March on Washington August 28, 1963-August 28, 2013

"On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 Americans gathered in Washington, D.C., for a political rally known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organized by a number of civil rights and religious groups, the event was designed to shed light on the political and social challenges African Americans continued to face across the country. The march, which became a key moment in the growing struggle for civil rights in the United States, culminated in Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech, a spirited call for racial justice and equality." (history.com)
Your task today is to consider the progress (or lack thereof) that has occurred between that day in 1963 and today.  Please browse through a few of the links below.  Take some time to read some articles or look at some of the sites.  Some reflect back on the events of 1963 and others provide information about today.  After you have explored several sources, write a blog post about your findings.  What was interesting?  What are you struck by?  What's your opinion about the issues that are raised?  What is the state of MLK's "dream" today in 2013?  
When finished with your post, explore what your classmates have said on their blogs.  Comment on at least 2 others.

50 Years After: Economic Gap Persists
Witnesses to History
Civil Rights Battles in Black and White
The Legacy-Let the Rolex commercial run and then watch the 7:00 video.  Also scroll down to see what else is there.
Race in America, 50 Years After the Dream
Stats and Polling on Race in America\
10 Signposts on America's Race Journey
The Voting Rights Act: 50 Years Later

Let's Blog!!

Today you will all become part of what has become known as the blogosphere, a modern day adaptation of the public square.  In a tradition that has it's roots in early American society, the public comes together to explore the interesting and provocative ideas of the day.  In 2013, that universe has expanded to allow anyone's ideas to be put into the marketplace for the world to see or hear.  Today, you will set up your blog that will allow you to do just that.

What is a blog?

What does a blog look like?

·        Time’s best blogs of 2012

·         http://www.bestblogs.org/

·         http://blogs.botw.org/

·         http://blogsearch.google.com/

·         http://www.blogged.com/directory

Let’s make a blog! (Note-first step will to be to create a google account using your school email address).

·         https://www.blogger.com/start

Some things to consider-

• Choosing a design
• Including gadgets
• Warnings before going too far
  • Audience
  • Privacy - no full names, personal information
  • Expectations - tone, respect, acceptable topics

Blogging

• Writing posts
• Commenting on posts
• Incorporating images, video, links

Need help?     

·         http://www.google.com/support/blogger/

So, here are your ultimate tasks for today (and the weekend if you don't finish in class):

1.  Create a blog!
2.  Think of a catchy title.  Make sure you add a description of what you want your blog to be or to express.
3.  E-mail Mr. Kramer with the name of your blog and its URL address.  He will create a link to it on the class blog.
4. Write your first post.  The first can be about virtually anything-current events, a good movie you’ve seen recently, the first day of school, etc.  Spend some time with this.  It will be the first time for your followers to get to know you and your ideas thus you want them to have a good sense of your voice.
5. Comment on someone else's post.