The Controversial Moynihan Report
Date: Dec 18, 1965
Caption: James Farmer, the National Director of the Congress on Racial Equality, responded to the Moynihan Report with a sharp criticism of its message.
The Black press provided a space for Black thinkers to challenge ideas that were getting attention in white newspapers and other media. James Farmer, an accomplished civil rights activist and National Director of the Congress of Racial Equality, used his column in the Amsterdam News, New York’s main Black newspaper, to share his critique of the Moynihan Report.
Farmer disputes the specific arguments that the Moynihan Report makes, and he shares his criticisms of what he thinks the report’s results will be.
Categories: national, community activism
Tags: racist ideas, poverty, government reports, Black people, employment
This item is part of "Racist and Ableist Ideas" in "How Did New York City Segregate its Schools?"
Item Details
Date: Dec 18, 1965
Creator: James Farmer
Source: New York Amsterdam News
Copyright: Under copyright. Used with permission.
How to cite: “The Controversial Moynihan Report,” James Farmer, in New York City Civil Rights History Project, Accessed: [Month Day, Year], https://nyccivilrightshistory.org/gallery/the-controversial-moynihan-report.
Questions to Consider
- How would you summarize Farmer’s criticism of the Moynihan Report? What were his key points? Which of them do you find most convincing?
- What sentence or passage from Farmer’s text stands out to you? Why?
- Farmer calls the Moynihan Report an effort “to get our eyes off the prize.” What do you think he means by that? What do you think “the prize” is, to Farmer?
- Compare the tone and style of James Farmer’s text to other items in this document set. What differences or similarities do you notice? Why do you think Farmer uses the writing style that he does? How do you think he wants his readers to feel?
References
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