“The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (1965, Montgomery, AL)
The Other Side of American Life Poverty Line 30 million people, 1/5 of all Americans African Americans average income … $2,700 - $3,000 “Bracero Program” 5 million Mexicans brought to the U.S., as U.S. govt. actively marketed
The Other Side of American Life Native Americans economic situation … & “termination” Federal govt. withdrew recognition of Native American citizens as having a “special status” Indian Relocation Act of 1956 Benefits & assistance to leave reservation and move to cities
The Other Side of American Life Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 … Grants / $$$$ for contracts with Tribes to support … - Resource management - Law enforcement - Education & childcare - Environmental protection
Incident at Wounded Knee “We Shall Remain – Wounded Knee”: What is the importance and meaning of this local historical event? 1973 – Occupation at Wounded Knee, SD Feb. 27 – May 5, 1973, 71-day occupation Why? (1) Frustration over Richard Wilson, Tribal Chairman (2) Anger over lost land and $$$$ promises Rapid City Wounded Knee
“Great Society” Programs Civil Rights laws!! Economic Opportunity Act (1964) – Created “Job Corps” to train young men and women in vocational-based skills needed to get jobs and move out of poverty. Medicare (1965) – Provides basic health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older. Covers on average 50% of healthcare costs. Medicaid (1965) – Provides basic medical services to poor and disabled Americans.
“Great Society” Programs Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 – altered America’s existing quota system (from the 1920’s), as larger numbers of immigrants from Latin America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia soon began coming to the United States.
Warren Court 1953 - 1969 Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Established “right to an attorney,” as the suspect has a right to a court-appointed attorney if suspect is unable to afford one Reynolds v. Sims (1964) “One man, one vote principle,” requiring that state legislative districts be approximately equal in population
Applying - Reynolds v. Sims (1964)
Applying - Reynolds v. Sims (1964)
Warren Court 1953 - 1969 Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Requires the police to inform suspects of their rights during the arrest process Legal Principles (addressed by the Warren Court) [1] Due Process of Law [2] Racial equality [3] Equal representation [4] Freedom of Speech & Religion Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Abington School District v. Schempp (1963) banned state-mandated prayer and Bible reading in public schools