March on Washington- 1963-2913

Mrs. Guilford attended the August 28th, 1963 March on Washington (below picture on left). She described the march and related it to the August 28th, 2013 50th Anniversary March. Christina and her classmates will be meeting at the White House with speechwriters who worked on President Obama's 50th Anniversary speech. This discussion took place September 25th, 2013.

Mrs. Guilford shows students her picture in a magazine about the 1963 March on Washington.

Audrey- What were you thinking when you heard Martin Luther King give his I Have A Dream speech? ANSWER- Well I actually heard it twice. He gave the speech in Detroit in July of 1963 so I heard it twice. I was surprised I hearing it again.

Charles- At the 50th anniversary March on Washington there was a lot of talk about progress made and what still has to take place. What was the most dramatic progress you have seen since 1963 and what do you think still needs to be done? ANSWER-

Kevin- Did you find it hypocritical of President Obama to be giving a speech honoring non-violent civil rights activists while at the same time planning a possible attack on Syria? ANSWER- I don't think it was hypocritical because he had the speech planned ahead of time and I don't think he really wanted the attack but was speaking for the people.

Matt- On October 9th we are going to see HHS grad Kyle O'Connor and now speechwriter for President Obama. Did you know Kyle when you worked here and do you have any problem with a white man helping to write a speech for the first black president who is honoring Martin Luther King? ANSWER- I did not know Kyle but I'm looking forward to meeting him. I have no problems with that. Many people write speeches on behalf of or with people in higher positions.

Edith- What do you think Martin Luther King’s response would have been to the Boston Marathon terrorist attack? ANSWER- He would have been horrified. He learned from Gandhi the idea of non-violence in response to wrongs.

Collin- With JFK's assassination occurring just a few months after Martin Luther King's speech did your family fear equality may not ever be met between the races? ANSWER- I was saddened by his death but we thought there would be equality.

Mumin- In 1963 President Kennedy said "The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the State in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college," Do you think a black baby born today has the same opportunities as a white baby born today? ANSWER- I would like to think so but it depends on who is making the decision regarding those opportunities.

Kennia (right)- Mr. Graney refers to Congressman John Lewis as "The Greatest Living American." We know that you have met Mr. Lewis. Do you view him that way and in general what do you think of Mr. Lewis? ANSWER- I thought that Mr. Lewis was a very humble man especially when I asked him if I could take my picture with him. I admire that he continues to move forward even at his age. Mr. Lewis is a very special person that never gave up trying to accomplish his goals.

Chyenne (center)- Have you faced discrimination since you have been a child? ANSWER- Yes. I've seen woman sort of clutch or hide their purses when I walk by. Now what do they think I'm going to do???

Paria (right)- Did you attend or watch President Obama's 50th Anniversary speech and if so, what did you think of it?

ANSWER- I did not attend the speech but I did watch it and enjoyed it. However my favorite speeches that Obama gave were his inauguration and his race speech during the 2008 campaign.

Aisha (- Was there one line from the I Have A Dream speech that you particularly remember? ANSWER- I remember him saying "When my four little children...." Since I was still a child I paid attention.

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Cierra- In the days and weeks that followed the original March on Washington, did you see America changing? ANSWER-

Mrs. Guilford- Never be complacent. Exercise your rights. Vote! Get involved!