even though there were some evil ones, everybody worked it out. no, everybody didn't. i already cautioned you guys about the movie "mississippi burning" because i rarely have seen a movie in miest mission, in my opinion, that so badly misrepresented the relationship between the fbi and the civil rights movement. i'll let you guys investigate further on your own. getting away from the libel part of that conversation. but i just started reading "the help" now. i'm not going to go see the movie. i'm going to read the novel because i am your english teacher. but i wanted to see what the author intended in her words before i ever watch the movie. my godparents were big-time in the civil rights movement. and my godmother who is white and had black people working for

her and the relationship she describes sounds nothing like what was in the book, that they were close, literally they would sit and have tea together. could they have tea in front of other white people? no, they couldn't. i don't want to make myself feel good about it and think that everything worked out. no, because you don't even have that today. i think we have a responsibility. literature has a responsibility. and i think if we want to get a real picture of what's painted -- remember, it's literature. it doesn't have to be 100% accurate. then it would be history. it would be historical documentation. but to as much as possible represent the time that you come from -- what happens if somebody 50 years from now says there were no women in college or the ones that were here were just looking for husbands. they're misrepresenting who you were. and for anybody reading that

from this point on, they will believe that as fact. just a faraway example. i know better. but i'm going to wrap this up. i want to thank you guys for taking part in this conversation. we'll continue this conversation as we go through. looking for more contemporary uses of the word. my person is not to overkill but it is to deal with it in a most effective way. and the only way we get it is if you give me a piece of what you have in your head and i kind of help you try to mix it up and see how we go. you guys have been most impressive today. like i said, we'll continue our look at this. everybody feeling all right? not too bad. i'll be making notes later. the next piece we go on to will be "fences." so i'd start looking it up. also look up wilson, the author, as well. he has much to offer us as a

class. our discussion will be in-depth. surprised me, nice work. we had a recent controversy here in waterbury where we had a high school play by august wilson that used the "n" word, i believe. and there was controversy about whether or not the play should be produced or not. there were modest changes. and they let the play go on. do we banish the work altogether or make modifications as we americans always do, compromise and see what we come up with? nice work, everyone. well, some of you more than others. but that's okay. nice work. >> i was just telling them all about "mona lisa smile" which we were talking about -- there was

a scene with julia roberts and the whole class is dark. and she brings up a picture -- advertisement on the wall and she says, modern art -- and there's a student that says -- no, that's just an advertisement. and she says, quiet, everyone listen. what will the people 20 years from now say about you? how are they going to examine you? a girdle to suck you in to make you have a perfect figure? a lot of times the school wellesley -- the wellesley girls that was portrayed there, there were women there that did their husbands-to-be homework so that they would do well in school. they were there to meet husbands. they were there to -- >> get their m.r.s. >> be the perfect wife and still

have a college degree and have dinner on the table by -- >> did that convince you that all women of that era were exactly the same way? >> no, it didn't. it definitely had -- it had -- the movie was nice because it had a chameleon effect. you saw in the faces of certain characters that there were women in the movie that wanted to have a separate life from just being wives. and there were women that thought that this was all that there was, to only be a wife, to have this perfect figure, to have this perfect life. and i feel sometimes in today's society that women are kind of migrating to that ideal, especially with the economy the way it is. they migrate to this fact that, i'm going to be taken care of and everything is going to be all right. and that's bogus. my mother totally raised me. i'm the girl in the family that gets dirty and does the garbage and takes care of the house and

pays the bills. i'm that girl, that young woman in the house. whether i do get married or not, i've already established in my mind, i'm going to make sure i take care of me -- >> let me ask you a question about that. if you go to a piece of literature based on your life now, what story would you tell? the story of your aspirations and dreams for the future or the reality you live every day? >> can i hybrid them? >> why not? >> then i'd hybrid them. talk about the struggles i've gone through until now -- >> and how that leads you to that you want in the future. >> exactly. and how -- what i want for the future because i still have girlfriends and friends that say to me, you know, i just want to get married and be happy. if you were to talk to me at 20, i'd be like, oh, my god, i'm not married yet. and now i'm a little older than 20. and i'm thinking, it's okay if i don't get married. but i want to make sure that i travel to alaska, that i learn

four languages -- >> your story goes on? >> my story goes on. that i make sure -- my story is going to continue whether i get married or not. i'm going to take care of me. >> thank you. >> thanks. >> we are done. thank you, everyone. now get out. by next week, "fences" read, ready to be analyzed. don't come to class not having read it. >> will we be discussing "tropical blues" as well? >> absolutely. every weekend, c-span3 turns to american history tv. for 48 hours, we feature people

and events that help document the story of our nation. join us each saturday at 8:00 p.m. and midnight eastern and sundays at 11:00 a.m. for classroom lectures from across the country on different topics and eras of american history. all this month, american history tv is focusing on black history month by airing lecture that is pertain to african-american history. next weekend, university of hartford professor warren goldstein teaches a class about martin luther king, jr.'s time in birmingham, alabama, and the civil rights movement there in 1963. for more information about american history tv, including our complete schedule, visit our website at c-span.org/history. all weekend long, american history tv is in beaumont, texas, to explore the history and literary culture of a city where the oil industry in texas got its start. you're watching american history tv, 48 hours of people and events telling the american

story. we're in courtroom number one which was the courtroom in which judge lamar cecil presided, i think 1954 through '58. in this courtroom, he made two decisions with respect to desegregation in beaumont. there had been the famous case, brown versus board of education, which ordered the desegregation of public schools ruled that separate but equal was not constitution. and so based on that, there were cases around the united states challenging the jim crowe segregation system. black americans were barred from hotels and restaurants and cafes, libraries, golf courses. and in beaumont, texas, black golfers were barred from playing at the terrell park public golf course here in beaumont. it was a municipal golf course.

black americans, black beaumonters could work there and they could caddie there and they could play there when the course was closed. but because of their color, because of jim crowe's segregation, they were not permitted to play there when the course was open. there were six black golfers who put together a challenge to that segregation. booker faison, joe griffin, bill narcese, tommy parker, john gray and earl want. they wanted to challenge that segregation system at terrell park. and they joined with three black lawyers, two young lawyers from beaumont, theo johns and elmo willard, who had just graduated from howard university in washington. and then a black lawyer from dallas, u. simpson tate, the

naacp lawyer for texas. and they put together a lawsuit against the city of beaumont. and it was booker faison versus elmo beard versus the city of beaumont. that was in the summer of '55. and in order to set up the fasth case, several of them went out to the golf shop at the terrell, offered to pay their money. they were refused. and so they got the case set up like that. and then after they set up the case, then johns and willard and tate filed the suit papers in beaumont challenging the fact that they were not permitted to play the terrell because of their color. and the new judge, he had just been appointed recently, was lamar cecil. and so judge cecil had to handle this new case that was coming in. johns and willard and tate

argued this case in the courtroom here. they brought the plaintiffs and the defendants together. and judge cecil presided there at his bench. theo johns and elmo willard and simpson tate argued that the case of brown versus board of education did apply to the golf course, even though it was in education, a school case. he ruled in favor of the black plaintiffs, ruled that brown versus board of education does, in fact, apply to this golf course. and he ordered the desegregation of terrell park golf course. that was one small step that was taken here in beaumont to begin the desegregation. booker faison and joe griffin and those other black gentlemen did get to enjoy the golf course and many of them played here for many years. it was a good ending for the black golfers and a first step in the desegregation of facilities in beaumont.

the next summer, the same three black lawyers went after a bigger prize. they went after the desegregation of lamar university here in beaumont, a state university, four-year college. lamar university was by charter for white students only. so there were some black students who applied for admission there. they were refused. and so the three black lawyers joined with two black plaintiffs, versi jackson, a 26-year-old woman who had graduated from high school and who had attended texas southern, and then a james anthony cormier, a black student who had just graduated from blessed sacrament high school here in beaumont. it was a fairly simple case for judge cecil and the lawyers. again, brown versus board of education was about the public schools. but there had been other state

colleges already desegregated in texas. so the precedents for there for judge cecil. when it was all said and done, judge cecil ruled in favor of the black students. just before registration began. and about 25 black students enrolled at lamar college that fall and began classes. there was some trouble on the lamar campus. there were pickets. there were white people who protested this desegregation who were opposed to admission of black students to lamar college. there was a threat of violation against the mayor of beaumont, jimmy coconos. but with the help of the police department and the lamar administration, desegregation did go forward. and it was accomplished without any serious violation. so as we know later in other

parts of the american south, there were serious -- very serious problems in violence on some of the campuses. but at lamar university, it was accomplished and it was accomplished with these black lawyers and the white federal judge, judge lamar cecil. working the rule of law, a rule of law that presumes the equality of all persons. throughout the weekend here on american history tv on c-span3, watch personal interviews about historic events on oral histories. our history bookshelf features some of the best-known history book writers. revisit key battles during the 150th anniversary of the civil war. visit college classrooms across the country during lectures in history. go behind the scenes in museums and historic sites. and the legacy and policies of past american presidents.

view our schedule at c-span.org/history. ♪ today the latest weapons, coupled with the fighting skill of the american soldier, stand ready, on the alert all over the world to defend this country, you, the american people against aggression. this is "the big picture." an official television report to the nation from the united states army. now, to show you part of "the big picture," here is sergeant stuart queen. >> in recent big pictures, we've

shown your army in action all over the world. today we're going to tell a different story. today we're going to take you to washington, d.c., here in the nation's capital, there are many thousands of important army activities. let's take a look at some of them. this is the washington we all know and recognize, the capital of our nation. the beautiful city with its famous landmarks. this is the visitors' view of washington. but across the potomac river, there is another side to the story, a military aspect. its heart is the pentagon building. this is where the highest officers in your army perform the duties and make the decisions which will affect every soldier in uniform. surrounding the pentagon there are other military buildings.

this is t-7, headquarters for the military city of washington. let's go inside for a few words from the general. >> ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the nation's capital, and the military district of washington. i hope you will enjoy your visit with us. although we will not be able to show you all of the interesting tasks performed by our soldiers, we have selected some of the highlights which we think will have a special appeal to our big picture audience. you will find here in the shadow of the capitol, that the men and women of your army are daily performing a great variety of interesting jobs. in some cases, they are perhaps unique in the army. you will see and become familiar with some of them and with the men and the women who perform them. you will also see evidence that we have not lost sight of our

more serious mission, that of training our soldiers to peak efficiency, to prepare for the defense of their country. >> perhaps the most famous of all the military units here in washington is the third infantry regiment, whose origins go all the way back to the revolutionary war. today they're marching at the military air transport terminal to welcome the minister of the army of spain. as the plane touches down, the third snaps to attention. whenever world figures come to washington on affairs of state, our government must always be a good host. on such occasions, a great deal of the responsibility falls on this unique army unit. for it is one of the many beauties of the third. to welcome these important personages with honor and

ceremony, to greet them on behalf of the united states. as the spanish minister of the army steps from his plane, general ridgeway personally welcomes him. there is a brief moment for a warm exchange of greetings before the military reception. all the rifle butts slap as one, and the 3rd renders a salute to a military man from a friendly nation, and the honor is returned. with the exchange of salutes over, the 3rd prepares for inspection. the united states army band strikes up a lively march as the commanding officer of the reception detachment leads the general and the spanish minister around the ranks.

only hand-picked officers and men are to be found in the ranks of the 3rd. serving in this regiment is a high honor and it's not everyone who can qualify. always in the public eye, appearance and deportment must be letter perfect. such things are taken for granted in the 3rd. to the foreign dignitaries who see them, they represent the united states army. they must be the best. the inspection over, general grandes takes his leave of the detachment commander and heads for arlington national cemetery and the tomb of the unknown soldier. here he is destined to encounter another activity of the 3rd infantry regiment. on the steps of the amphitheater leading down to the tomb itself, there takes place a simple ceremony. a detachment from the 3rd serves as honor guard for the

proceedings while the spanish general pays tribute to an unknown american soldier who died in the service of his country. the great of many nations have rendered such honor here. a tribute to an american soldier, known but to god. the general departs, but let us stay and meet the soldiers who stand guard over this hallowed ground. situated directly beneath the amphitheater is the tomb guard room. of course, there are always chores to do. shoes in particular get a treatment guaranteed to better the best shine in town. one of the men is just now preparing to relieve the guard on duty. a last-minute check in front of the mirror. all set? let's go. this changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier

has become a washington tradition. it is such a simple ceremony, and yet an impressive one. there is a quiet dignity in the wake of men as a given. there is pride in their execution. because these men are constantly before the public, they are carefully chosen from among volunteers of the 3rd infantry regiment. they must be between 5'11" and 6'2" in height. they must have no physical disabilities, or any disciplinary action against them on their record. misconduct as trivial as a traffic violation in the city of washington is sufficient to cause removal from the guard. visitors from all over witness this changing of the guard. some 4,000 a day during the summer months. these are honored soldiers with an honored duty to perform. with the changing of the guard completed, the old sentry returns to the guard room for some well-earned rest. while the new sentry begins his tour of duty.

at strict attention, he walks his post. at each end of the tomb plaza, he executes the manual of arms, and here is one spectator who is obviously impressed. one hour on, and three off, 24 hours a day. this single sentinel walks this post and considers it an honor to do so. that's the way it is in the 3rd. ♪ this unique regiment has many duties and often participates in the varied activities of the nation's capital. for a real parade, they're a must. in inaugural parades, they serve as the presidential guard. to the men of the 3rd, pennsylvania avenue is as familiar as the drill field back

at their home station. fort myer, virginia. but everybody has seen a parade. let's go now and take a look at some of the more unusual activities of this unusual regiment. our big picture cameras have now moved to historic mount vernon on the high bluffs just south of the city of washington. here you are about to meet the ceremonial color sergeants of the 3rd infantry regiment. beside me is lieutenant david h. rumbolt, assistant operations officer of the 3rd infantry regiment. his family has been army all the way. lieutenant, i believe that your family, as a matter of fact, goes back to the revolutionary days, and i can't think of anybody more qualified than yourself to explain the tradition behind this uniform, which these members of the ceremonial color guard wear today. >> thank you, sergeant. the uniform worn by the members of the color guard of the 3rd

infantry is an exact replica of the uniform worn by the men in 1794. this is to remind the members of the old guard of the long and proud history of the 3rd united states infantry regiment. you will notice a certain distinctive item of the uniform such as the powder box, canteen on the man's left side, the regiment crest of the 3rd infantry from the period 1784. the knapsack strap on the left shoulder of the uniform is a holdover from the war of 1812 when the 3rd infantry stood up before the regiments of the british, which is perpetuated today in the knapsack strap. 1/4 strip of leather in the corners of buff and black. >> thank you for describing the uniforms. but what are some of the other traditions, lieutenant, that characterize the 3rd infantry regiment? >> well, during the mexican war, the 3rd infantry received the name of the old guard from general winfield scott.

after it had stormed the heights of tell graph hill at bayonet point, we were given the honor of marching every parade. we always march with our bayonet six. the name old guard was actually given to us by general winfield scott. when he said, the members of his staff, the 3rd infantry marches by him, he said, gentlemen, take off your hats, there goes the old guard of the army. >> thank you very much. we must travel along to visit other activities here in the military district of washington. now, here is a job you wouldn't expect to find in our modern army, and it's just about the only job of its kind left. but here at fort myer, it's a very important job. it's about the only job left in

the cavalry army. they draw the caissons, and it gets its share of attention. polish and elbow grease is in perfect order as it bears the casket of the fallen hero. this is the comparison horse, riderless with cavalry boots turned backwards in the stirrups of the empty saddle. it follows behind the caisson in the funeral procession. case we've now moved to a position immediately adjacent to arlington national cemetery here at north post, fort myer. off to my left is a cemetery. we have asked the noncommissioned officer of a detail that has been on funeral duty over here in the cemetery to report to us at this position. he's due along here at any moment.

this is sergeant roger gregory, section leader of the caisson detachment here at north post, fort myer, virginia. and this is big boy. roger, we have seen already some of the comparison horses here in the detachment. but i'm wondering if you could explain the detail a little bit more about their significance. >> it was believed a riderless horse would follow his master to the grave. it's a symbol of respect. used in funerals of cavalry officers and general officers. >> well, how long have you yourself been with the detachment? >> 14 months. >> 14 months. and specifically, what is your job during the funeral procession? >> well, i ride the lead horse, right out in front of the section. all the way to the graveside. >> has big boy always been the lead horse? >> right. >> how long have you ridden him? >> 13 months. >> incidentally, just how old is