Teachable Moment: 50th anniversary of Civil Rights Act and the Summer of Freedom

President Lyndon Johnson gives Dr. Martin Luther King the pen he used to signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

Our democracy has a summer of freedom every year. The dynamic struggles of generation after generation to grow and maintain essential definitions of the rights and privileges of  all Americans will never end. But 1964 was a nuclear detonation of fervor, focus and courage. The nation participated in the most important declaration of democracy in history, even more so than July 4, 1776. This declaration came from the minds and souls of the people of all demographics for the purpose of showing the world and all of history who America truly is.  A declaration of democracy certainly not to avoid taxes, but to solidify the rights of citizenship for Americans in 1964 and the future. The legislation in the year 1964 culminated and also created the efforts previous and imminent for not just African Americans, but for women, the disabled and special needs population and all future citizens who join the American endeavor. Folks from all walks of life laid their lives and fortunes on the line, including President Lyndon Johnson, a long time Civil Rights advocate, who fully realized the southern branch of his party would abandon him. Young northerners of all religions and races came south, some to lose their lives to racism, to participate in the events of democracy. Let's honor these and learn from them as our democratic opportunities for the Summer of 2014 are here. Teach a child, comment on articles on the internet, vote, go to town meetings, volunteer. You are free, you are American. You make a difference.

Civil Rights Act hits 50th anniversary

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/civil-rights-act-hits-50th-anniversary-article-1.1853142 

John Lewis and President Obama.

Statement by the President on the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/07/02/statement-president-50th-anniversary-civil-rights-act-1964 

Congress marks 50th anniversary of Civil Rights Act

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/24/civil-rights-act-anniversary/11332243/ 

Many doubt 1964 Civil Rights Act could pass today

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/08/politics/lbj-civil-rights-act-50th-anniversary/ 

Five living presidents meet to mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

Civil Rights Act of 1964 marks 50th anniversary

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/civil-rights-act-of-1964-marks-50th-anniversary/

 NOLA marks 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act of 1964

http://www.fox8live.com/story/25930198/nola-marks-50th-anniversary-of-civil-rights-act-of-1964 

  The 59th Anniversary Mississippi Freedom Summer

http://freedom50.org/

Freedom Summer veterans say rights fight defined themhttp://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/27/freedom-summer-50th-civil-rights/11566365/

‘Freedom Summer’ is not just black history. It is an ongoing American story in black and white – for all of us

 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/30/freedom-summer-black-history-america

Retracing a summer of terror -- and freedom

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/20/us/freedom-summer-anniversary-documentary/ 

Q&A: Widow of Murdered Civil Rights Leader Medgar Evers Moves Beyond Hatredhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140625-myrlie-evers-widow-medgar-evers-civil-rights-history/?utm_source=GooglePlus&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_gp20140625news-civlmedgar&utm_campaign=Content

Remembering ‘Freedom Summer,’ the civil rights effort that changed America 50 years ago

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/recalling-freedom-summer-civil-rights-campaign-changed-america-50-years-ago/ 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have a Dream 1963  http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm