Dissent in America: The Voices That Shaped a Nation

This collection of primary sources presents the story of US History as told by dissenters who, throughout the course of American history, have fought to gain rights they believed were denied to them or others, or who disagree with the government or majority opinion.

 

Each document is introduced by placing it in its historical context, and thought-provoking questions are provided to focus the student when s/he reads the text. Instructors are at liberty to choose the documents that best highlight a theme they wish to emphasize.

Taking up Martin Luther King, Jr.'s definition of dissent-"the right to protest for right"-Temple University historian Young culls 400 years worth of texts that exercise that right with fire and flair. Anne Hutchinson, Henry David Thoreau, Martin Luther King Jr., Ani DiFranco and Cindy Sheehan all appear, alongside lesser-known figures like Native American Stung Serpent (writing in 1723) and Lucy Stone (who circulated her "Statement on Marriage" in 1855). Divided chronologically, the anthology collects essays, speeches, organizational statements, songs, posters, interviews, broadsides and texts in other media. Most of those voices come from the left of the political spectrum, but Father Coughlin, The Michigan Militia and others are also here. Susan B. Anthony advises earnest dissenters to "avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences." For readers with something on their minds, 400 years of precedent may be just what they need to stimulate some questions of their own. B&W illustrations.
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