Local Involvement / Impact in The Civil Rights Movement: 

 

The Jonathan Daniels Story


 

 

Introduction

 

     The Civil Rights Movement obviously had a huge impact on many phases of life in America in the 1960’s and beyond.  What many students (and others) probably do not realize is that, regardless of where one lives in America, this movement also had a local impact.  Quite probably, it also had local involvement.  For this assignment, the students will look at the local impact of and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.  The end product possibilities are varied, but the process of finding the information will be valuable and eye-opening.

 

     For the purposes of this lesson plan, the assignment will be described in general terms that should apply to most local communities.  For the purpose of example, the assignment has also been completed using Jonathan Daniels, a local figure and Civil Rights martyr from Keene, NH.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

     Study and analyze the major events and figures of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.

 

     Identify local figures who were involved in major events or aspects of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

     Analyze the local impact of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

     Understand the far-reaching influence of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

GUIDING QUESTIONS:

 

    How was my local community involved in and/or influenced by the Civil Rights Movement?

 

    What influenced people from my community to get involved?

 

Suggested Activities

 

1.  Finding your topic can be a major hurdle.  Some communities (like Keene, NH) have memorialized their Civil Rights workers/martyrs.  Most communities will have a more subtle, hidden, or elusive connection to the Civil Rights Movement.  In these cases, it may be necessary to start with an event or specific aspect of the movement (March on Washington, Voter Registration, SNCC, SCLS, etc.)  Then one can begin using the local resources listed below to start compiling a list of names.  Most local newspapers will have an archive housed either at their offices or in a local library.  Look up specific dates when key events were happening (for unexpected/unplanned events, look at the few days which followed).  Look at how your local media covered the events;  this in itself can teach some valuable lessons.  Now look for any names of local people who may have been involved or even those who gave their opinions.  Armed with this list of local names, visit your local historical society and begin your detailed search.  This may lead you on to local schools, churches, businesses, or other organizations.

 

2.  Along with the many print sources you may find, oral history can be a valuable research tool.  It can not only provide you with more leads, but it can also fill in many gaps in the media’s perception of history.  Remember that just as the media, writers, filmmakers, and others present their own take on history, so too will an interviewee.

 

3.  Once you have gathered your data, now it is time to figure out the best way to display, share, and archive this information.  Part of your decision may be made by your technology limitations and tools.  It may also depend upon how well you can use the tools available. 

 

a.  Here are some examples of final products:

                                                                    i.      PowerPoint presentations have become popular in recent years in educational settings.  These presentations allow you to combine text with visual and aural elements to create a presentation that can be viewed on computers, saved on the internet, or displayed using a computer and projector.

                                                               ii.      Essays can be a simple effective way to get you information across without any real technology needs.

                                                          iii.      Oral presentations can be used to convey information to a specific group.  See if your presentation can be filmed or tape-recorded for longevity.

                                                               iv.      Films can be extremely time-consuming to produce, but are generally well received by audiences looking to have a more “full” experience of your topic.

                                                                    v.      If your technology and knowledge allow, creating a website can be the most effective way to reach the widest possible audience.  Having a website devoted to your topic adds some useful knowledge to the “information highway”.  Your site can then become a useful resource for others who are looking for information related to your topic.

                                                               vi.      Create an archive (digital, photocopies, or originals if possible) of newspaper articles, letters, and other artifacts to help future researchers gain easier access to information regarding your topic.

 

4.  Regardless of your end product, be sure to keep accurate records of all of your sources. 

( Go to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html#Works-Cited for an excellent overview of information to include and proper format for documenting various types of sources.)

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

    Local Resources

         -  Historical societies

-         Local newspapers

-         Local schools

-         Churches

-         Local chapter of NAACP or other Rights-related organizations

-         Relatives

-         Longtime residents

 

Link to Jonathan Daniels Archive-  Please note that this is currently merely an unorganized collection of images and articles.  Future plans call for this resource to be organized, categorized, and prioritized.

 

 

Selected EDSITEment Websites

 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

American Memory.

Great American Speeches: 80 Years of Political Oratory.

My History is America’s History.

We Shall Overcome: Historic Places of the Civil Rights Movement.

Ordinary People, Ordinary Places: The Civil Rights Movement