Poor People's Campaign

Who/What: The slogan "If we cut one child, who chooses?" was iconic in the Poor People's Campaign during the Civil Rights Movement. The campaign was mostly focused on the individuals of color who have been "forced" into a lower socio-economic status to the degree that the parents can't feed their children. The man in the photo who is holding the sign is Rev. Ralph Abernathy from the same church as Martin Luther King Jr. The protests were specifically about decreases in the Head Start Program focused on the African American community.

Where: The Poor People's Campaign was mostly through propaganda, but this slogan was seen at the march initiated by Martin Luther King Jr but unfortunately was assassinated earlier that month. The march took place in Washington, D.C. (Capital Hill).

When: April 25th, 1968. This was during the era of the civil rights movement when the African American/Black community focused on the social injustices they have been receiving from the government.

Why: The slogan Rev. Ralph Abernathy was holding communicates the seriousness of the funds that were slashed from the Head Start Program made a drastic impact on the black community. The families relying on the funds weren't able to support their children, so the message puts blame on the government for their starving children. The purpose of the slogan was to instill guilt in the government officials. Children are seen an the most innocent in society and that children are not to blame. If children fall victims to something, blame is traditionally put blame on someone else (usually adults). The campaign is putting the blame onto the legislature for pressuring families to take drastic measures for feed their families. It's clear that families aren't literally picking off their children, but the possibility being there is the message Rev. Abernathy was communicating.


References:

Mary, Gary. "A Revolution of Values: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Poor People’s Campaign." 18 January 2015. http://billmoyers.com/2015/01/18/revolution-values/