These materials are provided for participants' review and reflection, as part of the LWVDE 2022 Black History Month program.
Topic For Week 1, Jan 31 – Feb 6: Voting Rights
Poem for Week 1:
women’s voting rights at one hundred (but who’s counting?)
by Evie Shockley
"eenie meenie minie moe
catch a voter by her toe
if she hollers then you know
got yourself a real jane crow...."
<etc.>
Please follow this link to experience with the full poem with its proper formatting: poets.org/poem/womens-voting-rights-one-hundred-whos-counting
Week 1 Materials...
Article:
Article by Diane Stopyra | Photo illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase | Photos by and courtesy of Evan Krape, Carol A. Scott, H. Gordon Flemming, Delaware Public Archives, Delaware Historical Society, iStock August 17, 2020
Book:
counterpointpress.com/dd-product/on-account-of-race
“Award-winning constitutional law historian, Lawrence Goldstone examines case-based evidence to reveal the court's longstanding support for white supremacy (often under the guise of "states rights") and how that bias has allowed the court to solidify its position as arguably the most powerful branch of the federal government.”
Documentary Films:
pbs.org/video/the-fight-to-vote-black-voter-suppression-in-tennessee-9vlm1u
Note: While this documentary takes place in Tennessee - the history and narrative shared could be one of any number of States in our Nation.
“We have never fully embraced our founding principle ‘All men are created equal’ - and until we as Americans embrace that principle and use our diversity as strength rather than hatred we are going to suffer for it and remain a divided nation. A house divided can stand for a while, but not long.”
◈ All In: The Fight For Democracy
Trailer: https://youtu.be/t6jVGswLPd8
Can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video
pbs.org/independentlens/blog/your-vote-is-your-voice-best-films-about-voting-rights/amp
Radio Podcast:
◈ The Docket: The Rise and Fall of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
npr.org/transcripts/1022343670
Ted Talks:
ted.com/talks/john_lewis_and_bryan_stevenson_the_fight_for_civil_rights_and_freedom
“Civil rights leader and longtime US congressman John Lewis spent his life fighting for freedom and justice for everyone. In this illuminating conversation with lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson, Lewis discusses the essential importance of voting, shares encouraging words of wisdom for the generation of young people currently organizing in the struggle for racial justice and tells moving stories from his decades of making "good trouble" -- at the Freedom Rides, March on Washington and in the halls of Congress. "When you see something that's not right or fair or just, you have to say something," Lewis says. "You have to do something." (November 19, 2019)
ted.com/talks/stacey_abrams_3_questions_to_ask_yourself_about_everything_you_do
“How you respond to setbacks is what defines your character, says Stacey Abrams, the first Black woman in the history of the United States to be nominated by a major party for governor. In an electrifying talk, she shares the lessons she learned from her campaign for governor of Georgia -- and some advice on how to change the world. Be aggressive about your ambition, Abrams says.”
End of Month Discussion...
Don't forget to register for the culminating online discussion on February 28th, 2022 to share our experience, thoughts, insights and questions. Register here: Debriefing Conversation for Black History Month Program
