Purpose of the Black Lives Matter Movement Questions Discussion TASK: Answer 5 questions in complete sentences with zero grammar mistakes based on the info

Purpose of the Black Lives Matter Movement Questions Discussion TASK: Answer 5 questions in complete sentences with zero grammar mistakes based on the information provided. Unit: Speeches and Injustice
Course Essential Questions: Who can achieve the American Dream?
What is truth? What does it mean to be an American?
Mini Unit Essential Questions: How are speeches used to mobilize
people, fight oppression, and create change? How are speeches
powerful? How can silence be a form of violence?
INTRO TO THIS WEEK’S LESSON
There are many peaceful protests occurring all over the nation
right now, some turning violent and destructive, and these
demonstrations aim to shed light on issues involving societal
racism and how the policing system in the U.S. needs structural
reform. The outrage was sparked by the death of George Floyd by
the hands of Minneapolis police. In the U.S., African Americans
are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white
people. For black women, the rate is 1.4 times more likely. This
is just one statistic about policing in the U.S. that may make
you angry. Another might be when a white woman recently called
New York City police on a black man out birdwatching for asking
her to leash her dog. Another might be when a white man — again
in Minneapolis — called security when four black men rejected
his demand for ID proving that they had permission to use the
gym in a building where they all worked. Another may be when a
Starbucks manager called police in Philadelphia to arrest two
black men who were waiting to meet a potential business partner.
Another might be that NYC — reasons related to the coronavirus
— has cut their budget for education by $641 million and cut
the police budget by 23.8 million. There are many reasons to be
angry, sad, confused, outraged, disappointed… but it is
important to be informed and try to grapple with these complex
ideas which have plagued our nation for centuries. I hope that
through the study of famous speeches in American history, you
can begin to understand what fuels this kind of hate and racism,
and what might ultimately cure the terrible disease racism is.
We will be reading speeches by important people from U.S.
history, analyzing aspects of them, and trying to understand how
they connect to the present in regards to injustice.
Please, as always, if you are struggling or feel uncomfortable
with certain topics, let me know (cfonts@hstat.org) and I can
help you work through it! Please request a Google Meet video
chat via email or text my Google Voice (201-591-5325) if you
want to engage in a dialogue about current events or simply need
help with the lesson. I am available from 9-11AM for my office
hours.
TUESDAY 6.2 LESSON
“PEACE”
The ongoing protests in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, LA, NYC, and cities and towns all
across the nation that began 12 days ago have already created some change. For example,
Minneapolis City Council Members have announced they plan to ‘Dismantle’ Police Department.
Also, Mayor DeBlasio has agreed to cut NYPD funds and give that money to social programs. It
is a start. I want you to read this speech Martin Luther King Jr. gave in 1956 after there were
some successful protests that brought about some change and “peace” after civil unrest. It
provides insight on how to treat small victories and continue to fight against injustice after
accomplishing change in order to reach the end goal of equality for all. Enjoy! The links are
provided for historical context and background information to support your understanding of
King’s message.
“When Peace Becomes Obnoxious”
Sermon Delivered on 18 March 1956 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
Author: King, Martin Luther, Jr.
Date: March 29, 1956
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Genre: Sermon / Speech
Topic: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Preaching from Dexter5 pulpit the morning before facing trial, King condemns the false,
“obnoxious” peace that was restored to the University of Alabama campus after it barred
Autherine Lucy from attending classes. Quoting Jesus- “I come not to bring peace but a sword.”
King insists that peace “is not merely the absence of some negative force-war, tension,
confusion, but it is the presence of some positive force-justice, goodwill, the power of the
kingdom of God. ”Louisville Defender editor Frank L. Stanley transcribed the sermon while in
Montgomery covering the trial and sent a copy to King for his review before publication on 29
March. On 3 April King thanked Stanley for his ‘fine” coverage of the Montgomery movement
and expressed his “deepest appreciation for your interest in our cause and for the interest you
have stimulated in Alpha men all over the country.”
“When Peace Becomes Obnoxious”
A few weeks ago, a Federal Judge handed down an edict which stated in substance that
the University of Alabama could no longer deny admission to persons because of their
race. With the handing down of this decision, a brave young lady by the name of Autherine
Lucy was accepted as the first Negro student to be admitted in the history of the
University of Alabama. This was a great moment and a great decision. But with the
announcement of this decision, “the vanguards of the old order began to surge.” The
forces of evil began to congeal. As soon as Autherine Lucy walked on the campus, a group
of spoiled students led by Leonard Wilson and a vicious group of outsiders began
threatening her on every hand. 1 Crosses were burned; eggs and bricks were thrown at
her. The mob jumped on top of the car in which she was riding. Finally, the president and
trustees of the University of Alabama asked Autherine to leave for her own safety and the
safety of the University. The next day after Autherine was dismissed, the paper came out
with this headline: “Things are quiet in Tuscaloosa today. There is peace on the campus of
the University of Alabama.”
Yes, things are quiet in Tuscaloosa. Yes, there was peace on the campus, but it was peace
at a great price: it was peace that had been purchased at the exorbitant price of an inept
trustee board succumbing to the whims and caprices of a vicious mob. It was peace that
had been purchased at the price of allowing mobocracy to reign supreme over democracy.
It was peace that had been purchased at the price of capitulating to the force of darkness.
This is the type of peace that all men of goodwill hate. It is the type of peace that is
obnoxious. It is the type of peace that stinks in the nostrils of the Almighty God.
Now let me hasten to say that this is not a concession to or a justification for physical war.
I can see no moral justification for that type of war. I believe absolutely and positively that
violence is self-defeating. War is devastating and we know now that if we continue to use
these weapons of destruction, our civilization will be plunged across the abyss of
destruction.
However, this is a type of war that every Christian is involved in. It is a spiritual war. It is a
war of ideas. Every true Christian is a fighting pacifist.
In a very profound passage which has been often misunderstood, Jesus utters this: He
says, “Think not that I am come to bring peace. I come not to bring peace but a sword.” 2
Certainly, He is not saying that He comes not to bring peace in the higher sense. What He
is saying is: “I come not to bring this peace of escapism, this peace that fails to confront
the real issues of life, the peace that makes for stagnant complacency.” Then He says, “I
come to bring a sword” not a physical sword. Whenever I come, a conflict is precipitated
between the old and the new, between justice and injustice, between the forces of light
and the forces of darkness. I come to declare war over injustice. I come to declare war on
evil. Peace is not merely the absence of some negative force—war, tension, confusion, but
it is the presence of some positive force—justice, goodwill, the power of the kingdom of
God. 3
I had a long talk with a man the other day about this bus situation. He discussed the peace
being destroyed in the community, the destroying of good race relations. I agree that
there is more tension now. But peace is not merely the absence of this tension, but the
presence of justice. And even if we didn’t have this tension, we still wouldn’t have positive
peace. Yes, it is true that if the Negro accepts his place, accepts exploitation and injustice,
there will be peace. But it would be a peace boiled down to stagnant complacency,
deadening passivity, and if peace means this, I don’t want peace.
1) If peace means accepting second-class citizenship, I don’t want it.
2) If peace means keeping my mouth shut in the midst of injustice and evil, I don’t want it.
3) If peace means being complacently adjusted to a deadening status quo, I don’t want
peace.
4) If peace means a willingness to be exploited economically, dominated politically,
humiliated and segregated, I don’t want peace. So in a passive, non-violent manner, we
must revolt against this peace.
Jesus says in substance, I will not be content until justice, goodwill, brotherhood, love, yes,
the Kingdom of God are established upon the earth. This is real peace–a peace embodied
with the presence of positive good. The inner peace that comes as a result of doing God’s
will.
VOCAB SUPPORT
obnoxious: extremely unpleasant.
edict: an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority
congeal: solidify and come together
vanguards: a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas
capitulate: cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender
pacifist: a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable
complacency: a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements
TASK: Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1- What do you think are the “forces of evil” King is speaking of in
this passage? Explain in 3-4 sentences.
● “A few weeks ago, a Federal Judge handed down an edict which stated in substance
that the University of Alabama could no longer deny admission to persons because of
their race. With the handing down of this decision, a brave young lady by the name of
Autherine Lucy was accepted as the first Negro student to be admitted in the history
of the University of Alabama. This was a great moment and a great decision. But with
the announcement of this decision, “the vanguards of the old order began to surge.”
The forces of evil began to congeal.”
2- Why do you believe Martin Luther King Jr. describes “peace” as
“obnoxious” in this sermon/speech from 1956? Explain in 3-4
sentences.
3- Why do you believe Martin Luther King Jr. uses this quote by Jesus
from the bible? Do you think it is powerful? Explain in 3-4 sentences.
●
In a very profound passage which has been often misunderstood, Jesus utters this: He
says, “Think not that I am come to bring peace. I come not to bring peace but a sword.”
4 – Copy paste the quote which you believe has the most power? Pick
one you think would properly align with the Black Lives Matter
movement of today?
5 – What do you believe Martin Luther King Jr. would say about the protests
from this past week? How do you think he would stand on issues like
defunding the police / abolishing the police and police brutality in the U.S.?

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