Assassinations Of African-American Activists

Assassinations Of African-American Activists

United States of America is a country which „unity” never was and still is not an easy and straightforward matter. Even our first associations with this country are mainly about varied society in different states. This is obviously connected with different origins of Americans which are most visible because of the skin colors. The constant fight between white and black people stems from an early stage of development of the USA and propagation of slavery.

However, the fight for blacks’ rights started to be really violent in the 50s and 60s so in the times of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. The African-American civil rights movement became a serious threat for Parliament. Race problem is so significant that whenever it is mentioned on the greatest scale - someone gets killed. It is not only in case of ordinary people but also politicians from the highest position. What is more, it is not limited to this period, when we notice that also Abraham Lincoln was shot because of his actions on abolishing the slavery. People always are silenced by an assassin and get shot. It is both really tragic and ironic how the issue is dealt with since shooting away anyone who causes problems seems to be in the range of possibilities. However the case of Malcolm Little, or Malcolm X as he preferred to be called, was of the highest significance because his death was more or less caused by his comment on John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the US president’s  assassination. 

Spike Lee’s film titled “Malcolm X” is a really detailed biography of Malcolm. It contains all of the most important events, and we see all different changes of values he undergoes. It ends with a really dramatic scene of his death. The one held responsible for the attack in the ballroom was Thomas Hagan, whose real name was Talmadge Hayer. He hit Malcolm 7 times using a shotgun. The film was based on Malcolm’s autobiography so it is based on the most believable source. For obvious reasons he had not wrote about his death but predicted it since several times before someone threatened him and once, shortly before his death at a rally of his followers in a ballroom in Washington Heights, someone attacked his home. He felt that people who wanted him dead were from Black Muslims Organization, which he left shortly before. They fell apart mainly because of his comment on the assassination of President Kennedy. He called it a case of ``chickens coming home to roost'' and an outgrowth of violence that whites had used against Negroes. He was suspended by Elijah Muhammad and then started his own movement but still remained loyal to his beliefs which were more than critical towards white people. It is really difficult to judge him based on Spike Lee’s adaptation. His character is really complex. However it is quite hard not to notice the irony between him and JFK. Malcolm X died from black man hands. In the end viewers get the impression that somehow his hatred and arrogance was punished.

On the other hand, Martin Luther King’s beliefs and actions were totally different. His life was portrayed in a quite recent movie “Selma” directed by Avay DuVernay. In this movie we get a totally different type of activist – the passive resistance type. The impression we get of King is that he was the one who really inspired all African-Americans to unite and march from Selma to protest against oppression. When it comes to his death it is not presented, but only mentioned about at the end. King was shot in a more private occasion, while he was in a Lorraine Motel in Memphis with his associates. The assassin used a sniper rifle and because of that he was hard to capture at first. Really interesting thing is that the police arrived at the crime scene without being called for. He murderer was caught later on – it was James Earl Ray. Just like Malcom, King received numerous threats against his life. His situation was, however, quite different since his attitude was far less aggressive, he even was able to recruit white people who openly helped his cause. Unfortunately, they were killed too, like for example Viola Luizzo who was eliminated by Ku Klux Klan. The number of assassination attempts followed her case.

Two cases have something in common, but also differs significantly. Both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were fighting for their rights, and they both were considered to be a huge danger for the authorities. They were observed and wiretapped almost all the time. Another, not so significant, similarity would be the fact that they died at the exact same age – 39. However, their deaths had somehow different impact on the society. When Malcolm X shared his fears of being killed, he was laughed off as a publicity act. When he died people were thinking mainly about how aggressive he was. On the other hand, King became a national hero, and it is his statue that Barack Obama have on his desk. Such thing was unimaginable back in King’s times.

Many people died for the cause of freedom. From perspective of today it seems that such sacrifice was almost necessary because it really got the movements publicity it deserved in the first place. We are not able to guess how would the things go down if both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were alive. The one thing we can obviously say – people who were responsible for the deaths of these iconic figures had lost their fight because of the killings.

1. Write an essay:

Compare situation of black people of America then and now. Try to explain the roots of the problem and present examples of racial discrimination in the US. Try to answer the question if the situation have changed, and if yes - explain how.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1) "American civil rights movement". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.

Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 13 sty. 2016

<http://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement>.

2) Malcolm X. Dir. Spike Lee. Prod. Spike Lee. By Spike Lee and Arnold Perl. Perf. Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and Al Freeman. Warner Bros., 1992. DVD.

3) Peter Kihss. "How Race Is Lived In America." Editorial. The New York Times 22 Feb. 1965: n. pag. Malcom X Shot to Death at Rally Here. Web.

4) ‘’Death of a desperado’’ Newsweek, March 8, 1965, Copyright @ 1965, Newsweek.Inc.

<http://europe.newsweek.com/death-desperado-malcolm-x-was-assassinated-50-years-ago-today-308253?rm=eu>

5) Selma. Dir. Avay DuVernay. Screenplay by Paul Webb. Perf. David Oyelowo and Tom Wilkinson. Celador Films, 2014. DVD.

6) Berman, Elizabeth. "The Photograph That Captured the Horror of MLK’s Assassination." TIME Magazine. Time Inc., 3 Apr. 2015. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://time.com/3749091/mlk-assassination-photograph/>.

7) Caldwell, Earl. "Martin Luther King Is Slain in Memphis; A White Is Suspected; Johnson Urges Calm." The New York Times (1968): n. pag. Web.

8) "Viola Liuzzo." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Jan. 2016 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

9) Bartlett, Karen. "Why Malcolm X Is Getting Written Out of History." Newsweek. N.p., 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://europe.newsweek.com/i-worry-my-father-being-written-out-history-307941?rm=eu>.

The Illuminati

A secret society that rules the world or just a conspiracy theory?

The internet is full of various conspiracy theories about the Illuminati. But who are they? They seem to be a mysterious group that is seeking for a "New World Order" and they mean to impose totalitarian world government. It is rumoured that not just politicians, religious leaders and influential people belong to this organization, but also celebrities, pop stars, actors and so on. Furhermore, want to wash our brains by using media...

Rihanna in her music video for 'S&M' - "Princess of the Illuminati"

Originally, the organization was founded by Adam Weishaupt in Bavaria in 18th century. He criticised the Church a lot and based his secret society on Freemasons with some hierarchy rules and mysterious rituals. Members of it reflected enlightened ideas and were well-educated. However, in 1780s there was a crackdown on secret organizations. Despite that, it is very likely that they have survived.

There are various ideas or theories on what do they want to achieve. However, it is not even known whether they truly exist.Whatismore, probably we will never realize.

TASK:

Watch the analysis of Katy Perry's videoclip and list all the symbols. Make sure you remember and know them all so you will be immune to their power.

Christmas in the United States

Christmas is the annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ and it is celebrated by billions of people around the world, but every country has its own traditions and ways of enjoying these special days. 

 

USA culture is based on many different cultures and traditions of its citizens and that is why it differs depending on families, but nowadays Christmas is mostly commercialized. I do not want to criticize Americans because for me also the most important aspect of Christmas is spending time with family and friends but it is important to know that it becomes less religious now. As I wrote above, Americans love to meet their friends and relatives, even if they live in a different state, but what they sometimes enjoy even more is giving presents. The season for buying the gifts starts just after the Black Friday, many shops offer special prices in the early mornings. Americans cannot imagine their Christmas without many present under the Christmas tree. It is also very popular to bring a small gift for the co-workers and neighbours, the most popular are these that are handmade, e.g. cookies

 

Americans buy Christmas trees pretty soon, some of them even in the end of November - in many houses it is placed just after the Thanksgiving. People in USA decorate also their houses and gardens with colored lights, tinsel, reindeers, angels, stars, snowmen and many bright ornaments - USA is the leader in that matter, the best decorations could be even seen in the Polish news.




Because Americans like to meet with friends, many companies organize meetings and Christmas parties, in which workers can listen to the concerts, mostly the choirs singing Christmas songs. 

What is different from Polish celebration is that in USA the Christmas lasts practically only one day, which is the 25th of December. On the 26th of December they already come back to work and hide all the Christmas decorations. Americans start to prepare for the New Year's Eve. Children are tought that Santa Claus comes with presents at night on the 24th of December and leaves the gifts under the tree, he also eats cookies and drinks milk left for him by the family. Of course he gets into the house by the chimney! Children open their presents in the morning, on 25th of December and the same day there is a family dinner that includes turkey or ham, potatoes and pie. The menu also consists of a lot of desserts such as the 'Crostoli'. Adults drink eggnog - a drink made of cream, milk, sugar, beaten eggs and brandy or rum. 





 


Task: Write a description of how you celebrate Christmas in your family, you can compare it with the American way of celebration.

American Advent

 

I know, as it was previously mentioned in an aritcle on religion,
(see it:http://i-can-culture.blogspot.com/search/label/religion) that according to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 70,6% of the American population identified themselves as Christians (46,5% of them attended to a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant and 20,8% professed Roman Catholic beliefs). 


About those last ones. 

They currently celebrate their Advent. Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. 

The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).

Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. 

The wreath, typically a circular garland of evergreen branches, is a symbol of eternity and unending love. Five candles are arranged on the wreath, and one is alighted each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each of the Advent Candle colors represents a specific element of spiritual readying for the celebration of Christmas.


 
Purple or Blue

Purple (or violet) has traditionally been the primary color of Advent, symbolizing repentance and fasting. Purple is also the color of royalty and the sovereignty of Christ, demonstrating anticipation of and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent.


The first candle of the Advent Wreath, the Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope, is purple. 
The second, called the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation, is also purple in color. 

Likewise, the fourth Advent Candle color is purple. 
It's called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.
 
Pink or Rose
Pink (or rose) is also one of the colors of Advent used during the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic Church. Pink or rose represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and toward celebration.

The third  Candle, named the Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy, is pink in color.
 
White

White is the color of Advent representing purity and light. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. He is the light come into a dark and dying world. Also, those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

Lastly, the Christ Candle is the fifth Advent Candle, positioned in the center of the wreath. This Advent Candle's color is white.

Spiritually preparing by focusing on the colors of Advent in the weeks leading up to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ the center of Christmas,
and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas.

So maybe you should give this a try and do your own simple Advent wreath?
You will be surprised at how enjoyable it may be. 
Light your own candles, make an Advent resolution so that you enjoy your Christmas more than special dishes and gifts. 
 

Religion in the USA

Religion in the United States is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Various religious faiths have flourished within the United States. Why? Mostly because of the multicultural origin of the immigrants. Some religions were also established after their arriving in the USA. As a result the United States became the most religiously diversified country in the world. Some of the religions undergo changes, some of them disappear and the proportions between them are not permanent, there are also no official statistics as far as the religion beliefs are considered. 

In the text of the First Amendment to the country's Constitution we can read the sentence: 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an established of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, ot the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

This sentence guarantees Americans the freedom of beliefs and prevents the government from establishing a state religion.

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 70,6% of the American population identified themselves as Christians (46,5% of them attended to a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant and 20,8% professed Roman Catholic beliefs). The same study says that other religions, like Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, collectively make up about 6% of the American population. 

A majority of Americans report that religion plays a very important role in their lives, a proportion unique among developed countries but is it really so important? Do they visit churches often? Well, according to a 2012 survey by the Pew forum, 36% of Americans state that they attend services nearly every week or more. In my opinion, it is not so much but for many Americans, even though religion is important, family is still number one. What is more, it can be also caused by the reluctance to the idea of the church, like it is right now in Poland where only 39% of population take part in the masses (taking into consideration the fact that Poland is a catholic country, it is not so much). 

We should also remember that America is one country but 51 states that in most cases differ very much. Due to the data provided by a 2016 Gollup poll, Mississippi with 63% of its population described as very religious is the most religious state in the country, while New Hampshire with only 20% described as very religious is the least religious state. 

Task: Write a letter to a friend in which you will describe the religious situation in your country.