Week of September 28, 2009

Mike Swanson Writes:

Well, October is almost here. How are we doing on finishing the Autobiography? I get the feeling that some of you are doing very well indeed. Of course when I put it that way I also get the feeling that some of you aren't quite where you need to be as yet. I want to keep us on schedule as much as I can, which means that I'm not going to wait for the rear of the line to catch up--at least not very long.

I'm still planning on starting the next book next week: fair warning.

Heather Writes:

Throughout the book Franklin has been a teacher, a scholar, an author, but I am approaching the end of the book and it seems Franklin is becoming more involved politically with the civil rights movement. Not that he hadn't always been very deeply involved, but at this stage he is retiring from teaching and he has finished his biography on George Washington Williams, so although he is still very busy he has more time to devote to other things.

In his retirement Franklin became even more determined to fight as he says on Reagan's presidential nomination, "Whatever else my retirement might bring, I was certain of one thing: it could not entail any complacency in America's ongoing struggle for civil rights and race-blind equality." He had made himself so well-known and respected that he was able to have his voice and opinions heard. For example, when Franklin is allowed to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee to voice his opposition to Reagan's nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the United States Supreme Court. He was given the opportunity to express his fear of Bork's nomination because of certain legislation that he might oppose and may have had some influence in the Bork's rejection

Mike Swanson Writes:

In 1959 I graduated from High School. Minnehaha Academy.

Minnesota's sons and daughters,

Or where e'er your homes may be,

Hail the school of Laughing Waters,

Minnehaha Academy

I expect your school song wasn't any less dippy. ANYHOW, I'm going to my 50th high school reunion to compare hair lines and hair colors, as well as waistlines with my fellow grads. So no class today. See you next week.

Andrew Writes

Chapter 8

Something that really stood out to me in this Chapter of John Hope's change of additude. Through out the book he has kept seemingly high hopes and a postive additude even in some of the worst times. What really stood out to me was when John Hope realized that he may be drafted into the World War II after the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor. He did not want to be sent off to fight as he did not really agree with war, but he did not want to come across as unpatriotic. So JHF went down to a local enlistment office and office to join the military and work in an office. He pushed his skills as a quick learner and that he was good a clerical work and afterall he did have PhD. from Harvard. JHF was told that he was more than qualified and could have taken the postion however his own problem was the color of his skin.

After that comment was made to him we saw retreat back to that six year who was crying because he was kick off the train. Franklin could not believe what happened and said even said that it must have been some national crisis if they wouldn't accept will and able people to take jobs. That was really the first time since his mother told him not to "cry" over racisim that we truley saw him act out. I think it was a very interesting postion he was put into as well. Someone willing to take on a task and help out his country and he was turned down.

Justin Co Writes:

JHF’s experiences throughout his life are remarkable. It is impressive that he was able to make such an impact in so many places in the world. He lectured throughout Europe and taught them about the problems that many Americans were facing, especially African Americans. Also, one can see how involved he was with his family. An example would be his year of lecturing in Europe because he made sure to schedule the trip when Aurelia and Whit would be able to get the most out of the experience. While their his son was able to begin learning French and they both believe that it was the start for his involvement in international affairs and learning several languages.

It was interesting to learn about the time he spent in Australia and the treatment that he received there. He was unaccustomed to be treated like the rest of a nation and it pleased him. I was shocked that he did not move his family to Australia or Hawaii after his visits there. It proves his determination to better African American lives in America by being where the problems were. In addition, it should his gratitude to Brooklyn College for giving him the department head position when other institutions were reluctant to.

It was his time in Africa that caught me off guard. I was not expecting him to feel so connected with the African culture because of the fact that he was born in America and that was the culture he grew up with. Yet because of the extensive research that he had done on African American history, it all connected for him. Also, it was a surprise that he was able to acquire the piece of art that he did while there because the artist was reluctant to part with it yet by making a deal with the man he was able to purchase his most prized piece of art.