Pathfinder




 * 757: Young Adult Materials **

This assignment was produced under guidelines appropriate age level, quality research, and engaging materials. I was able to choose from a supplied list of topics and had the choice of gearing the pathfinder to either high school students, middle school students, or both. Graphic made at @http://www.wordle.net/.

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** Searching for Civil Rights: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow ** ** A Pathfinder for High School Students ** ** Developed by Jennifer B. Thompson on July 17, 2012 **


 * Introduction **

Protecting a person's civil rights is a way to protect an individual's freedom to be who they are without the threat of discrimination. This pathfinder serves as a way for students to find information on civil rights, whether it be historical or contemporary. Although there are many facets of civil rights, this pathfinder focuses on the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968), its subsequent issues as well as more contemporary liberation movements, such as that of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ).


 * Print Resources **


 * __ Nonfiction Books __**

Andrew Helfer (written by) and Randy DuBurke (art by) (2006) //Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography//

In this graphic novel, readers can see a visual adaptation of Malcolm X's life. The text of the novel relies heavily on his own autobiography, entitled //The Autobiography// (1965) and co-written by Alex Haley. The reader follows Malcolm X as he grows from a young boy to a controversial leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X is a polar opposite of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but nevertheless an important player in U.S. history.

Betsy Kuhn (2011) //Gay Power! The Stonewall Riots and the Gay Rights Movement, 1969//

From the series “Civil Rights Struggles Around the World” comes a story of how gay men and women found strength to fight for who they are. In a time when a person could lose their job for being gay, a movement builds momentum after a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn was raided by police. This liberation movement started a trend of pride and soon sparked the openings of other openly gay owned businesses. This book serves as an excellent source of gay rights history and helps us to put the movement into perspective today.

Colin Hynson (2010) //The Civil Rights Movement (Timelines)//

This book offers a concise timeline of the Civil Rights Movement from the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. The book contains 21 key dates within the movement and also contains images and corresponding notes that serve to help readers understand the relationships that formed between and evolved from those key events.

Melba Pattillo Beals (2007) //Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High//

When Melba Pattillo was 16 years old, she was chosen as one of nine African American students to be integrated into Little Rock's Central High School. This book is her own account of how she faced ridicule by her fellow students and their parents. Readers will see how she found courage and strength during a time when it was dangerous for her just to attend high school.

Mikki Halpin (2004) //It's Your World -- If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teenagers//

No matter what your belief system may be, this book shows you how to make an impact, whether it is big or small. If you are interested in topics such as free speech, civil rights, environmentalism, or animal welfare this source provides you with practical information, details, websites to consult, and tips to help you change the world.


 * __ Fiction Books __**

Brendan Halpin and Emily Franklin (2012) //Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom//

In a small Indiana town, Tessa has a dream of going to the prom just like any other girl, but she finds getting what you want isn’t always easy. You see, Tessa is a lesbian and she wants to go to prom with her girlfriend, but a lot of people are upset about the prospect. This book is told by both Tessa and her best friend, Lucas, serving as a testament to the power of friendship and acceptance.

Harper Lee (1960) //To Kill a Mockingbird//

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel was published during the middle of the Civil Rights Movement and is considered to be a classic American novel. The book is narrated by Scout Finch whose father is a lawyer, appointed to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man accused of raping a young white woman. Because of this appointment, Scout and her family are subjected to ridicule and threats. Throughout the book, Scout is forced to see the world as it really can be and realizes how even the noblest of deeds may be punished.

Howard Cruse (1995) //Stuck Rubber Baby//

Stuck Rubber Baby is a graphic novel that takes place in the Southern United States during the 1960s. When Toland Peck is not able to join the U.S. Army because he has admitted to homosexual tendencies, he finds himself befriending a group of locals that want to advocate for civil rights by opening desegregated, gay friendly night clubs.

Mary Ann McGuigan (2009) //Morning in a Different Place //

This story begins in October 1963, one month before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The two main characters, Fiona and Yolanda, find themselves at odds with classmates and their families because of their interracial friendship in the turbulent times they live in. Their friendship, although both firmly rooted in the fact they both come from broken families, is put to the test when Fiona is accepted into a popular circle of white classmates.

Paul Volponi (2011) //Crossing Lines//

When a transgendered boy named Alan comes to a new school, joins the Fashion Club and wears lipstick, he is soon the bullying target of the school’s football team. Adonis is a member of the team who complacently goes along with the team’s pranks until he learns of a dangerous plan that may not only humiliate Alan but hurt him. Can Adonis learn that what makes a man is standing up for what you believe in?


 * Magazine and Newspaper Articles **

“Moving On -- Kids on the Bus: The Overlooked Role of Teenagers in the Civil-Rights Era” by Jeff Zaslow. Published on November 10, 2005 in the Wall Street Journal. Article can be found at []

Zaslow gives readers an introduction to some of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement -- teenagers. Within this article, he makes the point that to make civil rights issues relevant, students should know that people their own age were very much a part of making a difference in history.

“RFK and Civil Rights” by Judith E. Harper. Published in Cobblestone Magazine, May 2007 Vol. 28 Issue 5.

This article gives readers a concise introduction into how both President John F. Kennedy (JFK) and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), were involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Key events include the sending of U. S. Marshalls to protect James Meredith, an African American man, as he entered the University of Mississippi for the first time as a student in 1962. It also introduces readers to the consequences that both JFK and RFK faced for their political stances.

"The Day They Marched" by Lerone Bennet Jr. Published in Ebony Magazine, August 2003 Vol. 58 Issue 10.

This article provides factual information as well as the context in which the March on Washington took place on August 28, 1963. Helpful and interesting facts include number of participants, celebrity participants, speeches and activities held on that historical day.

“The Quiet Gay Revolution” by Michael Kinsley. Published in Time Magazine, June 25, 2007 Vol. 169, Issue 26.

Kinsley gives an overview of the achievements of gays since the 1970s and also makes note of the new interest being generated in gay rights and what that means both politically and socially. This article also includes information about the lives and activism of famous gays such as Ellen DeGeneres.

“Tools Against Homophobic Bullying” by Lisa Belkin. Published on October 1, 2010 in the New York Times. Article can be found at [] = = While this article is written in the “Parenting” section of the New York Times, it offers many resources that introduce readers to LGBTQ rights and gives information in how to deal with bullying. This article comes in response to the increased awareness that suicide rates of LGBTQ youth are four times higher than those of straight teens.


 * Internet Sites **

“Civil Rights in America: Connections to a Movement” []

The Clarion Ledger newspaper offers a dynamic website centering on the subject of Civil Rights. On the site you can find view videos, share stories, help others find those lost in the Jim Crow Era and the freedom rides. Viewing newspaper headlines from the paper at that pivotal time in U.S. history also serves as a way for you to be able to immerse yourself in that history.

“Civil Rights Speeches” []

Through the History channel’s website, you can gain access to video and audio clips of civil rights speeches and other news regarding the issue. Highlights include African Americans first voting in South Carolina primaries, the Brown vs. the Board of Education ruling and Bella Abzzug on Sexual Equality.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service” []

On this official U.S. Government website you can learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what it means to have a day of community service. The website offers information about how to plan and promote community service as well as offers a search function in which you can find a service event near you.

“Teen Activist” []

Teen Activist is a community made up of teens that are interested in learning about and promoting activism. You can find and write journal entries, write announcement, and find news related to all facets of activism, including civil rights, gay rights, disability rights and more. = = “Timeline: Civil Rights Era 1954-1971” []

On this site, you can view of a timeline of events that occurred during the Civil Rights Era. With each major event, you are given links to either a PBS or NPR talk in which you can listen to experts and activists discuss the milestones.


 * Audio-Visual Materials **

Bestor Cram and Judy Richardson (2008) // Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre, 1968 // = = This documentary focuses on a tragic even that occurred at South Carolina State College in 1968. Equivalent to the Kent State shootings in 1970, the Orangeburg Massacre was little talked about until this documentary, which uses archival footage and interviews to offer viewers insight into this tragedy.

George Stevens, Jr. (1991) //Separate But Equal//

This film is a dramatization of the events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement and the Supreme Court ruling against segregation. Sidney Poitier plays Thurgood Marshall, an important player in the Civil Rights Movement and the first African American justice of the Supreme Court.

Jeff Dupre (1998) //Out of the Past//

// Out of the Past // is a PBS funded documentary centering on a 17 year old girl named Kelli Peterson. Throughout the film, Peterson is struggling to form a Gay Straight Alliance at her school. It is this experience that is juxtaposed with images and stories of other gay and lesbian struggles, which gives viewers a comprehensive look at gay rights throughout U.S. history.

Kekla Magoon (2010) //The Rock and the River//, a Play Away [With Earbuds]

This novel by Kekla Magoon tells the story of Sam, a child of a peaceful Civil Rights advocate. Sam agrees with his father about the effectiveness of peaceful protest, but he soon becomes tired of standing by while watching other suffer. It is at this time that his good friend, Stick, finds an alternative solution to peaceful activism, which is the Black Panther movement.

Rob Epstein (1984) //The Times of Harvey Milk//

You may have seen the dramatic, Oscar winning film adaptation of the life of Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn, but did you know there was an Oscar winning documentary that came first? This film follows Harvey Milk as he struggles for gay rights and is elected San Francisco’s first gay councilor. Milk was assassinated by Supervisor Dan White in 1978 and this documentary uses archival footage and personal stories to accurately rebuild the atmosphere of that volatile time.


 * Keywords and Phrases for Searching **

contemporary civil rights young adults, civil rights timeline, lgbt civil rights, lgbt civil rights youth resources, teen activism, civil rights history for teenagers, civil rights speeches, civil rights today, Little Rock Nine, civil rights heroes, gay marriage, human rights, civil rights movies for high school, Brown vs. Board of Education, gay rights documentary, civil rights documentary, civil rights, gay rights