history part 2
The organized workers of America, free in their industrial life, conscious partners in production, secure in their homes, and enjoying a decent standard of living will prove the finest bulwark against the intrusion of alien doctrines of government. Do those who have hatched this foolish cry of communism in the C.I.O. fear the increased influence of labor in our democracy? Do they fear its influence will be cast on the side of shorter hours, a better system of distributed employment, better homes
Document: John L Lewis on Labor's great upheaval. The quote, from 1937, was spoken by John L. Lewis during a critical time in American labor history. Lewis, a leading figure in the labor movement, addressed concerns about communist influences within the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) during a period of intense labor activism. His words aimed to defend the CIO, highlight the role of organized workers as a democratic bulwark against extremist ideologies, and question whether the accusations of communism were actually a fear of increased labor influence in shaping democracy. Lewis emphasized the potential positive impact of labor's growing influence: advocating for shorter work hours, fairer income distribution, better employment systems, improved housing for the underprivileged, and social security for the elderly. This statement was a strategic defense against accusations aimed at discrediting the labor movement, asserting its commitment to democratic values and social reforms, within the context of heightened labor unrest and ideological scrutiny in 1937.
"The reason why we find ourselves in a position of impotency is not because our only powerful potential enemy has sent men to invade our shores, but rather because of the traitorous actions of those who have been treated so well by this Nation. It has not been the less fortunate or members of minority groups who have been traitorous to this Nation, but rather those who have had all the benefits that the wealthiest Nation on earth has had to offer--the finest homes, the finest college education
Document: Joseph R. McCarthy on the Attack. The quote is an excerpt from Senator Joseph McCarthy's speech delivered in Wheeling, West Virginia, on February 9, 1950. This speech is often regarded as the starting point of McCarthyism, a period of intense anti-communist suspicion and fear-mongering in the United States. McCarthy's address suggested that the United States faced internal threats from individuals, particularly in the State Department, whom he accused of being disloyal to the nation. He insinuated that those who came from privileged backgrounds and held positions of power were the ones undermining the country's interests, specifically singling out the State Department as a hotbed of purported traitorous activity. McCarthy's speech amplified the rising anti-communist sentiments, fueling a red scare and initiating a wave of investigations and accusations that led to a climate of fear, suspicion, and persecution in American society and politics during the early Cold War era.
"What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls and ate up their brains and imagination?"Moloch! Solitude! Filth! Ugliness! Ashcans and unobtainable dollars! Children scream under the stairways! Boys sobbing in armies! Old men weeping in the parks!"Moloch! Moloch! Nightmare of Moloch! Moloch the loveless! Mental Moloch! Moloch the heavy judger of men!"
The quote is an excerpt from the poem "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg, first performed at the Six Gallery in San Francisco on October 7, 1955. Ginsberg's "Howl" is a powerful and raw representation of the discontents, struggles, and societal issues prevalent in post-World War II America. This particular excerpt symbolizes the dehumanizing, destructive forces of modern industrial society, represented by the figure of Moloch—a biblical entity associated with sacrifice and destruction. Ginsberg uses vivid imagery to critique the materialism, conformity, and the loss of individuality and humanity prevalent in the commercial and capitalist culture of the time. "Howl" became a seminal work in the Beat Generation, challenging societal norms and expressing the disillusionment and alienation felt by many in the face of what Ginsberg saw as a conformist, commercialized, and oppressive American society. It sparked discussions on freedom of expression, countercultural movements, and the role of poetry in addressing social and personal issues.
If it was up to Donald Trump, he never would have been in America. Donald Trumpconsistently smears the character of Muslims. He disrespects other minorities—women, judges,even his own party leadership. He vows to build walls and ban us from this country."Donald Trump... let me ask you: Have you even read the U.S. Constitution? I will gladly lendyou my copy. In this document, look for the words 'liberty' and 'equal protection of law.' Haveyou ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of the brave patriots who dieddefending America—you will see all faiths, genders, and ethnicities.
The quote is from Khizr Khan's speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Khizr Khan is the father of Captain Humayun Khan, a Muslim-American soldier who was killed in action in Iraq. In his speech, Khan criticized then-presidential candidate Donald Trump for his statements regarding Muslims and other minority groups. The significance of this quote lies in Khan's emotional and powerful defense of the contributions of Muslim-Americans to the United States and his challenge to Trump's divisive rhetoric. By invoking the U.S. Constitution and the principles of liberty and equal protection of the law, Khan positioned himself as an advocate for the inclusive values that he believed America stood for. The reference to Arlington Cemetery reinforced the idea that individuals from diverse backgrounds have sacrificed for the country, challenging Trump's proposed policies and highlighting the diversity that Khan saw as integral to the fabric of the United States. The speech garnered widespread attention and became a memorable moment during the 2016 election, sparking discussions about religious freedom, patriotism, and the place of minorities in American society.
No, I'm not an American. I'm one of the 22 million black people who are the victims ofAmericanism. One of the 22 million black people who are victims of democracy, nothing butdisguised hypocrisy. So, I'm not standing here speaking to you as an American, or a patriot, or a flag-saluter, or a flag-waver—no, not I. I'm speaking as a victim of this American system. And Isee America through the eyes of the victim. I don't see any American dream; I see an Americannightmare...."
The quote is from Malcolm X's speech "The Ballot or the Bullet," delivered on April 3, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio. Malcolm X was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, known for his advocacy for black empowerment and his critique of the American system. In this speech, Malcolm X emphasizes his identity as a victim of Americanism, challenging the notion of the American dream and democracy, particularly in the context of the ongoing struggle for civil rights. The quote captures Malcolm X's perspective that the American system has failed to address the systemic oppression and discrimination faced by Black Americans. The speech reflects the urgency of the civil rights movement during the 1960s, addressing the disenfranchisement and social injustice experienced by Black individuals. Malcolm X's call for political empowerment and the strategic use of the ballot or the bullet underscored the demand for meaningful change and justice in the face of deep-seated racial inequalities.
This unwarranted exercise of power by the Court, contrary to the Constitution, is creating chaos and confusion in the States principally affected. It is destroying the amicable relations between the white and Negro races that have been created through 90 years of patient effort by the good people of both races. It has planted hatred and suspicion where there has been before friendship and understanding."With the gravest concern for the explosive and dangerous condition created by this decision
The quote is from the "Southern Manifesto," a document released on March 12, 1956, and signed by 101 Southern members of the United States Congress. It was a response to the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. The Manifesto fiercely opposed the desegregation of public schools, arguing that the Supreme Court's ruling threatened the stability of the Southern way of life and created social upheaval, stirring up tensions between white and black communities. It reflected the Southern politicians' commitment to resist the integration of public schools, emphasizing the preservation of segregation and the perceived virtues of "separate but equal" facilities for different races. The Southern Manifesto represented a significant resistance to the civil rights movement, highlighting the deeply entrenched racial segregation and the fervent opposition to efforts aimed at desegregating public institutions in the Southern United States during the mid-20th century.
We are people of this generation, bred in at least modest comfort, housed now in universities,looking uncomfortably to the world we inherit."When we were kids the United States was the wealthiest and strongest country in the world; theonly one with the atom bomb, the least scarred by modern war, an initiator of the United Nationsthat we thought would distribute Western influence throughout the world. Freedom and equalityfor each individual, government of, by, and for the people—these American values we foundgood, principles by which we could live as men. Many of us began maturing in complacency."As we grew, however, our comfort was penetrated by events too troubling to dismiss."
The quote is from the Port Huron Statement, written in 1962 by Tom Hayden, a leader of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The statement was a key document of the New Left movement, expressing the perspectives and concerns of a new generation of activists in the early 1960s. Hayden, along with other authors, articulated a sense of disillusionment among young Americans who grew up in a time of prosperity and stability but found themselves grappling with social and political issues such as the civil rights movement, the nuclear arms race, and the limitations of American democracy. The Port Huron Statement reflected a shift in the attitudes of the post-World War II generation, moving from complacency to a more critical examination of societal norms and a commitment to social justice. This document is significant for encapsulating the emerging sentiments of the New Left and laying the groundwork for the student activism and social movements that characterized the 1960s. The statement was written during a time when the United States was undergoing significant cultural and political transformations, setting the stage for the activism that would define the decade.
Many who see same-sex marriage to be wrong reach that conclusion based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises, and neither they nor their beliefs are disparaged here. But when that sincere, personal opposition becomes enacted law and public policy, the necessary consequence is to put the imprimatur of the State itself on an exclusion that soon demeans or stigmatizes those whose own liberty is then denied. Under the Constitution, same-sex couples seek in marriage the same legal treatment as opposite-sex couples, and it would disparage their choices and diminish their personhood to deny them this right.
The quote is from the majority opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy in the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, decided in 2015. This case dealt with the constitutionality of state laws prohibiting same-sex marriage. Justice Kennedy's opinion, supported by a 5-4 majority, held that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The significance of this quote lies in its acknowledgment of sincere personal beliefs against same-sex marriage while emphasizing that when these beliefs are translated into enacted law, it can lead to the marginalization and stigmatization of those denied the right to marry. The opinion asserted that denying same-sex couples the legal recognition of their marriages would diminish their personhood and contravene the principles of equal protection under the law. The decision marked a historic moment in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights, establishing the constitutional right to marriage equality across the United States.
NOW is dedicated to the proposition that women, first and foremost, are human beings, who,like all other people in our society, must have the chance to develop their fullest human potential.We believe that woman can achieve such equality only by accepting to the full the challengesand responsibilities they share with all other people in our society, as part of the decision-makingmainstream of American political, economic and social life."We organize to initiate or support action, nationally, or in any part of this nation, by individualsor organizations, to break through the silken curtain of prejudice and discrimination againstwomen in government, industry, the professions, the churches, the political parties, the judiciary,the labor union, in education, science, medicine, law, religion and every other field ofimportance in American society
The quote is from the preamble of the National Organization for Women's (NOW) Statement of Purpose, which was adopted in October 1966 at NOW's founding conference in Washington, D.C. NOW was a crucial organization in the feminist movement, and this statement is a foundational document outlining its goals and principles. The significance of this statement lies in its declaration that women are first and foremost human beings, emphasizing the quest for equality and the full development of women's potential. NOW aimed to challenge and break down gender-based discrimination across various sectors, including government, industry, professions, religion, and education. The document reflects the broader cultural and social shifts of the 1960s and 1970s when the feminist movement gained momentum and demanded equal rights for women. The NOW Statement of Purpose played a pivotal role in shaping the goals and focus of the feminist movement in the United States, contributing to the advocacy for legal and social changes to address gender inequality.
My friends, this election is about much more than who gets what. It is about who we are. It isabout what we believe. It is about what we stand for as Americans. There is a religious war goingon in our country for the soul of America. It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation wewill one day be as was the Cold War itself. And in that struggle for the soul of America, Clinton& Clinton are on the other side, and George Bush is on our side
The quote is from the speech delivered by conservative commentator and political activist Pat Buchanan during the 1992 Republican National Convention. Buchanan, known for his staunch conservatism, used this speech to articulate a narrative of a cultural and religious war within the United States. The 1992 election marked a critical moment in American politics, with incumbent President George H.W. Bush seeking re-election against Democratic nominee Bill Clinton. Buchanan's speech highlighted the ideological divide within the country, framing the election as a battle for the soul and identity of America. The mention of a "cultural war" emphasized the perceived clash of values, with Buchanan positioning George H.W. Bush as the defender of traditional American values against the perceived liberal agenda of the Clintons. This speech is significant as it reflects the increasing polarization in American politics during the early 1990s, with social and cultural issues becoming central to political discourse. Buchanan's rhetoric set the tone for a period of intense ideological battles and debates over the direction of the nation.
The United States of America has continually violated the independent Native Peoples of this continent by Executive action, Legislative fiat, and Judicial decision. By its actions, the UnitedStates has denied all Native people their International Treaty rights, Treaty lands, and basic rights of freedom and sovereignty
The quote is"Declaration of Continuing Independence" during the Trail of Broken Treaties in 1974. The Trail of Broken Treaties was a cross-country protest by Native American activists that culminated in the occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. The AIM Manifesto is a significant document that articulates the grievances and demands of Native Americans at a critical juncture in their activism. In 1972, the U.S. government's policies toward Native Americans were facing increased scrutiny, and the AIM Manifesto drew attention to the historical injustices, treaty violations, and denial of basic rights endured by Native peoples. The occupation of the BIA headquarters and the presentation of the manifesto aimed to draw national attention to these issues, emphasizing the persistent violation of Native Americans' rights by all three branches of the U.S. government. This document played a key role in raising awareness about the struggles of Native Americans and contributing to the broader Native American civil rights movement.
At the present moment in world history, nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one."One way of life is based on the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression."The second way of life is based upon the will of the minority forcible imposed upon the majority. It reli
This quote is an excerpt from President Harry S. Truman's address to Congress on March 12, 1947, known as the Truman Doctrine. It was a pivotal speech delivered at a crucial moment in history, outlining Truman's vision for U.S. foreign policy, particularly in response to the emerging threat of Soviet expansionism after World War II. Truman highlighted the ideological divide between the free world, which championed democratic values and individual freedoms, and the authoritarian, oppressive methods of communist regimes. He articulated the doctrine as a commitment to supporting free peoples under threat from totalitarianism, effectively announcing the United States' policy to assist nations resisting subjugation by armed minorities or external pressures. This speech laid the foundation for the U.S. policy of containment, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy towards an active stance against the spread of communism, and it played a critical role in shaping the early stages of the Cold War.