9/11.. Failing the American Public

Hey readers so for my last Blog post I went for the chapter on 9/11. Now it took alot to get me to do this one believe me. I was quite on the fence about doing this chapter, for reasons being I felt everyone would. Like its going to be a major thing, but whatever I know I can turn it out. I also choose the chapter because it gets down to the nitty gritty. I saw the smoke from my 7th grade history classroom, and heard it on the news, but what this chapter says happens is quite stunning. The chapter is a layout on how  in our society it is easier for us to listen to our president lie about the what really happened as appose to hearing the truth.

Picture of President making speech after 9/11 http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/05/01/the-most-unpopular-president-in-modern-history/

This Chapter also shines some light on our ante up mentality. The book says "The president had been set on attacking Iraq 8 months before 9/11" I mean wow. That's like the bully who hates you cause you smile funny and then the one day you spill a drink on him all hell breaks loose. It's American way to fight without cause most times a major issue. A major piece that stood out to me was how citizen journalism helped Frank Rich cite some of the issues with his book " The Greatest Story Ever Told:The Decline of the Truth". In which he says about said journalism " The explosion of new technology was the fastest hes seen white house fiction be exposed." Just wow.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/piety-and-politics-barry-w-lynn/1100994703  Picture of his book.

Today there is mounds of hurt around and yet we hear nothing about it. It takes websites like Democracy now to tell us what really is happening out there. The link I'm sharing is from Democracy Now and it's a timline of what happened on 9/11 up all the way to now. And you tell me can you see a difference? http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2011/9/9/the_9-11_decade_voices_of_dissent_on_democracy_now
With President Bush's rhetoric of "Terrorists are Bad America is good" we've seen a country of downright hooligans instead of the freedom fighters we need. And the aftermath of a useless war are still outstanding. Today is a day we should use more than a gun to get our points across like this Chapter we need blow away the smoke and mirrors and see and know the truth. IT'S TIME...

Chapter 7... Defying The Ku Klux Klan.

Defying the Ku Klux Klan is a chapter that shed light on a group that in some ways shaped America. May it be good or bad.                                                                           

Escapedtowisconsin Photo/Paul M. Walsh

Photo of The KKK preparing to burn a cross a common ritual for them.        

 

The chapter also speaks of Joesph Pulitzer the man behind the early years of the "New York World." This paper was his defense against the on slot of KKK taking over.

 

A photo of The "New World" newspaper'http://johnkemeny.com/blog/?p=331

  

The KKK started in 1915 in ATL by a man named Joesph Simmons. As he held his bible and led a troop of men up a stony trail, he set a pine cross a blaze. He told these men to vow an allegiance to the knights of The Ku Klux Klan.To them the KKK was a fraternity a brotherhood of some sorts. The Klan even recruited like a frat.

A real Frats recruitment.
http://www.kappasigma.org/merch/rushstore

Almost identical recruitment posters.http://www.brasilescola.com/historiag/ku-klux-klan.htm

The Klans men made a war on Jews, Blacks, immigrants, and Catholics. But The New World paper decided they were not gonna take this war sitting down. Joesph Pulitzer decided to write a posts in the paper with the headline "Ku Klux Klan Exposed!!" Where he wrote that the Klan was a big financial scam, and that they were a thriving business that made their sales in hatred and bigotry. When I read this I feel it's very reminiscent of the gossip rags of today, but just as effective as the NY Times. There were two other papers that helped in the aid of the tyrant Klan. They were Commercial Appeal and The Montgomery Advertiser. Even though the New York World set the stage these newspaper help get it a standing ovation. With their convictions being they were in heavy Klan oriented areas and still preserved what they wanted  is what kept the fight strong.

Even though the Klan is dwindling they still very much exist.They mainly stay in the Bible belt where it all started, and they try and recruit and make waves. Here's a video of a rally they had in 2010 in ATL exactly where they started take notice of how they are...

They are not the only one's still kicking. The New York World has gotten a reboot as well!! This past March Colombia University started the digital version of New York World. They're writing new posts with some of its old contents here's a link to the post.  http://shortformblog.tumblr.com/post/5544512994/new-york-world-columbia-university. This chapter leaves you with lots to think of. How does what we came from to where we are make you feel? Another question how does it feel to know that a battle that started in the early 1900s still hold a candle to some of the battles of today? We must do better...

Chapter 2 ABOLITION- Turning America's Conscience Against the Sins of Slavery

Abolition such a small word with such a powerful meaning! Abolition is the act of doing away with, or the state of being done with: annulment. And chapter 2 spoke on said act with the topic of slavery. Being a man of color there are roots and a sense of, "I have to learn more." Chapter 2 was the one chapter that spoke to a side of me that I wasn't particularly invested in. I mean all the chapters seem to hit a nerve ( in a good way) but this one comes with the background that grabbed me like a wrench unscrewing a pipe. The chapter spoke of the fore fathers of a movement that is still being fought today. I would've never heard of some of them without this chapter. These men each shaped  future events that instituted the changes we live in today. The men, Rev.Elijah P. Lovejoy,William Llyod Garrison, Rev. Samuel Cornish, John Russwurm, and Frederick Douglas were the main points for me because they took to Journalism to share their utter distaste for slavery. They also had one thing in common, want to know what it was?? Diligence, the will to never give up. This strength was (in my head) passed down to the Martin Luther Kings and Malcolm Xs of our time, THE WILL TO NEVER GIVE UP...

http://marikaintegratedproject09.wikispaces.com/Research
Such a strong message on the fight we are constantly fighting. Still to this day.





 There was one man who's (lack for a better word) hustle was on another level than the rest and that was William Lloyd Garrison. Why? You ask, because he was the most influential editor of the Abolition crusade. He spread his quote unquote "Gospel" through his paper "The Liberator". In writing this paper he put himself through the ringer. For reason being because unlike most abolitionist wanted a slow releasing of slaves, but he came in with the a "I want immediate emancipation of the slaves." Which garnered him an audience of predominately African Americans.
Speaking of my fellow African Americans Fredrick Douglas was a Pioneer! Being a slave himself at one point in his life he turned out to be one of the most influential Black Abolitionist. His publishing's were enterprises for our community.



Masthead, The Liberator, 1850. Designed by Hammatt Billings.
http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/interpret/exhibits/morgan/morgan.html
A Picture of the Liberator newspaper that helped shape the beginning of the Abolition!

 As great as these men were for their cause, there is still a battle going on even today. Human Trafficking is a battle that still needs to be fought.



http://www.myspace.com/abolishslaverywithmusic
A depiction of men, women, boys , and girls being shipped like packages.

 Human Trafficking is what we call "Modern Day Slavery". Its the act of Trading humans illegally for sexual, slavery, or forced labor. And it mostly consists of woman and children. It's a inhumane crime that is still a major problem.

As you can see from the CNN video numbers are still growing. I personally think it's going to take some strong individuals like the guys up top for us to make some head way in this crazy country and its crazy constant problems we have coming in. Like the quote " Growth is never by mere chance; its the result of forces working together, by James Cash Penney. I think it's going to take us joining on one accord and banding together in these trying times. That to me breaks it down to what it is we need rite now as a whole, and what this chapter spoke about and is saying....

Video by- CNN.com for youtube.com

Pictures of Liberator and Black Slave  Wiki for Wikipedia

Picture of Package person from FIGHTSLAVERYNOW.org