Vel Phillips Papers (Teaching, Box 3)

Mr. Law's individualistic ideas brought him to the conclusion that the voluntary action of men can better produce favorable results than compulsory actions. Government has destroyed more life, liberty and property than any thing else and the government is something to be afraid of. The individualists and the collectivists have different fears though.

Finally he concluded that the free enterprise system, who's motives are, profit and competition, has progressed throughout the years. The prosperity is exemplified by the facts that the real wages have increased by 10 fold and that the hours worked have gone down from approximately 70 to 40. He formulated that mens wages are based on the natural resources plus the human energy times the tools it takes to manufacture, which in turn is all equal to the capital investment.

I was very interested in Mr. Law's accounts of actual happenings in his life, and his manufacturing shortcuts used by him in improving the profit taken in by his company.

Both Mr. Law and Vel Phillips were very interesting but I would have to say that Vel Phillips made a deeper impression on me. Her contributions to the class were very interesting and the books were very readable. The schedule she made up for the class made it possible to look at all facets of the black political situation.

In essence she stressed that the nature of black politics is inherent in the nature of white politics in America. Black politics is an outgrowth of racist politics in America. It can readily be seen that black politics has constantly changed throughout American history. Blacks have, from the time of their entrance into the political arena, sought to gain the good life by means of American political devices. Nevertheless, black politics has continued to effect a change in American politics.

For centuries, blacks fought to enter the political arena only to be misguided and excluded. The fight has gone on until now black participation has reached its highest level in the country's history. Black politics will vary in America from locality to locality. Black politics will reflect not only the needs of blacks and the ambitions of black politicians, but also the faults and ills of America in general.

Films seen during term. a) Horror film festival b) Camelot c) Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff d) Sacco and Vanzetti

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I had never realized the extent to which blacks have (or have not) actually played a part in American political history. Formally, we heard about how the blacks were not allowed to vote, how they have never voted as a bloc to get what they want as have other minorities, who some of their "big" political leaders are, the effectiveness of demonstrations and various black groups, and the successes the blacks are now attaining.

More importantly, however were the things we learned informally from Mrs. Phillips. She told us real live experiences she'd had, people she'd met, who were important in our discussions, incidents where she had observed discrimination, stereotyping and other portrayals of ideas we talked about. Being an all white class, none of whom I'm sure have ever lived near a ghetto, we had only to listen to learn, tons of new information about black feelings and experiences. She knows so much and so many people that we could not help but get a clearer picture of what life is like for many blacks.

Mrs. Phillips is very outspoken, however, and made her views clear

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on many points. For instance, her desire to see the end to all discrimination; to see blacks, and other minorities, stand up and be counted by voting as a black and not following strictly one party so that both parties will have to do something for them in order to get their vote, and so they can get people of their own race elected, and get through to white officials and businessmen, so that they put blacks (qualified blacks) and other minorities in responsible positions where they can really help rather than just being figureheads. Her desire for black activism and white acceptance of all minorities was the most important point I think she made.

3.

January term always seems to be the time with alot to do, but everyone complains of having nothing to do. I'm not sure why this is, but I know that if I don't have a lot to do I never get anything done. January term for me could be improved by having more crafty things to learn, possible a yoga or exercise class, guitar lessons, and some type of team sports (water

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natural resources plus human energy times tools. My only criticism of his week was that he seemed to be less prepared at the end of the week. Otherwise I enjoyed being exposed to the ideas of an ideological capitalist who advocated the free market.

2. Thoroughly evaluate what you learned from Vel Phillips.

As far as Vel Phillips is concerned, I thoroughly enjoyed her week. I learned about the Black community's historical and contemporary involvement in the political process and its effort to acquire power in American society by reading Black Political Power in America by Chuck Stone and through the student presentations. The part I enjoyed most about Vel Phillip's week was hearing her talk of personal experiences as they related to our various discussions. I also was pleased with the organization of her week. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to become aware of the potential of Black Americans in the field of politics because this is a subject area which I might not have pursued under my own self motivation. All in all, I was well satisfied with having chosen Visiting Scholars for my January term course. I feel I have really profited from it because William Law's ideas can be applied to future economic courses I'll be taking, talking with our own scholars during the second week helped me with career decisions, and being exposed to Black Politics and Vel Phillips provided me with a unique experience which I'm glad I didn't miss.