Chicano Student Protest in the US History - Essay Example

Part Chicago Protest There were numerous political and activist movements in the history of the US from fifties to the seventies. One of the conflicts that suffocated the climate of political and activist arena was on Vietnam War and racial segregation. Chicago student protest was among the various stages that were used to channel grievances. The Chicano student protest was characterized by young teenagers taking adult decision to end segregation and fight for quality education which was a worthy course. That was brevity beyond their years. The system was so discriminatory in that some skills were preserved for a particular race. Those students with Mexican origin were perceived to be only perfect in manual work manipulated by the hands. The Supreme Court had given a directive towards the call for desegregation yet even the teachers presumed that the colored students were predestined to work with their hands and not their minds. The white students did not participate in the protest apparently because their conscious might have blinded they were superior to other student races. In fact, the system of segregation favored them. Parents to multi-cultured students had lost hope to ever witnessing their children possessing titles (Minnesota Historical Society). Examination of Kennedy, McCarthy, Humphrey, Wallace or Nixon campaigns McCarthy was a seasoned politician whose ideologies resonated with capitalism. He wedged a fierce campaign against communism and would criticize the government by claiming the existence of communist sympathizers within the government ranks. That was a platform that elevated him to higher political stature. What leaves more questions than answers is that was his aggravation for anti-communism driven by self-political interest or inner intuitions on the ideal system (Michael 31). On the other hand, Kennedy was a political realism. His sudden change of decision to support civil right movement during his presidential campaign must have been prompted by the need to lure the black vote. He had promised to act swiftly on discriminatory acts within the country if elected (Michael 33). Humphrey was politically liberal minded. Even though he attempted for the second time to vie for presidency, he had always been lenient to civil right movement and called for an end to racial discrimination (Minnesota Historical Society). Wallace believed in white supremacy. He had adhered himself to a particular group (as his constituent of voters) by supporting segregation. His famous quote elaborated his giving the segregation was their then; it was to be there the following day and in the future as well. He had also promised to end the Vietnam within the 90 days of assuming office (Minnesota Historical Society). Finally, Nixon during the presidential campaigns strategically portrayed himself as a stability figure due to the increasing outrages in the country. His slogan was resonated as a social conservative. He never elaborated his claims and strategies on how he would end the Vietnam War (Minnesota Historical Society). Demonstration outside the Democratic National Convention The nation was outraged by the happenings before the Democratic National Convention. The killings of prominent personality such as Martin Luther King Jr (a civil right activist) and Robert Kennedy (a politician who had just won an election) coupled with the calls for an end to war on Vietnam were some of the leading causes of the nasty protest that was witness worldwide. President Johnson was perceived to be playing divisive politics created disunity among the Democrats in the Democratic Party. In addition, Humphrey was also perceived to have the president’s backing who despite his declining popularity had a considerable influence in the party. Besides, many Democrats were concerned about the ongoing Chicago telephone protest or strike to impact logistically on the planned presidential nomination exercise (Michael 36). Weathermen/Weather Underground In 1969, the weatherman underground largely associated with Student for a Democratic Society (SDS) was driven by the desire to overthrow the government throw a revolutionary party. It was also related to the black power and the anti-Vietnam War protest. Besides, their other stances were to engage in the struggle for a free prejudice or discriminatory society (Michael 34). The largest anti-war demonstration ever in Washington on November 15, 1969 President Nixon in his election campaign promised to withdraw US troops in Vietnam. However, by November 15, that had not happened. The Moratorium Committee therefore staged the largest anti-war protest in the US, which was largely peaceful in the US capital. Interestingly, other cities also staged protest on that particular day with little violent activities being witness. The main reason behind the protest was to pressurize the government on the need to withdraw its troop from Vietnam (Michael 36). Judge Hoffman’s courtroom-the Chicago 8 trial Following the Chicago protest, eight individuals were reprimanded and tried before Judge Hoffman for instigating riots and violence. Some of those on trial were Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin (hippie leaders), Tom Hayden and Rennie Davis (activists), Bobby Seale (Black Panther Party leader), and David Dellinger (liberal). The trial later became Chicago seven as Seale was later released. The population had perceived the trial as uncalled for since the protest in question was in good faith for the progress of the nation (Michael 35). Black Panthers movement The Black Panther Party was a radical group which had been instituted to help in the struggle against racial discrimination as well as a movement to monitor the brutality of the police force in the US. Moreover, it also played a significant contribution in the calls for ant-Vietnam war. One of the major channels of acquiring resources (funds) was through conducting fundraisers (Minnesota Historical Society). Implications of protest The dark sides of the various protests were often characterized by heinous acts such as the destruction of property. An example that illustrates that is the burning down of the Istla Vista’s Bank of America by students. In addition to that the Kent State shooting and the Cambodia incursions were the repercussions of an era that was characterized by protest (Michael 32). President Nixon through Henry Kissinger began creating a relationship with the Chinese government. The main intention was to counter the communist ideologies that had grasped most parts of China through the Communist China (Annenberg Para 20). Part 2 Review of elections from 1956 to 1972 In a democratic society, people should vote based on their convictions by sieving their opinions on candidates running for offices in the screen of reality and truth. One’s candidate may not be popular, but that should not sway anybody to vote contrary to his or her beliefs. Remember better leaders are normally elected by those who turn up for voting. 1n the 1956 presidential election, the candidate that emerged victories was president Dwight D. Eisenhower. This was despite health-related conditions that the president had suffered from. He must have obtained a lot of sympathy votes. However, the US political system proved futile as it was next to impossible to challenge an incumbent president. The incumbents were usually accused of using state resources to consolidate power in their re-election bid. The democrats and the republicans have always dominated the presidential system interchangeably. It has become almost impossible for other candidates outside these two parties to acquire power however much nutritious a candidate’s policy is (Michael 35). The 1960 election was interesting since despite Nixon winning the in the popular vote, J.F Kennedy won through the Electoral College system. Kennedy’s victory was due to the economic recession witness during the previous Republican tenure. This impacted negatively on the Republican policies as Nixon was perceived as an incumbent of the previous system. The death of President Kennedy catapulted the election of President Johnson whose main competitor was Barry Goldwater. President Johnson had smeared Goldwater to be an extremist and conservative. Moreover, it proved difficult for Goldwater to wedge a serious campaign against a candidate that had relied on the slain charismatic presidents policies (Michael 37). In 1968, the main presidential contenders were Richard Nixon-Republican, Hubert Humphrey-Democrat, and George Wallace-American independent. Wallace ascendancy was next to impossible as he was an extremist as he had earlier supported the segregation policy. That was an act that had put him in conflict with other races that were aggravating for social justice. Besides that, the history of the US election rarely favored candidates outside republican or democrat parties. It was unfortunate for Humphrey to lose the elections as he was previously vocal on the calls for an end to racial segregation and also fought for the protection of civil rights. However, the election was so close and despite Wallace knowing he would not win, he had convictions that he would use his status of the election as a bargaining leverage to decide the victor (Michael 37). For the 1972 election, the main candidates were Richard Nixon the incumbent and Senator Gorge McGovern, who were a republican and a democrat respectively. President Nixon won a resounding victory as George was not only perceived to be an extremist but also his foreign policies did not resonate well with the American population (Michael 38). The other significant contributing factor in the various elections from 1956 to 1972 was the choice of running mate. The presidential candidates had the nightmare of choosing the candidates that would compliment them to victory (Michael 40). Works Cited: Minnesota Historical Society. The 1968 Exhibit: Desktop Timeline. Web 09th March 2015< http://the1968exhibit.org/1968-timeline/desktop> Michael, Margolis. From Confusion to Confusion: Issues and the American Voter (1956– 1972). American Political Science Review 71, 1 (1977): 31-43.Print Annenberg. Getting to Beijing: Henry Kissingers Secret 1971 Trip. Web 09th March 2015 < http://china.usc.edu/getting-beijing-henry-kissingers-secret-1971-trip> Read More