Overall Description: America has faced adversity and overcome a multitude of challenges throughout its storied past. A nation built on the contributions of many, so too were the efforts of our nation to find comfort in difficult times. From sport, music, and film, to the efforts of marginalized groups including immigrants, women, and youth, this course will explore the diverse impact of many in times of crisis.
Facing Crisis Head On... IN SPORT
Roberto Clemente
Arriba! Arriba! The Legend of Roberto Clemente Adored throughout the world, Puerto Rican born Roberto Clemente personified greatness as a major league baseball player, ultimately becoming a legend as a humanitarian. April 30th, 11:00 a.m. PST |
1960 Rome Olympics
Citius, Altius, Fortius: American Olympians and Equality From Wilma Rudolph to Rafer Johnson to Cassius Clay, the Rome Olympics served as a symbolic weapon for America, who promoted freedom abroad while struggling to answer blatant racism at home. April 30th, 11:00 p.m. PST |
Facing Crisis Head On....IN MUSIC
Kent State
13 Seconds, 13 Casualties and the Amplification of Protest Joe: It took only 13 seconds to further divide an already split nation at Kent State University. After bullets were fired towards students protesting the Vietnam War, American artists again looked to convey their feelings of frustration through a medium of rising popularity: song. May 7, 11:00 a.m. PST |
Mahalia Jackson
We Shall Overcome: Soundtrack for the Civil Rights Struggle On the soundtrack of the struggle for racial equality, there is a constant and steady tone: we shall overcome obstacles placed in front of us as a nation as we reach towards the ideals set forth long ago during our nation’s founding. May 7, 1:00 p.m. PST |
Facing Crisis Head On... IN MOVIES
Philadelphia
Discrimination in the Shadows Joe: Society is unable to overcome bias and inequality if society is unable to acknowledge that these issues exist. In the late 20th century, activists rightfully brought these issues to the forefront as the nation faced rising HIV/AIDS discrimination. May 14, 11:00 a.m. PST |
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Shock of Peace Lo: With the guns quiet and the papers of peace signed, many veterans discovered a battle still remained: returning home. While some may have escaped physical harm during the war, they returned home only to become “casualties of the spirit.” May 14, 1:00 p.m. PST |
Facing Crisis Head On... IN WOMEN
Women Army Corps
Move over Rosie, The Army’s on the Way Joe: World War II posters often depict women heading to the workforce to support the war efforts. But, thousands of women left their homes, dawned Army uniforms for the first time, and contributed to the American effort as soldiers. May 21, 11:00 a.m. PST |
WWII Spies
Masked Courage: The Grit of a Woman Spy Lo: Answering the call of their country, women exhibited a cool and lonely courage as they trained in sharpshooting, demolition and intelligence gathering. They executed covert operations at extreme risk, with half not returning home. May 21, 1:00 p.m. PST |
Facing Crisis Head On...IN YOUTH
Japanese Internment Camps
A Prisoner in Your Own Land: The Relocation of Japanese Students Joe: As America made its entrance into World War II, so too did fear of Japanese Americans as a national security risk. More than 125,000 Japanese-Americans found themselves relocated to internment camps, including children who would grow up in deserted areas surrounded by barbed wire. May 28, 11:00 a.m. PST |
Children's Crusade in Birmingham
“There’s Gonna Be a Party at the Park” Lo: Almost a century after the end of the Civil War, the bricks were still being stacked to maintain a system of segregation and inequality in the American South. But, the mortar in those bricks cracked from the pressure applied from young, non-violent Freedom Fighters in Birmingham. May 28, 1:00 p.m. PST |