SUBJECTS: Civics and Citizenship, History
YEARS: 9–10
Imagine what you could achieve if you joined together with people who thought the same way as you did about an important issue?
In a panel interview in 1960, US entertainer and rights activist Paul Robeson points out the potential political power African Americans could wield if they voted as a bloc, or single group.
Things to think about
- 1.Talk about the underlying rights and responsibilities you think come with living in a democracy. What legitimate ways are there to influence people's opinions and persuade them to consider things that concern you?
- 2.According to Robeson, what is a strong influence on the way African Americans organise themselves? Which candidates were in the US presidential election at the time of this interview? What is the one thing Robeson claims all African Americans agree upon?
- 3.Robeson mentions the strength that African Americans from the the large northern states in America could have if they voted together as a unit. What made it harder for African Americans in the southern states to gain similar political strength at this time?
- 4.Research what was done during the early 1960s to change the electoral status of African Americans in the southern states of America. Find out about the Freedom Riders, then research the actions of Australia's own Freedom Riders in 1964-5.
Date of broadcast: 5 Nov 1960
Copyright
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