Memoir- "Stride Toward Freedom" by Martin Luther K

[Ms. Knarr]

Please open your textbooks to page 1115 and read the following passage.



Do not use questions from the textbook as you will lose credit!

[stephhsieh]

1. The overall meaning of this memoir is the memory of the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955. It was a book published Martin Luther King Jr to share the story and tell everyone racial conditions in Montgomery before, during, and after the bus boycott. The meaning of this memoir for the world to know how Blacks were treated, how unfair they were being treated and to make us realize how wrong it was to do that. The meaning of this is to learn from our mistakes and to tell us this is wrong and to never do it again.

2. I enjoyed this reading because it's true and this is what really happened. I liked it because its from a different view point and it really makes the reader feel immoral and what how the world once was. I also enjoyed reading this because it brings us back to a time where most of us, students, never lived through and lets us see how much the world has changed and grew. I really liked this memoir because it's the truth.

3.
Q1- Everyone today knows about the event of Rosa Parks, so why did MLK still write a novel on it?
Q2- Why do you think King titled it, "Stride Toward Freedom"?
Q3- What does freedom mean to you?
Q4- During the 1960's, how do you think people [Blacks and Whites] felt after the book was published?

[anniepirone]

1. I would have to agree with Steph on the overall meaning of this memoir. It is made very clear that the main topic of this memoir is the conditions of Montgomery before, during, and after the bus boycott in 1955. Like Steph had said, Martin Luther King Jr. had published this book to share his experiences and point-of-view on the treatment of African Americans. During this time period, the Civil Rights Movement was beginning, which is the fight for equal rights of all races. Martin Luther King Jr. also puts emphasis on the unfair treatment of the African Americans to make us realize the wrong behind our actions, and that they were, indeed, mistakes.

2. Ultimately, I enjoyed reading this memoir. I always enjoy reading about our nation's history because it helps me realize how far we, as a nation, has come since our "birth" after the Revolutionary War. I really enjoyed reading this memoir because it came from the point-of-view of a person who had lived through those times, and had a first hand experience of the struggles and fights African Americans endured to achieve their equal rights. I would say though, I didn't really understand the relevance of writing about Rosa Parks when there are so many other events that Martin Luther King Jr. could have chosen from. Overall though, I greatly enjoyed this memoir.

3. To answer Steph's second question, I think that Martin Luther King Jr. had titled his memoir, "Stride Toward Freedom" because it had covered an important event in society that had altered the way our nation had functioned as a whole. Ultimately, this memoir had covered the success and accomplishments achieved by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement (1960s). As the African American race had progressed in their goal to achieve freedom, they were taking strides of force and action to reach their longing dream of freedom.
Q: Why do you think Martin Luther King Jr. had made it a priority to document the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, rather than focus on the treatment and living styles of African Americans during the 1960s?

[deannazaha]

1. I am going to have to agree with both Steph and Annie on the meaning of this memoir. I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to get a point across to the future generations that would read "Stride Toward Freedom." He spoke of how badly the African American race was treated at this time and that it was obvious that a change had to be made. He is telling us, and all other future generations, that if something is wrong, it is up to us to unite and fight against it. He is trying to say that we can make a change, whether it's just one person or a group. Rosa Parks was one of the most famous beginnings to the Civil Rights Movement and she, being just one African American woman, was able to begin a whole boycott and movement that would be remembered in history for many years. It is important to know that we can all make a difference by standing up for what we believe in.

2. I enjoyed reading this memoir because it gave us a glimpse into the way Martin Luther King Jr. thought. We see that he found this whole movement very important and that he was very active in it. He believed whole-heartedly that by uniting all races, a huge difference could be made. He wrote about the whole situation in Montgomery to put emphasis on how a whole movement began. I like the topic as well because I have always liked the Rosa Parks story and reading it from another point of view was nice. I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to send us a powerful message through this memoir that did come across while reading it.

3. In response to Steph's first question, I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. chose to write about this Rosa Parks story because it was still new in history. He wanted to immortalize the story and the lesson of it all. He didn't want the future generations to forget about the powerful message that was sent through the Civil Rights Movement; that anyone, no matter who you are, can make a difference in the world. A huge impact could be left by just one action of pure bravery and strength. My question: Why is it important for memoirs like this to be published and spread throughout the classrooms of America?

[Katie Mustillo]

1. I would have to agree with everyone on the overall meaning of the story. It is reflected upon a very important event in his life- the Montgomery bus boycott. Throughout his book he talked about the way life was for African-Americans in Montgomery and how it affected them. He wanted all people to know how African-Americans were being treated and that it was totally wrong. It was also for the future generations to see how it really was and to prevent it from ever happening again. It was also to show us that problems can be solved without violence. We need to find other ways to deal with our issues in the world without using violence because all it does is make the situation worse. He wants us to stand for what we believe in and to not be afraid or let people push us around. Rosa Parks was just one of the people in the Civil Rights Movement who demonstrated bravery and non-violence when she wouldn't give up her seat; she stood for what she believed in. Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and many others were trying to get this message across to all people without violence. We need to learn from what we've done and prevent it from happening again and also prevent violence.
2. I really enjoyed this even though it was hard to follow at points. Martin Luther King Jr. is such a famous person and it was interesting to see his views and try to get a better picture of the kind of person he was since our generation wasn't able to see him alive. It had a great life message for people to carry out and live by. I was able to learn a little history in an interesting and different way. He was trying to make a point and it really showed. I really enjoyed it because I really like learning about this kind of history especially in different ways.
3. Answering Steph's Q2: I think it was titled "Stride Toward Freedom" because publishing this book was a new step to their freedom. It allowed people to see what was really happening and it gave them a whole new outlook on it. Publishing this book was like taking a giant step or a "stride" towards freedom. It discussed an important "stride" of events which was key to their success.
My Question: Why do you think King focused on the Montgomery bus boycott in his book rather than any of the other many events he witnessed?