Watergate Forces The President To His Knees

Image: 'Dick Nixon by Norman Rock' 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7874636@N04/2461730569

This chapter caught my attention because it's crazy to see how some people can abuse power. In this chapter we learn about how Richard Nixon and his political team used their power to take part in many illegal activities. The Watergate Scandal eventually forced President Nixon to resign from office. The Fourth Estate is the main reason Nixon was forced to resign. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who worked for Washington Post were sent to investigate the burglary at Watergate. Their investigative reporting and help from outside sources such as  W. Mark Felt, who was an FBI official, helped take Nixon down. So I find myself thinking about who can I trust? Do the officials in office really always do what's best for our society? That's where Journalists come into play. I believe it's our job to find out what's really going on.

Image: '"I won't resign"' 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45750259@N05/4970172070

I like this picture above, because I bet Nixon didn't really think the Fourth Estate would find out the truth about the scandal he pulled.

So I find that we learn a valuable lesson while reading this chapter, if you believe something isn't right, investigate it. Try to find the truth, you may never know what you may uncover. It might be hard to prove your point, but never give up. That's what I have learned from this chapter. If I feel like something is wrong with our government, our society, etc. I want to get to the bottom of it. For example, we all know about Occupy Wall Street. Most people who are getting out of colleges and paying thousands of dollars, can't even get a job. So we fight and stand for our rights to take the higher power, and investigate what is really going on with Occupy Wall Street. 

Chapter: 7 Defying the Ku Klux Klan

What are Hate Crimes? Do they still exist today in society? 

Hate crimes are crimes motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, typically one involving violence. One example of a group that commits hate crimes is the organization called the Ku Klux Klan. 

                Image: '16KKKwCross-burning' 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304375@N07/2534294657

"The Ku Klux Klan has become a vast enterprise, doing a thriving business in systematic sale of race hatred, religious bigotry, and '100 percent' anti-Americanism."

The KKK was first formed down south in the late 1800's by veterans of the Confederate Army, the KKK was an organization that used violence and threats to restore their rights. This group committed murders and began to have such power over government and society because of how large in number the group was becoming. These crimes were against, all blacks, white Republicans and jews. The KKK wanted to stop the rights of the slaves, and their religious beliefs. The members of the KKK also didn't like the religious views of the Catholics. In Mightier Than The Sword, Roger Streithmatter speaks about how Journalism paved the way for the Ku Klux Klan being noticed. One of the first newspapers to have articles about the KKK was the Commerical Appeal, this newspaper displayed cartoons and reporting of the events that were taking place in Tennessee city. 

This picture is from Harpers Weeky Newspaper of African Americans and how the KKK treated them.

(Source:http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/photos/html/1010.html)

The Newspaper The New York World covered the story about the Klan and all of the violent crimes they were creating. This news spread all throughout New York City, getting more and more people to learn what the KKK was all about. Unfortunately, the world reached so many readers and helped the Klan gain more members. Many people in society have never heard of the Klan until the World reported about the violent acts they were occurring down south. 

This topic of hate crimes and the KKK chapter peaked my interest because of how many hate crimes still happen today. I think its so unnecessary to have any type of hate towards someone because of who they are. Not to long ago in November 2011 there was a hate crime that took place in Brooklyn, NY, where three cars were torched on fire, and the street was destroyed. Vulgar words were sprayed on the vehicles and park benches, referring to Jews. I can't imagine waking up and looking outside my window and seeing my street destroyed by people that hate me, who don't even know me. It's scary that there are people in the world who have such hate towards others. 

(Source: www.dailymail.com) 

This picture was found at the crime scene, from November 2011 in Brookyln, NY. The letters K.K.K are sprayed on the van.

The Women's Suffrage Movement

What are Rights? Do woman and men have equal rights? It has taken a long time for women to have a right to vote, to own property and to have a voice.

(This photo is from Womenshistory.about.com)

This Political cartoon shows how the role of the man and woman are reversed. It represents how women wanted to be able to have to same roles as men, when it came to voting. Women were mocked by men in society, in Life Magazine men wrote about how women should be allowed no rights and there only purpose was the please their husbands. This was one way journalism helped spread the word of the Women's Suffrage Movement. 


Many women decided to speak up about how they wanted to have the same equal rights as men did. Women were to obey their husbands and their main purpose was the keep their husbands happy. A few important women, such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, were the first to fight for the right of women to vote. 

( Source from: www.rochester.edu/sba/womensfriendship.html)

July 19-20, 1848-Seneca Falls is where the two women Anthony and Stanton began to secure for the right for women to vote. Anthony and Stanton believed in fighting for the rights of women.

Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton Inspired each other to fight for change, which started a powerful friendship. These women set forth rights for women today. 

(Source from: thepoliticalcarnival.net)

Anthony & Stanton helped pave the way for women today. Abortion is a huge topic that many women feel strongly about. Having Rights of Abortion is a women's choice.

This Chapter, Slowing The Momentum For Women's Rights relates to me because I have the rights that I have today because of the women who fought for what they believed in.