Read the following passage from a famous speech by Martin Luther king Jr. in 1963. Which social division is he talking about? What are his aspirations and anxieties? Do you see a relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics mentioned in this chapter?
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Let freedom ring - when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children - back men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!' I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal'."

Answer

 There is mention of racial discrimination in the speech of Martine Luther King Jr in USA. He is referring to the segregation policies adopted by the Whites towards the Coloured people. He aspires for a country where there will be security for all; where racial abuse will not occur; and where everyone will be treated as equal irrespective of the colour of their skin. This speech and the incident at the Mexico Olympics are both part of a movement that wanted to highlight the plight of the African-American people.

Q1. Which of the following is associated with the Civil Rights movement in the U.S.A. (1954-1968) ?
(a) Abolishing legal racial discrimination against African Americans.
(b) Abolishing unequal income distribution.
(c) Health
(d) Education

Q2. Which type of social diversity or division do we find in Belgium ?
(a) Religious (b) Linguistic
(c) Regional (d) Gender

Q3. Which one of the following refers to The Black Power Movement (1966-75)’ in USA ?
(a) A non violent reform movement.
(b) The American freedom movement.
(c) A more militant anti-racist movement.
(d) A religious movement.

Q4. What is not the basis of social divisions in India ?
 (a) Language (b) Health
(c) Region (d) Caste

Q5. Which one of the following is the most important origin of social differences ?
(a) Accident of birth (b) Physical abilities
(c) Kinds of Complexion (d) Tall or Short

Q6. Which one of the following is the representative political parties of the Catholics in Northern Ireland
(a) Nationalist Parties (b) Unionist
(c) Democratic Party (d) Labour Party

Q7. Which University recently installed the statues of Smith, Carlos and Norman in its campus?
(a) The Howard University
(b) The Chicago State University 
(c) The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
(d) The San Jose State University

Q8. Which one of the following is the actual political expression of social divisions in a democracy ?
(a) It results in social inequality and injustice.
(b) It is a normal practice and can prove healthy.
(c) It leads to definite violence.
(d) It is a rare practice and always proves unhealthy. 

Answer Key of MCQ:
 (1) a (2) b (3) c (4) b (5) a
 (6) a (7) d (8) b (9) b (10) d

(1) How people perceive their identities.
(2) How Political leaders raise the demands of any community.
(3) How the government reacts to demands of different groups.

(1) Both were African – Americans.
(2) Both won medals at the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968.
(3) Racial discrimination practiced against Africans in America.

Two types of democracy -
(1) Direct democracy
(2) Indirect democracy

(1) People may express their feelings and expectations as their demands.
(2) There is adjustment between two social divisions with different interests.
(3) Democracy is a system of governance of the people to rule on their own.

Peter Norman was an Australian Athlete.
 Norman wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the dissent of two American Athletes.
 Norman was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic.

Direct Democracy	Indirect Democracy
(1) People directly participate in the Government of a country	(1) People do not participate in the Government.
(2) May be practical for the country with small population..	(2) May be practical for the country with its vast population.
(3) The country provides the opportunity to every member of the society to tell his/her view.	(3) The view of social groups is important and the majority is always influential in the formation of policies or rules.

Social differences simply refer to born or biological and socially created inequalities in the society. This
mainly based on race, caste, religion, language, culture etc.
(1) When some social differences overlap with other differences. For example the difference between
black and white becomes a social division in the US because the Blacks tend to be poor.
(2) If social differences cross cut one another, it is difficult to pit one group of people against other. It
means that group sharing a common interest on one issue are likely to be on different side on
different issues. For example both Northern Island and the Netherlands are predominantly
Christian but are divided into Catholics and Protestants.
(3) The overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social division and tensions while
cross cutting differences are easier to accommodate.