Monday, October 28, 2013
Ben West
Ben West was the Vice Mayor in 1946-1949 of Nashville. He became Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee during the time of 1951-1963. He attended Cumberland Law School and Vanderbilt University. West won mayor of Nashville in 1951 along with 2 African Americans councilmen, the first in 40 years. Nashville became the first southern state to desegregate public facilities after a 1960 sit-in forced Ben West to take a stand against segregation. In the film "Ain't Scared of Your Jails" Ben west was asked by Diane Nash "if he thought it was morally right to segregate against blacks"? Ben proceeded to say that "as a man it was morally wrong to segregate due to race". My opinion of Ben was that he was a honorary guy. He didn't believe that blacks deserved to be treated differently and finally took the ultimate stand against segregation and beat it in his town.
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Ben West approach very honest to the community and accept a change to come soon in the march civil movement.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this man is a hero in a sense. to admit that what was happening in his city was morally wrong as a politician was essential to the success of the movement.
ReplyDeleteI think Ben West was a guy that stuck out to me in the film, he had chose what morally was right rather than think as a politician which you don't really find someone like that anymore.
ReplyDeleteI believe that his opinion changed everything. To be a political leader and claim that what is going on is wrong is a major jump for his safety and creditability. What he said changed alot.
ReplyDeleteBen West was a man with integrity, at that point in time, it had to be very hard to answer a question like that when so many people are watching you.
ReplyDeleteBen West is someone that I want to represent me in office. He has strong morals and even when pinned down, won't cave on his beliefs. It could have been just as easy to follow his constituents and have no say on the matter. Mayor Ben West did what was right in a confrontational time.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Ben West was honorable in the fact that he did stand for the equality of African Americans. Though, what struck me most about him was the ultimate stand you spoke of. By declaring his beliefs not as a political figure, but as a man, he put himself at risk of violence and disapproval of the very people that voted him into office.
ReplyDeleteI think it took a lot of courage for him to answer a question so honestly in such a public setting. He knew what he believed and he stood firm to those beliefs. Good for him.
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