"One More River to Cross" -- Charles Lawrence

Premise:

• ignorance
• inequality
• privelage
• american schools
• segragation/desegregation
• students
• labeling

Argument:

• Lawrence argues that the presence of segregation is an ever present issue that isn't going to just disappear and that those who are opressed must keep full sight of their goals and keep old of their self-evident truths of equality.

Evidence:

• "The oppressor's understanding of his oppression is limited by self-interest, and ultimately we must find ways to make our oppression operate against the self-interest of those in power." (pg. 293)
• "Once the state has effectively institutionalized racial segregation as a labeling device, only minimal maintenance is required". (pg. 286)
• " ...keep these self-evidant truths clear in our minds. Too often we have been sidetracked in our struggle becuase we have lost sight of our goal, or accepted the oppressor's definitions, or mistaken the means for the ends." (p. 293)

Questions/Comments:

• I don't know why, but his particular statement got me... “Segregation is organic and self-perpetuating. Once established it will not be eliminated by mere removal of public sanction but must be affirmatively destroyed.” - it reminds of Martin Luther King Jr. and his protest before and after the civil rights act. That he knew that they needed to pursue not just "equality" but freedom.
• I think its interesting that Lawrence referances self-evident truths. ie.) Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?? - or is he describing his own self-evident truths...?