Freedom Riders Honored; Katie Feldhaus

¶ … Freedom Riders Honored; Katie Feldhaus (2011) talks about the impact that Freedom Riders would have on the Civil Rights Movement. These were students and various individuals who were opposed to the Jim Crow laws in the South. During the early 1960's, a wide variety of people from all racial backgrounds intentionally went to these areas to break these segregation laws. In response to these acts of civil disobedience that were occurring many individuals were: imprisoned and attacked. as, they were: risking their lives and their freedom to make a difference.

The article is a reflection of the sacrifice that many individuals made during this time. as, it is discussing these struggles from: the viewpoint of the people who participated in the ride itself. Where, they talk about how they felt and the kind of hardships that they had to endure, as part of their desire to address the injustices that were occurring.

An example of this can be seen with comments from Congressman John Lewis who said, "Boarding that Greyhound bus to travel to the heart of the Deep South, I felt good, I felt happy, I felt liberated. I was like a soldier in a nonviolent army. The Freedom Riders changed America forever." (Feldhaus, 2011) This is important, because it is illustrating the overall focus of the article. Obviously, the group of Freedom Riders was presented in a positive light. The reporting was: both biased and unbiased to a certain extent.

The way that it was biased, is when it was discussing the struggles that these individuals were going through at the time. Where, it is painting these people as modern day heroes, who changed the world forever. Yet, beneath the surface some of the actions that they were taking, directly challenged the status quo and the institutions that it represented. In this aspect, one could argue that there was a certain amount of bias in the article, because they are making these individuals appear to be larger than life.

When in reality, they are just ordinary people who were trying to make a difference (based upon what they believed). They did not know the outcome of: their actions or if they would have an impact upon society. Instead, they were reacting to the frustrations that they were feeling from the system the only way they could (civil disobedience). This is important, because it is showing how there is a certain amount of historical bias in the article.

(Feldhaus, 2011) The way it is unbiased is: by looking at these events from more of a neutral standpoint. In this situation, the author is examining the long-term impact that the Freedom Riders had on America and the world. as, they were a part of: a larger movement that would no longer stand for the injustices that were taking place. This served as a blueprint for how oppressed minorities and opposition groups would stand up to: the very institutions that were discriminating against them.

Over the course of time, these actions of civil disobedience meant that a shift would take place in: how the issue of freedom and civil rights were discussed. (Feldhaus, 2011) A good example of this can be seen with comments from the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (Emanuel Cleaver). Who said, "Almost every movement that has taken place since the civil rights movement received its mojo from the men and women who you will see tonight.

Whether the movement began in South Africa or Eastern Europe, they looked at the success of the Freedom Riders and saw the success of the men and women who put themselves on the line in order to create a new kind of freedom and a new kind of revolution, a nonviolent revolution." (Feldhaus, 2011) This is significant, because it is showing how the article is taking an unbiased view of these events by: examining the different ways they would influence history.

As a result, one could argue that this kind of reporting is presenting the issue from: the viewpoint of a historian looking back on the events that have occurred. This gives the reader, a greater understanding of how this influenced the society that we live in today. (Feldhaus, 2011) The best sociological theory that can describe the views that are being reported in the article is functionalism. This is when each of the different parts of society, is independent from one another.

as, everyone is working together to: create the whole of society itself and the values that it will represent. There are two basic elements of this theory that will allow social cohesion to take place these include: mechanical and organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity is when people are: embracing the same kind of values and engage in similar kinds of social / work related activities that will support these views. Organic solidarity is when people are independent from one another, but they maintain the same core principals and beliefs as everyone else.

("Functionalism," 2000) ("Three Major Perspectives in Sociology," 2011) When you apply the theory to the article itself, it is clear that this point-of-view is being used to illustrate how the Freedom Riders were able to change society. In.