1. Read the following excerpt from Adam Clayton Powel Jr.'s 1955 Speech on Civil
Rights:
Last year when the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce was considering legislation to end segregation in
interstate travel, a 29 year old witness appeared. He was Lt.
Thomas Williams, formerly of the United States Air Force.
Lieutenant Williams had volunteered for duty when he was 19
years old. He served in the Air Force with merit until 1953 when
he was dropped following his arrest in the State of Florida
because he refused to move from a so-called white section of an
interstate bus. That young man, in the uniform of his country, was
jailed and fined even though the United States Supreme Court
had told carriers to end racial segregation. That case is still before
the courts on appeal. After he was dropped by the United States
Air Force, Lieutenant Williams was so eager to serve his country
that he enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard. He served for
nearly a year. About 2 weeks ago, while flying a jet plane, he was
killed serving his country before he had a chance to see
democracy come to pass.
Pick any reading from the course and describe a theme or central idea it has in
common with the excerpt above. What issue is Powel commenting on, and how has
one of the authors, poets, or playwrights in the course addressed this issue in his or
her work? Support your comparison with examples from both the excerpt and from
your chosen reading. You do not have to provide direct quotes. (10 points)