Chapter 19

Memory, History, and the March on Washington

Summary

      The author of this chapter actually witnessed the March on Washington; it helped define him, and he wished he could go back. He lived in Los Alamos and watched most of the main civil rights events from a distance, but he found himself wishing that he could join the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Although he went out of his shell and attended the University of New Mexico, he was still far away from the action. He was willing to join the march, but nervous about the "militancy" of others, such as Stokely Carmichael, an intense leader of the SNCC. 

      The SNCC "had defiantly established voter registration projects in those areas of the South where white supremacy was firmly entrenched," an important achievement for their civil rights campaign (305). They also held many public demonstrations, but attracted criticism for "[exerting] firm control over the event[s]" (306). This criticism of the march reshaped the author's views, as did the realization that the SNCC chair John Lewis' speech had been censored, although it was still powerful, urging "listeners to join the 'great social revolution sweeping our nation'" (308). Another memorable speaker was the legendary Martin Luther King Jr., although it was hard for the author to remember his initial impressions of the famous speech. He thought that King was a "cautious old leader," and he was more drawn to the more exciting actions of the SNCC. The author resented that, although King was obviously an important presence in the civil rights campaign, reporters focused more on him than on the hard work of the SNCC in the Deep South. He touched on his tendency to downplay King's historical significance, saying that without him, things probably would have followed a similar path. But gradually he began to realize that his perspective was limited; his appreciation for King has grown over time. Through editing his autobiography, he came to see the icon as a "vulnerable, fallible human being," and a "contemplative leader" (311). His speech was such a famous moment in history not only because of the importance of the words, but also because of King's "ability to excite the emotions of audiences through compelling words that expressed their best ideals" (313). The author concludes by reflecting on how the speech and the march were so significant, and how he felt part of a movement "that would make the world better" (316). 

Reflection

      I agree with the author that King would be pleased with what has happened in the past few decades, although he would have appreciated people keeping on his legacy more than a simple, tangible memorial. I also wish that I could have been there to witness King's speech and to be a part of such an "inexorable movement" that bettered the world and changed people's lives (316). 

      Another quote that stood out to me was Lewis' question, "Where is the political party that will make it unnecessary to have Marches on Washington?" (308). It's sad and unfair that his speech about rights had to be censored. Don't people have the right to free speech?