As you read about in Chapter 29.2, not everyone supported integration in schools. Read document #3, the excerpt from Gov. Ross Barnett's speech, and respond to this prompt as a person who was experiencing the civil rights movement firsthand.
PROMPT:
You have just watched the Governor’s speech justifying his refusal to allow James Meredith to attend Ole Miss (the
The Governer has no idea what he is talking about. All this child wants to do is learn. All he wants to obtain is a higher education. Meredith did not want to start any riot or initiate violence. This poor child is a great example to show how hatred can blind even political leaders. As a state, Mississippi should see how this is only a child. This is an African American child who wants to learn. Instead he is being scolded for standing up for himself and for his people. I think that federal government should get off of their behinds and actually react to such a negative statement, a Governor no less! With these type of people running states, no wonder segregation is so deep rooted in so many. I pray that the civil rights movement is able to release the blindfold over so many. I hope the civil rights movement personally talks to African Americans about this statement; an example of why segregation needs to be put to stop. I hope Meredith will be able to see one day that Black and White children are equal in education and life.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor is being unreasonable. Meredith has the opportunity to learn at a great University. He is scared that a black man will succeed. What is there to be afraid of? Success? I want success in my country. Although this specific case is taking place in Mississippi, the issues of segregating schools is almost everywhere in America. The federal government needs to act now and integrate. Bright African Americans are being denied a proper education. We need to protest and continue to fight for integration. We need to prove Governor Barnett wrong!
ReplyDelete-Suzanne
I am appalled that this Gov. Barnett is so closed mind as to not consider blacks as citizens of his state. He expects all citizen of his state to join him in his segregation plan. He has left out the thoughts of all African Americans and is truly an idiot. I believe this is a state issue because the governor is setting his state aside and allowing requesting that everyone in Mississippi join him to keep blacks out. The Federal Government should not allow this man to run a state government. Black should be slowly allowed into currently all white schools. It is not fair that just because we have dark skin, we are not allowed to go to the schools we want. The civil rights movement should bring attention to this and rally more non violent protestors to stand up for what we all believe.
ReplyDeleteThe Govenor was racist. The reason why it was necessary for the federal government to intervene in this situation was because the state powers were "all for" segregation, which obviously not the way we want it to be. If everone was blind in the world, no one would know whose black and whose white! that's why justice needs tobe blind also. We need respect and we need it now. We are equal to white people- the color of our skin shouldn't keep us from that.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor is pretty dumb and seems to be living in his own world. I just don't understand how he can say that this is a crisis, it's simply a young man enrolling in school. He needs to stop living in the past and realize that everyone was becoming equal in his days. I don't think it is a state issue and the federal government did the right thing by taking action and allowing James Meredith to enroll in the University of Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteThe governor’s speech makes no sense because he contradicts himself many times. The governor disrespectfully describes the black men and women of our society as "un-Americans.” The 13th Amendment states that the government is supposed to give citizenship for all people born in U.S. territories or land. The men and women born on this American soil are clearly American citizens regardless of race, religion, or skin color, so how can they be called "un-Americans?"
ReplyDeleteThis man also speaks garbage because he rants about principles. Governor Barnett defines his principles as a "a passion for truth and right and justice". The governor’s decision to prevent the integration of schools is unjust because he wants the black people to go to universities that are inferior to white universities. In a just society, black and white people should have the same and equal opportunity to attend a school, without segregation. Barnett's attempt to maintain segregated schools contradicts his own principles where there is righteousness and justice.
I strongly agree with Leah, Governor Ross had NO CLUE of what he is talking about. James Meredith only wanted a better education, he did not want to cause problems nor cause tension, and he just wanted to attend a school. This is a prime example of how discrimination was everywhere, instead of people praising him for wanting to better his education he was “beaten” by words to try and stop him. The governor is a coward, who is standing behind his title to try and defend his opinion. In my opinion the governor is making integration sound like a foreign war, “trouble makers are pouring across our borders”. They are not trouble makers they are black children citizens just like the white children born in the country. People like the governor, are the cause of an ignorant America, making blacks seem like they are the enemy, when in reality they just wanted to be treated like people since they were “property” for so long. I believe this is a state issue, because it affects all the states in the south. The federal government should sit back and look at the bigger picture, a kid, who just happens to be black wants to go to school, besides color what is the problem? –DIAMOND-
ReplyDeleteGovernor Barnett is racist. Dan makes a great point about citizenship. Although it's the 14th Amendment, it is against the Constitution to prohibit citizens of their rights, in this case the student's right to attend Ole Miss. He should be removed from office.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor has been fighting the Civil Rights movement right from the begining and now he is getting real heated because the Feds are taking action. He just is stubborn and doesn't want to see Mississippi change. He is in love with old Mississippi. But this is, unfortunatly for him, a federal issue and not a state one. If I were Meredith for my safety I would not attend the college but I love what he is doing and what it stands for.
ReplyDelete"Barnett's attempt to maintain segregated schools contradicts his own principles where there is righteousness and justice."-Dan
ReplyDeleteI tottaly agree with Dan. Shouldn't a Governor (of all people) not be the one to criticize his own self? I mean a principle is something you live by no matter what, obviously righteousness was not at the top of his list. Meredith needs an escoort into his own college! I mean a Governor should be willing to at least approve this action not try to enforce violence upon him and African Americans.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dan's statement about the governor contradicting himself. I think he just doesn't understand that if he believes in freedom and justice than he should also believe in desegregation. He needs to realize that if a black person wants to go to college than it is only right that he go to a good one, because their options are very limited.
ReplyDeleteThe governor's response is distasteful but not entirely unexpected. As we talked about in class, since Barnett is the governor of Mississippi, which is a Southern State, most people in this region were against integration so Governor Barnett's speech was exactly what these people wanted to hear. Even though the University of Mississippi is a state school people from all over the country most likely attend hence this is indeed a federal issue. Having said so, racial injustice isn't some small issue that can vary from state to state. Equality should be consistent throughout the nation. This is certainly one issue that should be addressed the same way in all states. The civil rights movement should not take the governor's words lightly. Instead they should take a stand against it and make it clear that such small minded opinions will no longer be tolerated.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with Governor Barnett. I find the points that he makes ignorant and cruel. His decisions are denying African American the rights they are born with and rights they are worthy of having. I believe that he is afraid of their success because he is aware of their potential and their power. He states, “Principles are a passion for truth and right and justice…” How are his views and decisions based on truth and justice? His strong desire to prevent integration instead shows the injustice in the system.
ReplyDeleteI am outraged by Barnett's speech. Him and Hitler i'm sure were good friends. Who in there right mind can say that there not allowing schools to be intergrated. James Meredith should be allowed into the university of missipi. An order from the federal government has to be followed and since governor Barnett is intending not to follow the governments orders, Barnett is just as well a criminal. I believe the federal government should go in and relieve the governor of his duty.
ReplyDeleteI belive what Dan has said. People born in America are American. There skin color should not determine of there not. Blacks and whites have the same physiology exceot for skin color. Therefore everyone is equally human and should be treated with respect.
ReplyDeleteI feel Governor Barnett is very arrogant and racist. He does not want to see an African American get a get education that is very well deserved. However he can not see passed the color of the person’s skin to see that this person has very high potential and should be given the rights of any other person no matter what the color of their skin. Barnett needs to realize that all people are equal and should have the same rights epically for educational purposes if they are well qualified for them.
ReplyDeleteGov. Barnett is a racist. He doesn’t want his schools integrated so he makes it sound like he is justifying the constitution in not letting James Meredith and the Fed. Government is not obeying the constitution. This is not a state issue this is defiantly and Government Issue if the state won’t let their schools be integrated then the Fed. Government should take responsibility and integrate the schools. The civil rights movement should keep fighting segregation and keep attempting to integrate school until all schools are integrated.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor has no idea what he is talking about. James Meredith has every right to attend the University of Mississippi and he has no right to stop it. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of segregation and he has no right to against such ruling. I cannot believe that he is making such a big deal out of nothing. He has no right to deny a student from attending a school and learning, especially if the only reason he is doing so is because of the persons race. It is sad that there are people who think this way and look to make things worse for people who are not doing anything wrong. I hope that the Civil Rights Movement continues to work to end such acts of blatant racism and i hope one day integration will no longer be an issue.
ReplyDeleteThe Governor is completely blind, and delirious. he is a horrible and racist governor. every child has the right to learn no matter the color of his/her skin, no matter the race. everyone has to be treated as equal. as the governor of Mississippi, he has to see that Meredith truly wants to learn. the governor and the supreme court are crazy. the supreme court voted for segregation, when it is unconstitutional for the supreme court to rule that. everything that was done to him was against the bill of rights. this governor is not thinking for what is best for America, he is only looking out for himself and others who think like him. we don't need people like him in office, we need open-minded governor that wont discriminate against the African American.
ReplyDeleteI totally disagree with everything Governor Barnett said in his meeting. His racist attitude and atmosphere do ot represent the true America: land of opportunities. He is very one-minded and i dont like the fact that he wont even consider the many opportunities and accomplishments this man could bring his town if he was given a proper and sufficient education. I dont like him.
ReplyDeletewhat the hell is all i can say to this outrage. In all my years i have never seen such a pile of right wing conservative crap. He should not make this a state issue, but rather a national issue. Is it not of everyperson to have a good education?The federal govt should make this a supreme court case.The civil rights movement should use this as a spearhead for their movement
ReplyDeleteGovernor Barnett is extremely racist. Its rediculous to deny an adolesent of an education. Every student should be given an equal right to learn no matter what the color of their skin. Many of these african american students have equal or higher potential than some of the white students, integrating the schools can only help the in the future.
ReplyDeleteI am a student of the University of Mississippi and I am thrilled that James Meredith was not accepted into my school. The world isn't ready for that colossal of a change and if James were to enroll, I am certain that he would get hurt. Our Governor, Ross Barnett is completely justified to interfere with this state matter of not granting admittance to this black man. I support Barnett in his efforts and I agree with him when he proclaims: "We must either submit to the unlawful dictates of the federal government or stand up like men and tell them no...They will never submit to the moral degradation, to the shame and the ruin which have faced all others who have lacked the courage to defend their beliefs." It is time to be brave and prevent wrong. It would be wrong to enroll James Meredith into the University. I join Barnett's cause.
ReplyDelete[still as student]
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe what Mike said! I completely disagree! Governor Barnett has the authority and power to deny someone entrance into a school. He is protecting James Meredith and the rest of the student body. Also- what gives you the right to say that we white students are less intellectual than those ignorant and nameless black students you write about? Integrating schools is NOT the answer and will NEVER help the future. We must keep the ways of society how they have always been and live in the comforting zone of familiarity.