Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Chapter 18 19 20 and 21
Chapters 18, 19, 20, and 21 were about the effects that the assassination of president Kennedy, the "Big Three" automobile manufacturers, the events surrounding Motown in 1964, and the racial tensions that still prevailed during this time. What new information have you learned from reading these chapters that you didn't know prior to reading these chapters?
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I learned a lot of things from these chapters that I didn't know before reading them. I learned about the Second Baptist Church being the oldest black church in Michigan and how badly people in Detroit took the assassination of president Kennedy. After president Kennedy was assassinated, Lyndon Johnson wanted to continue on where he left off. I also learned about interesting information regarding Motown. Mary Wells' song, "My Guy" was at the top of the bill-board chart and it surpassed the Beatles. The temptations sang a variant of the song and it was titled, "My Girl". I already knew about the racism that existed in the 1960's but it was nice to learn more information about what was done to mitigate it during the time. Of course, there was a lot of new information I learned from these chapters and I have them written down for future reference. I would describe these chapters as moving forward with optimism in amidst tragedies.
ReplyDeleteI am probably the only person on staff old enough to remember news of Kennedy’s assassination. I was 7 years old at Cory Elementary in Romulus, MI when our classroom teacher was summoned by the principal. When she returned, you could tell she had been crying and she had a tissue in one hand. She told us the President had been shot, but did not tell us he was dead. I am not sure if she knew he had died at the time or not. Then, she told our class we should stop what we were doing to pray for him (Yes, in 1963, you could still hold prayer in the classroom). After we prayed, some of the parents started to arrive to take my classmates home, even though – if I recall rightly – it was nearly time to leave for home on the bus, anyways. When my sisters and I arrived home, my father was already there. Being a garbage man, he left home at 5 AM and was home by 2 PM. He told us it was just a matter of time JFK would be shot, since he had made too many enemies.
DeleteDomonique, that last sentence you wrote was something I noticed as well, as people began moving forward after and even during tragedies. I notice that people use tragedies like these to not only find solutions so it wont happen again, but so that they can move forward with their lives. Its sort of a meta way of looking at life, but its the truth.
DeleteBlack people took it really hard when Kennedy was assassinated. King, X and Kennedy were the 3 pillars of many homes. They stood for change, something greater (can be defined in may was pending your beliefs on these 3 people) for the people. Present day, my friends and I have hand many discussions about if Obama would be assassinated. I've head my breathe every time he's been on a public stage. It saddens and angers me about the cruelty of people and senseless killings.
DeleteI grew up near Earl Ruby's dry cleaners and never knew he was related to Jack Ruby. I literally laughed aloud when I read the line "I think we are going to get a lot of good publicity out this!" This book is the gift that keeps on giving.
DeleteThere were three items that I had not known previously before reading these chapters. First, I would like to say I am fairly knowledgeable on African American culture. However, it was news to me that Dinah Washington was married to Detroit Lions Football Great Dick “Night Train” Lane; and this Blues/Jazz artist died in Detroit from an overdose of prescription drugs. Second, I shook my head in disbelief to know Walter Reuther had urged the “Big Three” to start manufacturing smaller cars in the early-1960s. If they had heeded his advice, U.S. automakers probably would not have lost so much of the global vehicle market share. Finally, I was surprised to know Diana Ross had affairs with other married Motown personnel before she got involved with Berry Gordy. Perhaps it is because I am not a man, but she is way too skinny for my tastes. Maybe these men simply wanted her, because she was willing to be “had.” However, now I know that it was not Berry Gordy who corrupted her. She obviously was a “willing partner” in deceit and betrayal. I am glad at least one of the “wronged women” she crossed confronted her and let Ross know her man was off-limits.
ReplyDeleteI somewhat knew about Diana Ross having multiple affairs as I was told this as a youngster when the adults I were surrounded by would talk during holidays and discuss different celebrities and such. I did not know about Lyndon Johnson wanting to keep JFK's ideology going, which sort of took me by surprise.
ReplyDeleteLast year I visited the LBJ Presidential Library, which includes a comprehensive exhibit on Johnson's life and career as a public servant. I was surprised to learn his attitudes toward social justice was first evidenced as a young teacher in Texas. By all accounts, he strove to treat his Mexican American students in a fair and equitable manner, despite the racist traditions prevalent at the time.
DeleteWith my aunt and cousin involved in music, I'd heard many stories about Motown. I never heard a tale about her being an adulterer, but they did say she thought she was better than everyone else, but she too grew up in the ghetto. May she used it and an 'out' and she netted Berry 'hook, line and sinker'! LOL
DeleteI too was surprised to learn about Diana Ross' affairs. I was under the impression that she was strictly with Barry Gordy and no one else. It was the 1960's, so I guess I should not have bene surprised.
DeleteGrowing up my mother's best friend dated Dick Nighttrain Lane. I knew he was a former Pro Football player and Lion, but I did not know he was such a big deal back in the day. He lived a very modest life in a small apartment off of McNichols and Meyers on the Westside of town. He was a really cool dude. My mother won a beauty contest in 1981 naming her the Ms. Superbowl Queen when the Superbowl was played at the Pontiac Silverdome and received two tickets as a part of her prize package. Nighttrain actually drove us to the Superbowl. I had no knowledge of his marriage to Dinah Washington or of who she even was. So this part of the book felt personal to me and was very enjoyable to read.
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