Professional Documents
Culture Documents
No one can forget about 1968. It was one of the most important years in human history. From
wars to protests for civil rights, humanity saw monumental changes in the world. The world that we
see now in the Summer of 2018 has been heavily created in part by the events of 1968. This year
was a worldwide affair with social movements in Paris, Prague, Mexico City, Chicago, and other
places where courageous human beings desired total democratic freedoms. The cause of justice
continues to remain and we will continue to advocate for human liberation.
The Contents
The Introduction
Genesis
The Fight for Civil Rights
War and Our Urban Areas
Memphis Workers and Dr. King’s Last
Days
Appendix A: The Music of that Era
The Introduction
1968 was a time of monumental xenophobia and bigotry too. The to completely end. Many came
triumphs and tragedies that police terrorist violence during the together to attempt to end poverty
simultaneously existed. Back then, I Democratic National Convention in via the Poor People's Campaign.
wasn't born yet, but my parents were Chicago also revealed the numerous Sister Shirley Chisholm became the
still alive and much younger than 30 divisions found in the Democratic first African American woman in the
years of age during the year of 1968. Party. The audience to that U.S. Congress, which was excellent
This year was one of the most Convention saw the New Deal news. Conversely, other folks were
important, powerful years in human Coalition divided and ruined before exponents of the evils of imperialism,
history. 1968 was a year that their very eyes. Additionally, 1968 bigotry, and the status quo. 50 years
transformed the United States of once again detailed the horrendous later, change has come about among
America and the world forever. reality of police brutality. Journalists, many avenues, but we still have a
Political campaigns being abundant, protesters, and other bystanders were long way to go. Presently, the war on
soldiers were fighting in the arrested and callously assaulted by terror and threats of war (by the
Vietnamese peninsula (with events many reckless, violent police officers current occupant of the White
like the Tet Offensive and the Battle during the Chicago 1968 Democratic House against North Korea in blunt
of Khe Sanh), and other people National Convention. Ronald terms until recently when he had a sit
exploring tactics for freedom Reagan, by 1968, was part of the down with North Korea) in the
dominated the social atmosphere. right wing extremism clique as well. Korean peninsula exist.
The hippie movement flourished Ironically, Reagan was once a pro- Furthermore, more social activism
and the Black Power Movement FDR New Deal Democrat. By the for real change has commenced in
started to accumulate into its zenith. 1950's, Ronald Reagan became one of our generation from Black Lives
Wars, Cold War tensions, the space the most conservative politicians of Matter, the Dream Defenders, and to
race, civil rights, women's rights the post-WWII era. the widespread Resistance
activism, Native American political movement. Now, it is the time to
growth, Latinx social activism, and Uncertainty, revolts against evaluate 1968 in all of its intricate
other social movements existed established orders, and continued complexities, its profound tragedies,
during that age too. Tons of human fights for justice for all (like Tommie and its iconic historic events. I will
beings advanced in the streets to Smith and John Carlos showing their show three parts of this work on 1968
protest in anti-war rallies. Civil rights black fists in the air during the 1968 too.
occurrences continued to develop, Mexico Olympics) all encompass the
college campus events promoted firmament of the year of 1968. 1968 This first part will show occurrences
progressive causes, and anti-Stalinist has presented the world with a from January 1st, 1968 to the
activists fought for justice in Prague. picture of the best and the worst of assassination of the late Dr. Martin
Some of the greatest world leaders humanity. It involved human beings Luther King Jr. The second part is
for social change (like Dr. Martin who rightfully desired black people from Dr. King's assassination to the
Luther King Jr. and Robert to have absolute equality (like Ella assassination of New York Senator
Kennedy) were viciously assassinated Baker, Fred Hampton, Dr. Martin and Presidential candidate Robert
in 1968. Progressives saw many of Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, Francis Kennedy. The final part will
their legitimate policies opposed by Septima Clark, Ossie Davis, Ruby be from the assassination of Robert
the reactionary, right wing backlash Dee, Muhammad Ali, and other Kennedy to the end of 1968. Justice is
(which Nixon exploited in order for heroes). Also, it was a time when always our aim and we believe in the
him to be elected President by the women desired to have real freedom, Dream unconditionally.
end of 1968. Not to mention that activists fought for the environment
George Wallace's Presidential to be protected, and anti-war
campaign of 1968 appealed to protesters wanted the Vietnam War
Yes, we still Rise.
The Genesis
The start of 1968 started with colossal events like heroic protests and political campaigns resisting the
Johnson administration’s status quo aims at it relates to foreign policy matters.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the rest of the UCLA team South Koreans were angry at being left out in the
played against Elvin Hayes and his University of negotiations. The crew was released after the U.S.
Houston players on January 20, 1968. The game was apologized, admitted it was spying via the Pueblo, and
very significant in the history of basketball. The the promise that the U.S. won’t use spying in the
University of Houston won 71-69 in the first NCAA future. This was done so the people could be released.
basketball game to be televised in a national audience. LBJ refused to attack North Korea since he feared that
This was before March Madness. The Battle of Khe the crew would be killed if he would have done that.
Sanh started on January 21, 1968 and it lasted to July 9, They were released by December 23, 1968 (in
1968 (when U.S. forces withdrew from the battle area). Panmunjom at the DMZ). The Soviets opposed North
The battle was indecisive as both sides claimed victory Korea’s actions while the Chinese supported it. On
(because Americans claimed that they just withdraw February 11, 1968, Madison Square Garden in New
from the Khe Sanh base to destroy it as it wasn’t York City opened. By February 13, 1968, civil rights
militarily necessary to defend, and the Vietnamese events happened at University of Wisconsin-Madison
claimed that it ruled the area after the Americans left). and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
It occurred on the area of northwestern Quang Tri February 27, 1968 was when Walter Cronkite said that
Province in Southern Vietnam. U.S. forces defended the war was a stalemate and the U.S. must withdrawal
Khe Sanh Combat Base by the U.S. Marines, the U.S. in a negotiated settlement. From March 1-8, 1968,
Army, and the U.S. Air Force. Many South Vietnamese about 15,000 Latino students walked outside of LA
Army forces or the ARVN fought in the battle too. In schools in demanding for better education. The
January of 1968, tons of music existed from soul, R&B, government of Czechoslovakia banned censorship on
rock and roll, gospel, blues, jazz, etc. In that month, the March 5, 1968. 500 New York University students
Beatles were popular, Johnny Cash released music, and picket a university sponsored recruiting event for Dow
Steppenwolf was popular. Rowan & Martin’s Laugh- Chemical Company on March 6. Dow manufactured
In debuted on NBC on January 22, 1968. It was a napalm which has burned the flesh of Vietnamese men,
famous sketch comedy show which ended by March 12, women, and children. There are pictures showing
1973. North Korea on the next day seized the USS Vietnamese children running away from napalm
Pueblo claiming that the ship violated its territorial bombings. On March of 1968, Otis Redding's
waters while spying. This was an international posthumous single "(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay"
incident. It had a crew of 83 people. One person from went to #1 US and #3 UK.
America was killed. This came a more than a week after
President Lyndon Johnson gave his State of the Union
address to the United States Congress. The crew of the
Pueblo was taken to Wonsan and moved twice to
POW or prisoner of war camps. The crew said that
they were starved and tortured while in North Korean
custody. There were negotiations for their release. The
The Fight for Civil Rights
Human beings like African Americans fought for their human rights during the late 1960’s.
Movements for change grew in power and influence throughout America including the world.
justice, and labor rights. He motivated the people and brother), Georgia Davis (or the late Kentucky state
himself to get going. He gave prophetic words about senator), and other people. Dr. King wanted to go
the future, but he never wavered in his cause of forward and make another march despite opposition.
nonviolent resistance against injustice. The next day, he was preparing to eat dinner with
colleagues. On April 4, 1968 (at about 6 pm.), one of
His final, historic, and heroic words from the "I Have the most tragic events in American history would
Been to the Mountaintop" speech are the following: happen. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was in Memphis
and he fought for the right to march without an
"...Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've injunction from the judge. He gathered allies on that
got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't day to discuss a future nonviolence march after his
matter with me now, because I've been to the previous night’s I Have Been to the Mountaintop
mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I speech (which he prophetically said that he may not get
would like to live - a long life; longevity has its place. to the Promised Land, but black people will get there
But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to in the future). He came outside of the balcony of the
do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the Lorraine Motel and talked with Jesse Jackson and other
mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the people like Andrew Young. Later, he is shot from a
Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I rifle to his jaw. He is killed soon afterwards. This
want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get changed America and the world forever. 1968 would
to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not never be the same. The Memphis sanitation strike
worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. would end by April 16, 1968. The strikers had a pay
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the raise and union recognition (which were the two major
Lord..." goals of the movement). T. O. Jones was a leader of
that movement who wanted change. T.O. Jones
After the Memphis speech, Dr. King was jubilant. He allowed the vote for the union recognition to exist.
celebrated with his allies. He met A.D. King (his
OCCURENCES OF THE VIETNAM WAR ERA AFTER 1968
Memphis and Detroit are Loyalty, kindness, and On February 16, 1968, Aretha Franklin always had
two great American cities inspirational love all Aretha Franklin was spirituality as a cornerstone
whose legacies involving personify her life. Her star honored with a day in her in her walk. Gospel music is
music, culture, and social shined greatly indeed. She honor and was greeted by included in her discography
activism are transcendent. was the Queen of Soul. She longtime friend Martin too not just soul or R&B
She made an album at the was in movies and in other Luther King Jr. who gave albums (among a music
age of 14, which outlined music videos too. Her her the SCLC Drum Beat career spanning over five
her excellent talent. Her father was a pastor and a Award for Musicians just decades). She just loved
father helped her to sign her great friend of the late Dr. two months before his music and her Blackness
first recording deal with Martin Luther King Jr. too. death. Many of the greatest always flourished. There are
J.V.B. Records, where her Dr. King knew Aretha songs that she sang were: so many excellent Aretha's
first album, Songs of Faith, Franklin as a great friend as Respect, Natural Woman, classics that they reach up
was issued in 1956. well. In fact, Aretha Chain of Fools, Think, My all in your soul. Her family
Franklin sometimes traveled Franklin gave concerts Song, Day Dreaming, A and friends visited her
with The Soul Stirrers during the 1960's to fund Rose is Still a Rose, Baby I before her passing at a
during this time. During her Dr. King's SCLC. Also, Love You, I Say a Little Detroit hospice. Aretha
20's, she made classic Aretha Franklin's father role Prayer, etc. She performed Franklin was a Queen and
musical records. Aretha in the march in Detroit magnificently in the Blues she is with the ancestors
Franklin represented black back in 1963 inspired Dr. Brothers film. Many people now in spirit.
womanhood to the fullest. King to speak at the 1963 honor her wit, her gifts, and
We know of her as a March at Washington her commitment to civil
gracious, inspiring black during August. rights. Aretha Franklin
woman who was on a wanted to maintain her
mission to promote love, privacy and she was honest
respect, and human about music and life in
togetherness. general.
Certainly, her voice, her Aretha Franklin used her
passion for justice, her zeal artistry in a manifold of
for living, her compassion positive ways. She was
for her neighbors, and her indeed the greatest vocalist
love of truth are gifts from of human history. As a
God. She gave total trailblazer, she will be
inspiration to especially greatly missed. We owe a
black women and black lot to her being a woman
girls to pursue their dreams of vision. We are all fans
and aspirations. She had a of Aretha Franklin. No
purpose and wanted one was like her before
humanity in general to and no one will be like her
express their lights afterwards. Her legacy is
brightly. truly eternal.