Pedaling Innovation Neil Sullivan Lauren Tallman Michael Tho ✓ Solved

Pedaling Innovationneil Sullivanlauren Tallmanmichaele Thoma

For this assignment, view the two films in Week 1. The first is about what makes someone or something part of popular culture. The second is about creative people whose works support diversity rather than stereotypes. For your main posting, please look back at American history from 1800 to recent times. Find a person, event, artifact, or movement/school/group/institution which fits into our two themes this week, namely that it is a part of popular culture and that it supports diversity rather than stereotypes. Your main posting should have three paragraphs. First, tell us what you chose and why it is part of popular culture. Second, describe how your choice supports diversity rather than stereotypes. Third, tell us why you chose it? Why did this attract your attention and also make it worthy of consideration in a course on the history of popular American culture?

Paper For Above Instructions

American popular culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from various threads of history, art, and social movements. For this assignment, I have chosen the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, a pivotal historical event that significantly shaped American society. The Civil Rights Movement is a cornerstone of American culture because it not only challenged systemic racism and inequality but also transformed the cultural landscape of the United States. This movement was instrumental in promoting values of equality, justice, and inclusivity, making it an essential part of our national identity.

The Civil Rights Movement actively supported diversity and dismantled stereotypes by providing a platform for marginalized voices, particularly those of African Americans. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X used their influence to advocate for equality and justice, challenging the prevailing narratives that depicted African Americans as inferior or dangerous. By organizing peaceful protests, sit-ins, and marches, these leaders highlighted the rich contributions of Black Americans to society while simultaneously addressing the injustices they faced. The iconic March on Washington in 1963, where Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, served to unify people from diverse backgrounds in pursuit of a common goal—civil rights for all. This movement redefined popular culture by influencing art, literature, music, and even fashion, showcasing the power of diversity in shaping a better society.

I chose the Civil Rights Movement because of its profound impact on my understanding of American history and its ongoing relevance in today's societal context. The movement has always fascinated me due to its blend of grassroots activism, powerful rhetoric, and cultural expression. As I explored its history, I became increasingly aware of how the struggle for civil rights has parallels in various contemporary social justice movements, including those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and immigrant rights. The Civil Rights Movement illustrates the importance of collective action in effecting societal change, a theme that resonates with me and underscores the ongoing need for advocacy against oppression. Studying this movement and its achievements encourages me to reflect on how I can contribute positively to fostering diversity and inclusivity in my own life.

In conclusion, the Civil Rights Movement is a significant part of popular culture as it reshaped societal norms and core values in America. It supported diversity by offering a powerful counter-narrative to the stereotypes that had long been entrenched in society. Its relevance continues to inspire generations of advocates for justice and equality, making it a critical topic of consideration in any discourse around the history of American culture.

References

• King, M. L. (1963). I Have a Dream. Speech presented at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
• Branch, T. (1988). Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63. Simon & Schuster.
• Garrow, D. J. (1986). Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. William Morrow.
• Abernathy, R. (1990). And the Walls Came Tumbling Down: An Autobiography. HarperCollins.
• Rosenberg, S. (2015). The Civil Rights Movement: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO.
• Just, R. J. (2009). The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1954-68. Oxford University Press.
• Patterson, J. T. (2001). Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974. Oxford University Press.
• Dawson, M. C. (2001). Black Visions: The Roots of Contemporary African American Political Ideologies. University of Chicago Press.
• Harris, F. C. (2001). Something Within: Religion in African American Political Activism. Oxford University Press.
• Singh, S. (2021). Race and Citizenship in the Age of the Civil Rights Movement. Cambridge University Press.