Berkeley in the Sixties, Research Paper Example

The name of the film reviewed is” Berkeley in the Sixties”. The producer, Mark Kicthell made this film in May 1990. The film concentrates on 1960 movements on freedom of speech rights in the United States. The film won critical acclaim for the Freedom of Speech documentary.

Why did I select this film?

The film was selected because it clearly provides the foundation for freedom of speech that is still applied in our current era. In the media, an attorney represented a family that had different license plates. The state of Virginia perceived the plates to be vulgar or insinuate sexual meanings. This banned includes city names like Saudia or German is not allowed. This event convinced me to learn more about freedom of speech and its origins. There are some many opinions about the fine line between what a violation of freedom of speech is and what is not. The film provides a very solid foundation on freedom of speech. I selected this film because I wanted to understand the violations of censorship and political freedom. The Berkeley students believe that every citizen of the United States has the constitutional choice to support or participate in any political organization of their own choosing. In addition, the new Berkeley Student Movement as against any previous or past actions of the government.

Had I seen this film before?

This was this first time I viewed the Berkeley in the Sixties documentary, which had a profound impact on the way, I viewed freedom of speech. I had heard about the Berkeley of the Sixties but never ventured to watch the entire film.

What was the film’s purpose or thesis?

The films purpose is the analysis of the Freedom of Speech Social Movement against the House Un-America Activities Committee. In addition, to a social commentary on racial discrimination in the workplace. The film wanted to expose the Sheraton Hotel hiring practices and the mistreatment of black workers. The secondary purpose was to change the hiring practices to treat everyone equally regardless of race, color, or creed. The demonstration wanted long time tenured black employees to be allowed to be promoted in management and executive positions. There were several purposes of this film that included. They believe that the prosecuting anyone person that chose Communism as their political beliefs in the United States should be accepted not accused of treason. Another purpose of the documentary was to discuss how the students teamed with the Civil Rights organization to fight against discriminatory practices by the Sheraton Hotel.

Was it clear or did you have to infer it?

It was inferred that the committee was a witch-hunt to discredit anyone who was connected or supported any facet of communism.It was very clear that the film was addressing social issues, political rights, the educational system censorship and hiring equality for all people.

Who was the primary audience for this film?

The audience was the United States of America public because they wanted to show the unethical and unconstitutional actions of the committee. The audience was American families, politicians, citizens of California and any social party in the United States.

Was the format strictly documentary or were there some dramatic reactions?

The film producer utilizes both dramatic recreations with narratives along with convincing real footage about the freedom of speech movement. They utilize the reel footage to make a point about the improper use of power by the committee because it gave credibility versus someone telling the story with second hand information. The recreations with narratives were powerful because the narrators were a part of the freedom speech movement along with giving first-hand knowledge of what happen.

The documentary dispelled any bias in a film that many film directors are accused of leaning for or against the social issue. In addition, it was dramatic to see thousands of students engaged in a demonstration for 38 hours straight because they believe their constitutionals rights were being violated because they would not let them speak freely on campus. One truly dramatic and effective filming of the President of the University of California not allowing any student to use the telegraph office because that was the way they communicated with the freedom of speech supports and organizers. This was a blatant act of violating all the students’ rights who not involved with the demonstrations, which sent a message that freedom of speech violations cannot be taken lightly in the public eye.

How does this film relate to what you are learning in the SS1A course lectures or readings?

The course discussed the social implications and how the world works. The Berkeley in the Sixties is a social commentary on how we interact with each other concerning opposite opinions. The social statement the movies make is that all people are created equal by the constitutional laws. However, our society broke these constitutional laws concerning hiring employees on equal terms. The social and political foundation of the film discussed some the social implications in our society in the 1960s and that exist today. The social commentary is that all races fought the Sheraton to change their racist hiring practices and the lack of promoting blacks into management positions. The social phenomenon was how young students from the 1960s made some many changes with non-violent demonstration that change the direction of freedom of speech in the United States. The students became great legends because they became social conscious during a time when the administration and government determine when freedom of speech could be applied. These brave students have left a footprint in history that shows that the people of a society can make positive changes without war or violence.

Which specific social science concepts, from this class or your readings, are helpful for understanding the film?

The sociology of the 1960 culture relates to our discussions about the impact of social behavior and its origins. The demonstrations in an academic environment were not the norm in 1960 while the society belief that student did not have the right to bring social and political activities into an educational environment. This film was a perfect example of social order, social disorder, and how students made a social change paradigm shift for the entire country.

What was your reaction to this film?

My reaction was one of outraged because of the many society changes that have been made that that violate freedom of speech constitutional rights today. The best example today is the Internet posting of negative information about a person. The information is public for the whole world to see however, the government is trying to prosecute citizens for expressing their thoughts.

There are limitations that reach far to the left however; the basic right to freedom of speech in Facebook should not be violated. There are government organizations in 2014 that use the Facebook or Twitter to censor certain groups if their beliefs are contrary to the norm. The is similar to the Berkeley demonstration that the University of California tried to keep political and social issues off the campuses by limiting the freedom of speech of students. In the Berkley movie, the students were protesting any censorship of political freedom. The Berkeley students believe that every citizen of the United States has the constitutional choice to support or participate in any political organization of their own choosing.

The same premise today, if a US citizens post beliefs in non-popular religious and political beliefs should not be arrested or investigate because their political and religious beliefs are different. There was a case in the United States this year, where a man was prosecuted because he was a Federal government employee that promoted communism in his own time. It was assumed that the citizen was releasing the US trade secrets and may be prosecuted for treason. It appeared he was visiting Russia, he had a Russian wife, and his children spend time in Russia, so he must be a traitor. In retrospect, the Berkeley students were fighting against the same thing. The Berkeley students want their freedom of rights restored per the constitution along with removal of any actions that resembled McCarthyism. McCarthyism is the practice that the Berkeley students were protesting. They believe that the prosecuting anyone person that chose Communism as their political beliefs in the United States should be accepted not accused of treason. My response to the film is close to home because my neighbor is who is against abortions. They constantly put signs in the yard right next to the Baptist Church. The property line is very thin so the Baptist church used a city ordinance about inappropriate signs in the neighborhood that incite violence.

The convent of restrictions they sign to live in that neighborhood to take down the abortion signs ordered the neighbor. The bottom line freedom of speech is still being attacked and violated because they have the right to display whatever signs they want in their own yard. It was offensive to the church. This is a perfect example of the violation of freedom of speech and expression that is destroying the foundation of our legislative laws.

In our society today, we are experiencing the new generation fighting for their freedom of speech rights. The new Internet attacks concerning what websites or social networks can be shut down or censored is a direct violation of the freedom of speech.

The following is a list of freedom of speeches issues that is my reaction to the violations of the constitution in our current society:

• Not allowing citizens to choose the names on their car tags is censorship, which is a violation of freedom of speech
• Any legislation to censor or shut down a Conservative Radio show may say because they cause problems in society is still a violation of freedom of speech it’s called the Family Doctrine
• The man in New York Plaza selling brochures on living in the Bahamas Islands because America is racist cannot be arrested for speaking his mind that is violation of freedom of speech
• The students break into the print room at the college and they printed 2000 copies of rules they felt the college was breaking. As a result, the college locked all the printer rooms and students had to scramble off campus for copies. Deny access to the printer rooms and they pay tuition for that access is violation of freedom of speech. The school admitted they did not like what was printed on the copies.
• Students printed small fetus that was being destroyed and put them all over the school campus, the students were expelled because of the vulgar pictures and were not allowed to print any more flyers. This was a blatant violation of freedom of speech.
• Colleges are a breeding ground for freedom of speech violations because they believe they are above the law. The college wanted students to sign and abide by civility clause before starting college in California. A student stomped on a flag of a racist country and the school disciplines him by making him agree never to do it again. The student sued and won because the college was suppressing his freedom of expression.
• The students posted a comedy statement that was offensive to some students so the school banned them from posting any type of notice or written documentation around the campus or be suspended. The student’s freedom of speech and expression was violated.

How did the student protests start?What were the students protesting? What did they want?

The protested started in May of 1960 when the Berkeley students started a demonstration against the House Un-American Activities Committee that was set-up to stop any communist activities or anyone associated with communism. They were protesting any censorship of political freedom. The Berkeley students believe that every citizen of the United States has the constitutional choice to support or participate in any political organization of their own choosing. In addition, the new Berkeley Student Movement as against any previous or past actions of the government including the 50’s, where the government labeled any individual, group or organization that when against the beliefs of the Unites States as enemies of the state. The Berkeley students want their freedom of rights restored per the constitution along with removal of any actions that resembled McCarthyism. McCarthyism is the practice that the Berkeley students were protesting. They believe that the prosecuting anyone person that chose Communism as their political beliefs in the United States should be accepted not accused of treason. The primary reason the Berkeley students formed the protest is because they were barred from attending the meetings by the House Un-American Activities Committee. The students believed they had the constitutional right as Berkeley students to listen, participate, and make arguments during these preceding. The censorship of the meetings provided a platform for the Berkeley students to bring their voices to the forefront.

What was the House Un-American Activities Committee (in the 1960s)?

The House Committee on Un-American Activitiesalso known as the (HUAC). This government investigative committee was commission by the House of Representative to find and punish any person associated with the Nazi party. However, the HUAC quickly built the unpopular reputation as a committee that move aware from the intended purpose to one of censorship, private and public attacks against any other political group that was not mainstream or any American that was believed to be a supporter of Communism. This organization (HUAC) was illegally and against the constitution prosecuting people of the United States because they had different political views. This committee claimed that anyone that helped or knew about the communist parties leaders was in fact a communist. The HUAC made sure that American’s understood that this was an attack by the communist party to destroy the HUAC and to make sure that Berkeley students worked in conjunction with the communist to overthrow the government.

What was Operation Abolition?

The Operation Abolition was a movie documentary created by the House Committee on Un-American Activities, also known as HUAC). The documentary was a commentary focused on destroying the credibility of the Berkeley students as communist’s supports. The movie was based on the May 1960, HUAC meeting in the San Francisco’s City Hall. The Berkeley students protested peacefully outside the building hoping their voices would be heard concerning theviolations of theirconstitution rights. The Operation Abolitiondocumentary provided some footage that falsely showed the Berkeley students alongside the Communist party leaders. The documentary was complete a one-sided presenting the Berkeley students as communist that wanted to help the communist infiltrate and weaken the FBI while supporting the communist with destroying the HUAC in the public eye. The opinions of the films narrator Francis E. Walter, who was the Chairman of the HUAC, made sure the Berkeley students were portrayed as Un-American The documentary was seen by approximately 15 million people. (Freeman, 2014). The government allowed the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) to create a documentary to make Americans think the Berkeley students was communist that stood side by side with communist. The scare tactic by the House Committee on Un-Americanwas deliberately trying to cast a negative public image of Berkeley students (Conelrad, 2005).

Who spoke on behalf of the University of California?

It was Dr. Clark Kerr, the president of the University of California. Dr. Kerr had a vision that included the growth of the University of California as the hub “Knowledge Industry.” Dr. Kerr led the most prestigious faculty in the United States. Dr. Clark Kerr spoke for the University of California explained that this was a place of education not a political foundation. This was reflected with no political organizations on campus until SLATE was founded. SLATE educated students about the voting and political process on campus to open their eyes to Freedom of Speech. Dr. Clark Kerr later admitted that the protest was handled very poorly and as a result, he was fired. Dr. Kerr, who represented the Universities position on the Berkeley student’s demonstrations as poisoning the minds of the young generations with decades old arguments that has no merit. The University of California administration from the very beginning tried to undermine the protest and organization efforts of a political voice on campus. The administration made it clear of their displeasurethat the University of California students forming political groups, demonstration groups and freedom of speech was ridiculous because these outside issues did not have any merit on campus. The University made it a point to isolate, chastised, and banished anyone that tried to participate, organization any type of freedom of speech organization.

What was the purpose and outcome of the Sheraton Hotel protests?

In the 1960’s, California was still discriminating against blacks at the Sheraton Hotel. The black workers only had the opportunity to work lesser jobs such as dishwasher. The primary purpose was to expose the Sheraton Hotel hiring practices and the mistreatment of black workers. The secondary purpose was to change the hiring practices to treat everyone equally regardless of race, color, or creed. The demonstration wanted long time tenured black employees to be allowed to be promoted in management and executive positions. The Ad Hoc Committee to End Discrimination led the protesters in the fight for Freedom of Speech and the right to be treated equally by blacks and all people in the place of work. The outcome of the Sheraton Hotel protest spark brought local, national, and global coverage on the discriminatory actions including number of arrests. Other outcomes were more demonstrations in the United States including protest from the Civil Rights led by Martin Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham, Alabama. This protest organization the Civil Rights activist and supports along with the Berkeley students fighting against discrimination in hiring practices like the Sheraton Hotel demonstration. Finally, the Sheraton Hotel outcomes was the hotel industry agreed to end discrimination based on a 15 page document created to stop the discriminatory hiring and employment practices. This was one the biggest breakthroughs in the history from demonstrations. This was the beginning of the power of demonstration and sit-ins, protest and peacefully pickets along with persistent confrontation until they receive a positive response. This was one most effective campaigns in history to change the mind of the entire hotel industry. Originally, they spend 8 hours writing out the details that the hotel did not agree. However, in the end the Sheraton Hotel demonstration made history by changing the landscape that the people have the power, not just the CEO’s who run the companies. On this day, the hotel industry agreed to hire blacks on all levels of the company.

What was the effect of the success of the Sheraton Hotel on the UC students?

The Berkeley students gain confidence on how to create a successful demonstration. This lead to other demonstrations that made an impact on the supports, non-supporters and the additional students that joined the caused. They had over 1500 protesters that led to the Sheraton Hotel agreement to hire blacks and promote them equality (Rorabaugh, 1989). The Sheraton Hotel was on the most effective and important demonstrations that led to Civil Rights supporters to gain more control and supports. The primary effect of the Sheraton Hotel was giving the students respect, accomplishments and changing the minds of those deadest on discrimination. The students became empowered to move forward pushing a more organize demonstrations. In addition, the students evolved and learned from the Sheraton Hotel by establishing the Free Speech Movement at U.C. Berkeley.

What was the effect of the success of the Sheraton Hotel on the business community?

The efforts of the Sheraton Hotel did not go without reward. The business owners in the community worked together with the students, community members, and social activist, who made effortsto help with better hiring practices and supporting the injustices by hiring blacks and minorities in the community. The motivation was businesses did not want to be picketed but more importantly the success of the Sheraton Hotel set the changes in motions. The University of Berkeley students begin working together with civil rights organizations alongside the businesses to make some changes in the discrimination towards minorities. The unity because obvious when whites, blacks, Puerto Rican, Irish and many other races were working together in a way the government said could never be done. More importantly, the businesses were working together with the Berkeley students to make a difference for the better.

When the students took over Sproul Hall and one student was detained for 38 hours in a police car, what was the response of the University?

The Berkeley student hadorganized a demonstration because they school has dismissed Jack Weinberg because of his demand for Freedom of Speech rights. The students occupied the SproulHall, which because the largest organization of demonstrators to date. The Berkeley students demanded for all the charges have been dropped against the student political leaders. They occupied the Sproul Hall ready to stay for 3 days but the police arrested over 773 students. In one incident, one student was detained for 38 hours in the police car. The University response was no response for 38 hours or so but then the president Dr. Kerr announced an agreement that the demonstration would disperse from the campus and they would agree to create a campus committee for the Freedom of speech movement.

What did the University fail to understand about the students?

The university did not believe that the students would continue this demand for freedom and speech and demonstration because it was just a fleeting moment that would pass. The university did everything they could to break the spirit of the graduate students with expulsion, kick off campus and the threat of police arrest to slow down the momentum of the Berkeley students. However, the main reason the University fail to understand the students because it was a liberal, freedom of speech, and the 1960s movement of love, peach without war. The school was fighting an entire generational statement and beliefs not just one student. The banning of the telegraph from all students was a violation of all the rights of students not just the Berkeley protest students. These actions fueled the protest bring many more in support of the Berkeley students causes. In addition, the University did not understand that by refusing to let students protest on campus actually helped the Berkeley student’s causes and determination. The failed to understand that the students from the young affluent privilege studentsat the best college believe they were being suppressed, oppressed and discriminated against which change the world.

What were the comments by Mario Savio about the relationship between students and the University (@26 min)?

Mario Savio made it clear in his speech that the University was pushing things with no meaning causing us to give up our freedom of speech for money or job or prestige. We are not just insignificant disobedientstudents but we are human beings that deserve to be heard. He indicated that this is the time that the machine is so overbearing and illegal that we cannot longer stand for this misuse of justice and peacefully demonstration. We will no longer take part in the wheels of the University because we will make it stop. If the freedom of speech is not allowed by those who are running the government and University of California. We will prevent the machine from working. Our relations will remain adversarial.

After the students were arrested, they drafted a resolution. Who did they submit it to?

They submitted the resolution to the faculty of the University. The academic faculty marched out into the crowd where they voted by the majority to accept the resolution on the side of freedom of speech. The was a win for the Berkeley students who changed history and made the administration respect the constitutional rights of freedom of speech (Golf, 2014).

What was the outcome of the resolution?

The outcome of the resolution was the students had a victory party with Mario Savio speaking about what comes with the responsibility of making decisions about our political futures. Our fight with the administration over civil rights, discrimination, and censorship is just starting; He indicated it was time to move on to the next challenge because we were not done. We need to fight against the war: Vietnam.

What did the students gain? What did all students gain?

The students gained the confidence that they could make a difference in the world with freedom of speech rights. The Berkeley students gain knowledge, learn the laws, found a voice and they continue to fight for civil rights.

Based on this outcome, who really runs the University of California?

The students run the University of California. The administrators made the policy and procedures but the students are the ones that truly run the University.

Works Cited

Conelread(2005).Operation abolition. Retrieved December 2, 2014 from http://conelrad.com/cdprint.php?id=228_0_3_0

Freeman,Jo. At Berkeley in the sixties: Education of an activist, 1961-1965. Retrieved December, 2014 from http://www.jofreeman.com/books/Berkeley.htm

Rorabaugh,W.J. (1989).Berkeley at war: The 1960s: The 1960s. New York: Oxford University Press