Centers: Between the World and Me

This poem is very sad, and an awakening to the horrible racism that had gripped America for years. The person in the story suffered a horrible death, and was lynched because he was black. It is very sad that people died in this way in our own country, the land of the free. To come upon something like this in the woods would be a horrible experience, and the person who was tarred and feathered, and then burned at the stake, was still there in spirit. I feel horrible that this was once the way our country was, and wish that this part of history had never happened. After all, everyone is created equal, and everyone is just as good as the next person.

Centers: Granddaughter’s Sled

This story is very inspiring. Even though it was not the custom in her village, the little girl chose to value her grandfathers life, and when she said that someday, her father would be left out for the wolves also, her father realized how cruel it was. When the old man then saved the villagers from certain death, the other people realized this too. The little girl knew that it wasn’t right to get rid of someone just because they were old, because the elderly carry the wisdom. And because of her, the village was saved.

Centers: Water Fountains

This picture shows the horrible truth of segregation in America. People said that the “white” and “colored” water fountains, bathrooms, and any other public facility were just separate but equal. These were not equal. The blacks had to endure horrible sanitary conditions, and in places such as movie theaters, they had no air conditioning, but the whites’ movie theaters did. These are the things that helped to start the civil rights movement, which was a good thing, and ended segregation. The people who stood up against segregation really were heroes.

Centers: Separate Entrances

Having separate entrances was also one of the conditions of segregation. It was very unfair and unequal, and the entrances labeled “colored” were always in worse condition than their white counterparts. It was as if the racists were trying to make a point. “You are African-American, and since you aren’t as good as us, your entrances won’t be either.” This is horrible, and thanks to people like Martin Luther King, Jr., this is no longer the case.

Centers: Rosewood

The events that transpired at Rosewood were horrific. It goes to show that many whites were so racist that they would make up and excuse to go lynch people, and the government didn’t do anything about it. The government didn’t follow its own laws, and that should never be acceptable, especially when peoples lives are in danger. It’s a good thing that the descendents and survivors of Rosewood sued the state of Florida for failing to protect them. If people and even states aren’t held accountable for their actions, then others will start to think that it’s okay, and it isn’t.

Centers: Simon Wiesenthal

Simon Wiesenthal was an amazing man. He was captured twice, and faced certain death, but with incredible luck managed to escape his fate. He and his wife both survived the Nazi’s, but millions of others didn’t. It is amazing that after the terrors he had faced at the hands of these evil Nazi’s he still wanted to have anything to do with them. But he recognized that these horrible men were still out there, and were not being held accountable. By dedicating his life to finding and bringing justice to these Nazi fugitives, he has brought even more attention to their misdeeds, and reinforced many times over that what they did was wrong, and never was right.

Centers: Culture Background of the Times

The forties were a glamorous time in the movie and music scenes. Many of today’s icons go their start during this time period. Charlie Chaplin was a super star, and he got everyone to follow him and love him. He also paved the way for many others like him. Shirley Temple was also very popular, and adored by the public. Many of the stars of this time were helped by the Depression, because they offered people an escape from the harsh reality of their lives and futures. These icons really helped keep the country from falling apart, and are still remembered today.

Centers: Field Pic

These people were in a very hard situation. This is the time when the Dust Bowl hit the Great Plains. The people were already losing hope as the economy failed, and now the horrible agriculture was making things worse. It was the determined farmers, like the ones in the picture, who kept trying, that helped hold the country together when it was ripping at the seams. The future seemed grim, but without a hope today, there would be no hope for tomorrow. The most of the farmers made it through, but others left for the city. Either way, their lives got better at some point, and that’s what really mattered.

Centers: Dorothea Lange Tent Pic

This picture is very sad, but also very inspiring. It shows that the single mother in the picture has had to resort to living in a tent with her four children, and all they have is a rocking chair, a crate, two trunks, and each other. But it also shows that even though times were really tough, she didn’t give up, and she remembered how important her family was. Some people would have run away, or left, but she stood strong with her children, in hopes that someday, things would get better. And thankfully, with a lot of work, they did.

Centers: We Cater to White Trade

This picture is very angering. It shows a restaurant in Ohio that advertises that blacks are not welcome. This is horrible, and very unfair. I do not understand why people would do this. It doesn’t make any sense, and it is also bad for business. You could make more money if you catered t both races. It also shows that people can get so wrapped up in their traditions that they can forget to see the world in their own way. The people who own this restaurant probably didn’t come to the conclusion that African-Americans are inferior to whites on their own. They were probably taught that since childhood, and were never taught to open up and see that everyone deserves the same treatment.