LESSON PLAN ONE - INTERACTIVE STRATEGIZING FOR ECONOMIC EQUALITY

You are now the leader of CORE’s local chapter in Cleveland, Ohio. Large company employers departed from the city beginning in the 1950s. Cleveland now has no economic support. The city is emblematic of a national phenomena of urban decline. Black unemployment is extremely high due to discrimination in education and hiring. Housing is poor and overcrowded. City services, like trash pick up, are few or sporadic. 

Unlike some cities, the community in Cleveland has some hope!  The black community became politically successful when your chapter conducted voter registration which assisted the election of Carl Stokes, the first black mayor of an urban municipality.  Perhaps political transformation can lead to economic change.

Meanwhile, the National CORE office insists that protest is not useful for black economic freedom and black politicians can’t help the poor without community activism.  They decided to create an organization for economic development.  Do you agree with this strategy change? Listen to the oral history interview of CORE member Will Ussery if you want more insight on which strategy to choose.

YES!– I agree with National CORE’s decision to go in a different direction.  CORE should now focus on economic development in the black community to help the poor.

NO!  CORE must continue its original tactic. CORE should continue direct action protest and focus on demonstrations and boycotts.

NEITHER! I believe we should incorporate both strategies simultaneously.