Introduction
Read markers 1, 2, 3 to learn more about the Civil Rights cartoon.
This 1963 cartoon titled "What do you mean, 'not so fast'?" shows an African American man climbing his way through a thorny rose bush to reach for the rose at the top. The rose is labeled "Equality." The Civil Rights movement of the late 1950s and 1960s pushed for equality between African Americans and whites.
- Obviously, the rose represents the prize of equality. In order to reach it there are struggles and obstacles along the way. The man is close; however, he can't seem to reach equality.
- What do you notice about the man? Why are his clothes torn and what does this represent? He has obviously gone through a struggle to get to the prize. He hasn't reached it yet.
- The thorns represent struggles and obstacles on the path to equality. You see the thorns have torn the man's clothing and even taken pieces of his clothing like his hat. They have made his journey to reach equality a diffucult one.
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