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Chapter 8: The Paradoxical Era Out-groups and Notable Individuals. Loren Gauzza. Out-groups. 1970s – peak of the “rights revolution” Out-groups mobilized reform movements and developed specialized factions to focus on specific issues; most achieved gains through court rulings and legislation
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Chapter 8: The Paradoxical EraOut-groups and Notable Individuals Loren Gauzza
Out-groups • 1970s – peak of the “rights revolution” • Out-groups mobilized reform movements and developed specialized factions to focus on specific issues; most achieved gains through court rulings and legislation • African Americans • Growth of African American underclass burdened with poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and segregation in schools and neighborhoods • Faced “white backlash” – whites resentful due to belief that African Americans were receiving and unfair proportion of federal benefits • Rights Gain: Federal court rulings mandated and enforced desegregation of schools, often through busing • Disabled • Faced workplace discrimination and restricted access to buildings/transportation • Rights Gain: Formed the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (ACCD) after 1973 enactment of Rehabilitation Act which prohibited discrimination against the disabled
Out-groups cont. • Women • Women’s movement led by specialized groups addressing: • Discrimination in hiring, pay, and promotions • Rape, battery, workplace sexual harassment • Child care, parental leave, child support payments • Restrictive abortion legislation forcing low-income women into unsafe practices • Rights Gain: Legislation enacted to prevent discrimination in workplace and education • Gay Men and Lesbians • Leaders encouraged individuals to come out and fight discrimination • Saw few gains in rights; experienced increased backlash – gay rights regulations repealed in several states, prohibited from teaching in CA public schools, Harvey Milk assassinated
Notable Individuals • Richard Nixon (1969-1974) • Characterized by ambivalence • Rhetoric was highly conservative, but 1st term = major social reform (expanded social programs created in Great Society, enacted new reforms, and increased social spending) • Overall, was a political opportunist –did whatever would enhance his career • 1st term:Supported social reform in to gain support from working class and liberals in both parties and upstage Democrats • Engaged in political outbidding to gain credit for reforms • 2nd term:Political climate changed – middle-class and blue collar whites feared inflation and possibility of women and minorities taking their jobs • In response, switched to highly conservative policies – abandoned reform efforts, attacked liberals, and cut social spending – ensured that those whites continued to support Republicans by playing on their fear and racism (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD593z4kzXU) • Resigned in 1974 after Watergate Scandal
Notable Individuals cont. • Jimmy Carter (1977-1980) • Ran for presidency in 1976 as an “outsider” – helped him gain support in post-Watergate era in which well-established politicians were mistrusted • Flawed problem-solving – did not consult legislators, proposals often failed because focused on all-or-nothing packages rather than incremental changes • Enacted SOME reforms, BUT… • Overall, not very interested in social reform – disliked social spending, saw welfare recipients and drug users as abusing government programs • Born-again Baptist; strongly opposed pro-abortion policies • Abysmal popularity ratings due to increasing oil prices, stagflation (high inflation + high unemployment), and public disillusionment with government • George Alvin Wiley • African American SU chemistry professor (1960s) – opened chapter of Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Syracuse! (http://dailyorange.com/2013/02/injustice-anywhere-is-a-threat-to-justice-everywhere-fifty-years-later-syracuse-residents-reflect-on-sus-role-in-civil-rights-movement/) • Became director of National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO) – organized welfare recipients and advocated for their rights
Multiple Choice Question • Which out-group experienced backlash and increased discrimination rather than gains in rights during the “Paradoxical Era?” (Jansson 2012, page 314). • Gay men and lesbians • Women • The elderly • Individuals with disabilities
Answer • Correct answer: • Gay men and lesbians • While rulings and policies were enacted to enhance the rights of African Americans, the elderly, women, and the disabled during the Paradoxical Era, “gay men and lesbians encountered a backlash orchestrated by the New Right. Gay rights ordinances were repealed…, a California legislator mounted a campaign…to prohibit gay men and lesbians from teaching in public schools, [and] Harvey Milk, a gay member of the board of supervisors in San Francisco, was assassinated” (Jansson 2012, page 314).