Introduction: Unit XI examines how parts of New York confronted –and often fail

Introduction: Unit XI examines how parts of New York confronted –and often failed to overcome– the challenge of being one the nation’s most ethnically and racially diverse states. This unit highlights two crucial issues of the second half of the twentieth century: 1) the Civil Rights Movement in New York and 2) the history of education (and bussing) in New York.
Introduction: This unit explores topics, issues and themes that are historically linked to the events that are playing out in the streets, on the television and in the newspaper each day. I vividly remember the first time I read Rieder’s study of Canarsie, NY — it shocked my intellectual sensibilities, bringing into question much of the way I organized my world. It is my hope that this last unit leads you to question or consider what you have believed or learned about New York State’s history (the unit focuses on New York City and Long Island). After completing the required reading and reviewing the documentaries, respond to the question below.
Helpful to Research:
– the Canarsie Busing Crisis in new york
-Conservative and Liberal Opposition to the New York City School-Integration Campaign
Question: During transitional moments (when there are sudden political, social, economic or cultural changes), residents of New York often develop a “myth-making frame of mind.” Some nostalgically look back to the past and create a moment that never was or tell themselves that the world of the past (or of their youth) was idyllic. Others look around them and argue “this is New York, we are open-minded, we are diverse, we respect all people,” and then allow this perspective to imagine a past that never was. The readings and documentaries in this unit encourage you to look back to our past –set aside the myths we have in order to make our world bearable– and question “Who We Are”? In each of the readings we find that issues surrounding race shape how residents of New York react to issues. So the readings may focus on the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s, but they reflect issues which we continue to struggle (or not struggle with) today.
1. After completing the required readings write a five hundred (500) word post exploring what you learned about New York State’s past (specifically about racism) and how it shapes our present. (topic ideas to touch on: Rise of suburbs, racism , jobs).
Include two or three of the quotes below:
–“Canarsians used the metaphor of noise to represent the resourcefulness of blacks and their own relegation to the status of a class without influence” (page 204)
–“One of the most successful periods for New York City liberalism was during the mayoralty of Robert F. Wagner (1954-1966). During these years, benefits for workers rapidly increased, public housing was built and more blacks and latinos gained government jobs” (Taylor page 95)
–“Equality”, a word that, along with “freedom” comes closer to capturing the essence of the American national experience than any other” (Podair page 204)
–“One of the largest civil rights protests in New York City took place on February 3, 1964, when civil rights groups launched a one-day-boycott of the public schools system over the issue of school integration. (Taylor page 96)