EOTO Reflection

                               EOTO Reflection on Reactionary Era

In class, we were able to attend and participate in a mock trial. However to really understand the time period and to ensure the accuracy of the trial it is important to engage in an EOTO. An EOTO is a presentation of positive and negative events that were occurring during the time period of the trial. It helps the class examine what life was like for the people during this era. 

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones

During the negative events of the reactionary era, I was able to learn more about segregated country clubs, and the national golf club. I found it extremely sad that racism and prejudice existed when trying to get into country clubs and golf tournaments. I knew there was a high level of elitism at country clubs, however, I did not know they were invite-only during this time. Since they were invited only and white people were members they only invited the same skin color as them, giving in to the racism. I was also shocked to find out women were only allowed in golf tournaments in 2012.  

    Picture from Segerated Country Club EOTO presentation:

https://www.nps.gov/gis/storymaps/cascade/v1/index.html?appid=a2e315494beb47d4bbbad369ae8e7ff3

However, there were a lot of positive events during the time period too. I learned that a lot of Television shows like, All in the family, started to air.  This was groundbreaking for the time period because it talked about the serious issue of racism and showed the world in a funny way the issues going on in the world and why change needed to occur. Another positive was that universities started accepting more people of color into school. This provided people of color the chance to be educated and break out of the trends of poverty. This change also allowed for schools to have more diversity and bring different cultures and mindsets into the education system.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/03/how-all-family-changed-american-tv-forever/618353/

I learned an abundant amount of information from this EOTO and found myself leaving the EOTO with a lot of useful information surrounding the era. I also really enjoyed learning from the point of view of topics my peers picked, and what they wanted to learn more about. The reactionary era was a time of change in the right direction to end racism, however, the fight is not over and there were still a lot of devastating events that occurred in this time period.

                                                 Picture from EOTO:

https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/segregation-era.html

FINAL POST

                                          Final Key Blog Post

Blogging is a phenomenal way for citizens to utilize their first amendment right of freedom of speech. It provides a unique environment for people to share a plethora of ideas, thoughts, and beliefs on any topic. Blogging can be done in a casual sense, regarding daily life issues, or to advocate for certain goals or beliefs. Recently, I have been pondering how Martin Luther King would utilize this modern platform and how he would spread his beliefs through the internet. 

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1964/king/biographical/

I believe that Martin Luther King would use his blog to educate others and spread awareness regarding racism in the United States. He would have the ability to advocate for the injustices faced by people of color, along with his goal to eliminate discrimination. I believe a crucial aspect of his blogs would involve sharing real stories, events, and his raw vulnerability to make a change in the world. 

https://fivechannels.com/blogging-awareness-campaigns-increase-offer/

 

I blog in class mostly about mock trials and ongoing issues; however, I am aware that my target audience is my professor and peers. With the following Martin Luther King has, his ideas would be rapidly spread throughout the United States and have the ability to truly influence the way many people think about segregation and racism. One way could be through spreading the dates of non-violent protests along with write-ups of his speeches so that more people can become aware and involved in these pivotal events.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/understand-martin-luther-king-jr-don-t-rely-highlights-reel-n1118821

I find it quite unsettling that despite the number of protests and actions taken to eliminate segregation, many people were not in favor of ending it. If people who disagreed with King’s mission saw his blog posts regarding protest dates, more violence may break out. I believe the protest at the capital was a similar situation and it goes to show that not everyone will support the same mission which will certainly create animosity. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957417419307043

 

Martin Luther King has left a dramatic impact on the modern world and I believe if he had the power to share his ideas on a global scale, change would have occurred sooner. In today’s society, many people have the phrase, “black lives matter”, in their profiles. Although a simple phrase, it has sparked a substantial uproar of people supporting the black lives matter movement. If King had the ability to start an internet revolution and get other influential voices to support his mission, I believe change would have occurred more dramatically and rapidly. 

https://vanderbilthustler.com/32553/featured/a-breakdown-of-the-anti-racism-instagram-stories-on-your-feed/

I found the most difficult aspect of blogging to be learning how to use the software. I had never created a blog before and was unsure of how to even create a page. I now believe creating a blog is a crucial skill to learn; especially because I am undecided on my major, I think it is a great skill to learn. As the semester comes to a close, I can confidently say that I have enjoyed creating blog posts and have acquired an abonnement amount of skills that can be used to create another blog in future classes or in the workforce. I am beyond grateful to have had this experience to express and share my ideas in a blog environment and look forward to continuing it in the future. 

https://exploristic.com/start-blog-guide-blogging-beginners

 

To all future students, I would highly recommend keeping a calendar of due dates in order to stay on task and manage all of the blog posts. Since they are assigned a week in advance, it is crucial to stay on top of your workload to avoid becoming overwhelmed. I have found it beneficial to keep a sticky note on my computer with important due dates and carry around an agenda with the same information. I would also recommend asking questions in order to truly grasp the concept of blogging and learn all of the skills necessary. 

https://hollydfritz.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/5-ps-of-time-management/

I prefer submitting my work on blogger rather than blackboard because I think it is a creative and inspiring way to view all of my hard work in one spot. Through submitting my work on blogger, I am also gaining more experience with the software and thus growing my blogging skills. I will truly miss this class and the intellectual conversations we have on such crucial ongoing topics. Thank you all for a great semester!

https://giannacioci.blogspot.com/

Mock Trial- Key Post

                                  Mock Trial: Board of Regents vs Bakke

In class, we were able to accurately participate in a mock trial. The trial was on the 1978 case of the Board of Regents vs Bakke. Bakke was a white student who was suing the school because of their use of racial quotas in the admission process. He believes he was more qualified than other students and that under the 14th amendment, racial quotas are unjust and that he should have been admitted. 

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1979/76-811

I was a lawyer on the side of the university arguing the fact that racial quotas in the admission process are extremely conditional and benefit the school and society as a whole. I argued the case from the angle of ethics and morals.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/3839251/

Then I argued that morals can be defined as principles of what is right and wrong and the goodness of human behaviors in society. Morally the university believes it should not end its affirmative action process by admitting students that will support the culture of the university. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/affirmative_action

The court could hear that I explained to the courtroom that morally everyone should be granted a fair fight in the education system. It is also vital t to the university to have a diverse classroom to bring all cultures, ideas, and beliefs into the education system. 

http://civilrightsmovement.blogs.wm.edu/category/regents-of-the-university-of-california-v-bakke-1978/

I made an exceedingly important point that African Americans have had their fair share of hardships in society through the trauma they and their families have endured through slavery.  They have gone countless years without education or the opportunity to go attend college. I explained to the court that we are all born God's children and having affirmative action in the college process ensures that all races have a fair chance in the education system.

https://sites.psu.edu/calliefreenock/2016/02/10/regents-of-the-university-of-california-v-bakke/

I used a quote from Proverbs16:16 that states that having wisdom and understanding is better than having silver or gold; in order to have a source for the courtroom to hear and relate to. 

https://dailyverses.net/proverbs/16/16/kjv

In conclusion, I wrapped up the case with a summary of all the main takeaway points as followed. We are all born god’s children and should all have the same opportunity in society to succeed in life through going to college. Slavery put a pause on African American citizens’ rights to attend college. Affirmative action is now in place to make sure that everyone has the same right to success. Ethically it would be unjust to not grant education to all and to not help those who have not received education in the past, get a stellar education. It is morally unjust to judge someone on the color of their skin rather than their qualifications. Everyone enrolled in this school has the willpower and opportunity to grow and learn in their academic classes no matter their race. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/438/265

I really loved having the opportunity to be on a case that intrigued me to put forward the best legal argument possible. Mock trials are an amazing way to learn new information about a time period in a creative way. I am really going to miss attending, and participating in these trials in this class. 

White Like Me Reflection

                                            Movie Reflection, "White Like Me"

"White Like Me", produced by Scott Morris, is a powerful and engaging movie that tackles Racism. Racism is an ongoing problem, still seen in modern-day America. The movie is based on the work of the accomplished author, speaker, and activist Tim Wise. 

Link to Watch Movie: 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3125676/

The movie starts off with the hook of Wise's personal story of white privilege and racism in the United States. He explains that white privilege is having a huge leg up in life because of one's skin color. This can look like better job opportunities, growing up in a higher social class, and being able to live life without as much fear as people of color. 

                                             Tim Wise Lecturing about Racism:

Link to see Lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTHY_QnEdk 

"White like Me" also takes on some key issues and asks the viewer some important questions. One of the questions that really stood out to me was the question of privilege. The movie made me think does one's skin color affects one's education, opportunities in life, and the overall happiness of life. It is sad to admit but in this day and age, it does. This makes me question a lot about life. It is extremely devastating to me that white privilege still exists to this day and that many people of color have to deal with not having the same level of opportunities.  

https://www.womansday.com/life/a32758153/what-is-white-privilege/

It makes me think how I am not scared to call the cops if I am in danger, but people of color might be, because of cruel events that have happened to them throughout history. This movie made me think of my senior capstone project on wrongfully convicted crimes based on racial injustice. Through my research on this topic last year I learned that more than half of people that were wrongfully convicted were people of color,  who did not have the money to afford a good lawyer to defend them. 

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137408433_3

It is time for true change in America, and for colorblindness to end. No one should fear life simply on the color of their skin. The color of skin never limits or defines a person. This movie was powerful and carried a strong message from beginning to end. Everyone should see this movie once in their life to become more educated, to hear the real vulnerable interviews, and to see that even though slavery has ended in America and there are more laws racism is still prominent in the United States needing change to occur. 

https://www.ucf.edu/news/waking-up-to-whiteness-and-white-privilege/