Process Paper
Choosing John Lewis and his impact on the Civil Rights movement was a simple and straightforward process. Early on, the group decided to hone in on someone in the Civil Rights realm. We asked our teacher, Mr. O'Neill, his opinion on a topic choice in Civil Rights, and after a few names circulated, Congressman John Lewis stuck. Information received in that small conversation hooked us, and we then personally investigated. After some superficial research, we were convinced Lewis would be our subject.
Research began with a basic Google search on Lewis to gain background information about him. We then split up as Alex focused in on some specific primary and secondary sources found online and in text, while Sam sifted through numerous videos featuring Lewis. There were a wide range of videos highlighting the contributions of Lewis today and some quality videos focusing in on the hardships he endured as a civil rights activist during the Civil Rights movement, and there were also in-depth texts about his tenure with SNCC. Later, we went into more in-depth research using sources such as the Library of Congress and Jstor. In addition, reputable information was found while reading books and from watching the movie, “Selma,” which depicted Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr’s struggles, especially on “Bloody Sunday.”
The process of choosing the presentation category was not difficult. The previous year we both did a website, separately, and Alex struggled with the cosmetics and media associated with the website, while Sam struggled with the content. The pairing was essentially a match made in heaven. Sam is skilled with computers, and it was decided decided it would be easiest to do a website because both of us are artistically challenged. In addition, it makes the process of completing the project easier, seeing that we both don’t need to be in the same place at the same time to get work done. “Trading off" with the poster board was not favorable in our opinions and the website option seemed to be the right fit for both of us.
John Lewis as a civil rights activist actively fits under the National History Day characterizations “leadership and legacy.” Lewis displays his leadership both during his stint as chairman of SNCC and in the work he's done away from SNCC, such as his congressional tenure. His abilities to lead protest are impeccable. Though his legacy left on the equality struggle is visible in the world today, his work isn't completely finished -- John Lewis's work won't be finished until the day each human is entirely equal.
428 words
Choosing John Lewis and his impact on the Civil Rights movement was a simple and straightforward process. Early on, the group decided to hone in on someone in the Civil Rights realm. We asked our teacher, Mr. O'Neill, his opinion on a topic choice in Civil Rights, and after a few names circulated, Congressman John Lewis stuck. Information received in that small conversation hooked us, and we then personally investigated. After some superficial research, we were convinced Lewis would be our subject.
Research began with a basic Google search on Lewis to gain background information about him. We then split up as Alex focused in on some specific primary and secondary sources found online and in text, while Sam sifted through numerous videos featuring Lewis. There were a wide range of videos highlighting the contributions of Lewis today and some quality videos focusing in on the hardships he endured as a civil rights activist during the Civil Rights movement, and there were also in-depth texts about his tenure with SNCC. Later, we went into more in-depth research using sources such as the Library of Congress and Jstor. In addition, reputable information was found while reading books and from watching the movie, “Selma,” which depicted Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr’s struggles, especially on “Bloody Sunday.”
The process of choosing the presentation category was not difficult. The previous year we both did a website, separately, and Alex struggled with the cosmetics and media associated with the website, while Sam struggled with the content. The pairing was essentially a match made in heaven. Sam is skilled with computers, and it was decided decided it would be easiest to do a website because both of us are artistically challenged. In addition, it makes the process of completing the project easier, seeing that we both don’t need to be in the same place at the same time to get work done. “Trading off" with the poster board was not favorable in our opinions and the website option seemed to be the right fit for both of us.
John Lewis as a civil rights activist actively fits under the National History Day characterizations “leadership and legacy.” Lewis displays his leadership both during his stint as chairman of SNCC and in the work he's done away from SNCC, such as his congressional tenure. His abilities to lead protest are impeccable. Though his legacy left on the equality struggle is visible in the world today, his work isn't completely finished -- John Lewis's work won't be finished until the day each human is entirely equal.
428 words