Reaping the Whirlwind: The Civil Rights Movement in Tuskegee

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When a person, who is a citizen of this country, thinks about civil rights, they often they about the Civil Rights Movement which took place in this nation during mid 11950s and primarily through the 1960s. They think about the marches, sit-ins, boycotts, and other demonstrations that took place during that period. They also think about influential people during that period such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, John Lewis, Rosa parks, and other people who made contributions during that movement which change the course of society's was of life in America. In some people view, the Civil Rights Movement began when the Supreme Court rendered their decision in Brown vs. Education, or when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Bus and the Montgomery Bus-Boycott began. However, the Civil Rights Movement had already begun in several cities in the South. This was the case for the citizens of African descent of the city of Tuskegee. In his book, Reaping the Whirlwind: The Civil Rights Movement in Tuskegee, Robert James Norrell clearly points out that the Negro citizens of Tuskegee had begun to fight for their Civil Rights in 1870. By reading this book, one could infer that his purpose for writing it would be to inform his readers how the Negro Citizens of the City of Tuskegee gained their right as citizens in which they were entitled to enjoy. He particularly emphasized how they would demand for their right to vote as it is spelled out in the Constitution of this great nation. He also tells the story about power. How whites tried to keep control of their society and blacks kept seeking more independence. The subject of the book was how black votes could change the way of living in a community that was accustom to white supremacy. It focused on people who were a threat to whites being in control. Anybody who tried to change the way of living in the interests of whites of that time in the Tuskegee was considered a threat to their society. Primary questions and issues that were raised were why could not the Negro citizen's of the Tuskegee community enjoy the rights that the Constitution of the United States had given them to enjoy. It was because the heartiness of whites who who lived during that time who could not accept the fact that Negroes are no longer considered to be property. ... ... middle of paper ... ...skegee Institute at that time, thought it was a great idea to because it would afford much professional opportunities for blacks in Macon County. Moton wanted an all black administration but would settle for a white chief administrator if he were of northern origin. Both money and power were the issues in the Veterans Administration hospital controversy. A white man who said pointed out another issue, "if niggers are put at the head of this hospital, they'll be responsible only to the United States and we don't want and we don't want any niggers in Alabama we can't control." (p. 28). Thus saying that whatever blacks do whites should have some kind of control in essence is still a form of slavery. This had much strength and few weaknesses. The author obtains most of his research from citizens of the Tuskegee community, library and other supporters. It was a great influence and was a contribution to my knowledge of Southern Politics as it depicts a vivid picture how society as a whole was viewed at that time. It showed me how whites kept blacks out of political offices, kept them from voting, and from enjoying their rights as humans.

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