the outcome of the entire event wouldn't change but they stayed. The ten kids were aware that what they were doing was dangerous but they did it anyway. Bull Conner would most likely not leave the safety of his tank and put himself in harm's way for the price of his freedom.
The Children's March documentary was so inspiring and jaw dropping. The African American children were so inspiring to watch them go out in rounds of fifties to get arrested. My jaw dropped when the whites started to use the fire hoses on them as well as when they brought out the dogs. It was awful to that happen to the African American children. As I was watching this I was thinking how could they have that much hate towards blacks that they would let dogs bit them and blow very high pressure water on them, I could not believe my eyes. But when I saw that the African American children started singing and playing in the water from the hose I smiled. It showed you can over come anything if you believe in the cause hard enough which those children did. I was happy that they succeeded in there mission after all there determination.
I thought the documentary was very powerful. I liked how we got the input from people who were actually a part of the March. It was inspirational, and I think that they definitely did make an impact on a large scale (getting Kennedy's attention and everything). It's hard to think how horrible Birmingham was not to long ago. The sad thing is there are still white supremacists, but not even they could stand against the children. I think the March was incredible, and I honestly cannot imagine anything like that happening today.
I agree with Bram when he says that at times, the film put a smile on his face. When it showed African Americans singing songs like "we shall overcome" and playing in the water being brought upon them by the hoses, it shows how you can achieve anything you want. And these kids, made a HUGE mark in history and caused desegregation in the United States. How could you not smile after what these kids (some under the age of 10) accomplished? They changed the U.S. from that point on.
I really enjoyed watching the film today in class; I think it is ridiculous how awful segregation was in the country. It was very emotional to realize that these actions actually happened in real life. It was unfair that the African Americans were treated as harshly as they were, and I am glad this does not happen today.
I agree with Lyndsie because I found this disturbing and sad like she did. I was disgusted when watching it, but I think that this topic is something that everyone should have to learn about because it was important in shaping our country. I get emotional every time I see videos on this matter.
I was unfortunately late to school and therefore absent for this video.
Having watched this film I have a better perspective on how badly the blacks were actually treated. This film made me angry at how ignorant we as a country were and it also made it clear how far we have actually come since then. I also think that this had to happen for stuff to change in the U.S. but it could have been handled differently by the government.
I agree with bram..it was very inspirational to see that they stuck together and they over came all the odds to catch the attention of the whole country
I think the film did a great job of displaying the courage of the children in the face of adversity and I found that to be amazing and inspiring. It blew my mind to learn that the police in Birmingham arrested over 5000 children. Also, I think it was a dangerous idea to use the children but at the same time rather ingenious because it would garner more sympathy to see such atrocities committed against kids.
I was shocked to find out how many children were willing to fight for their rights and the extents they were willing to go to to gain those rights. However, what impressed me the most was the impact those children had on the civil rights movement. They won the most influential city in the south!Without them Birmingham stands strong for years to come.
I agree with Krystle A. this film was very inspiration because it showed that the children were willing to be arrested if it meant standing up for what they believed in.
I really liked this film. I thought it was strange how we've all learned something about Martian Luther King Jr. and him getting arrested in Birmingham, but I can't remember ever learning anything about the children's march. I also liked how the film used a combination of footage from the actual event plus reenacted footage. It made for a much more powerful film.
I thought this film was extremely powerful, the footage especially. Seeing so many people march for the same cause was so inspirational to watch. The fact that young children were willingly going against the law and taking the risk of being put into jail, separated from their families, shows just how important equal rights were to them and the extents to which they were willing to go to to get equal rights. I particularly enjoyed the featured speakers that were in the film. Their commentary was extremely effective because it gave the viewers a more in touch look at the events in the film. It gave a more personal relationship between the viewers and what was going on in the film because it was being told by someone who actually experienced it.
I agree with Ashley. We said a lot of the same things about this film. I also cannot believe that this atrocity took place not too long ago. Whenever I think of instances like this occurring, I always assume they happened a lot longer ago than they actually did.
I agree with dean. I never knew the specifics of this event either and now I'm glad I do because it makes everything I've learned make more sense. I also never knew this was done by children until this video. After the video, the images of the whole thing stayed in my head because that's how inspirational it is. I am also glad we watched this, even though it's ridiculously sad, because it expanded my knowledge on the subject. I wish more teachers showed videos like this because it truely makes more of an impact and explains what happened better because we got to hear from people who experienced it.
The Children's March was an inspirational film. It was truly amazing to see thousands of people marching on the streets to support their rights that should have been granted to them in the Constitution, but were not because of their skin color. Every single child that marched was a hero, and the only way it was able to happen was from individuals rising up and joining together to make a much needed change. I loved the attitudes of all the kids, they were determined and serious but still kept their spirits high, saying things like "oh we'll just have to party IN jail", and some even wore swimsuits when the guards brought out the hoses. I also agree with Dean about the amazing scene with the kids singing, holding hands, and withstanding the hoses. Seeing this film also made me grateful that I don't live in a society today where being exactly the same as one another is ideal, or at least it doesn't feel that way. I love anything involving civil rights but this film was particularly powerful.
I thought the Children’s March was a very interesting film. It was an eye-opener, because I knew that there was racism and violence in the south, but I actually saw the extent to which this was true from the film. I thought it was amazing how white people went to such great lengths to stop the black people, for example, they tried to stop the march by using water hoses. I also thought it was intriguing that all of those black children stood up for what they believed in, equal rights, even though they knew they would be arrested. It was cool to see how so many black people came together for the same cause in order to fight for what they wanted.
I agree with Missy when she says that it is ironic how whites thought blacks were causing problems, when in reality they were nonviolently walking and singing. The whites retaliated to the situation, and that is when the violence and conflict arose. I also agree that it is astonishing how the black people never gave up, they stood up for what they believed in at all costs.
I thought this film was inspiring. To see them accomplish their goal by non-violent protest was a great accomplishment because the whites wanted them to be violent and thats exactly what they didn't do.
I agree with Marissa Welch when she said that even though the kids knew that they were going to get arrested, they still marched. Also, when they started using the fire hose, the kids acted like they were playing in the water and enjoying it instead of acting like it hurt them.
I thought that "The Children's March" was very inspirational. I thought that it was very brave for over one thousand kids to voluntarily go to jail in order for them to make a point which in turn was one step closer to granting them their freedom. I couldn't believe some of the things that the police were doing to the African Americans; spraying them with fire hoses, having dogs attack them, or just beating them until they were unconcious. Overall, it was a very courageous and heroic thing for these kids to do, and it clearly made a huge impact on their lives and the lives of others.
The childrens march was a film that really open'd my eyes to show me how hard african americans fought for their rights even though it caused them to suffer great pain and much effort. i thought it was amazing how the people that really made a difference in the video were not the adults, but the thousands of children who willingly got arrested.
I believe that this film was very inspirational to watch because it showed the struggle and battles african americans had to deal with to fight for their rights during these times. i also think its a great film to watch because it shows how the children really came together to make a change.
I agree with Lyndsie with the fact that watching how poorly african americans were treated during these times but very important for us to watch and observe because its a big piece of history that we should know about
I thought the Childrens March was a great film beacuse it shows that no matter who you are you can stand up and fight for your own rights and i was impressed how they did it
I agree with Marissa on that fact that it was inspirational how they knew they would be arrested but they didn't care
I was absent.
I was absent that day.
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