2017-2018 Common Read Learning Activites

For background about the Explosions at the Law Enforcement Center and the Mankato Armory Reserve, read the following sections in Out of Chaos: 

1. Inella Burns  (pp. 54-57)
2. Curt Fisher  (pp. 77-78)
3. David Phelps  (pp. 106-119)
4. Larry Spencer  (pp. 151-157)

A. Read the above article from the May 10, 1972 issue of the Daily Reporter. 

1. What do you believe was the purpose of this explosion? 

B. This explosion caused $250,000 worth of damages.  $1.00 in 1972 is the equivalent of about $5.87 now in 2017.  

1. What amount of damage would this same explosion cause today in 2017 if we use the above figures? 
2. $250,000 in 1972 is ______________ in 2017. 
3. How do you think people today would react to $1 million dollars in damage to property? 

C. Why do you think the Law Enforcement Center and Armory Reserve were targeted as opposed to other buildings? 

D. Is it ever acceptable for violence to be a part of protesting? Why or why not? 

E.  Read the August 25 1970 New York Times article.

1. What happened at the University of Wisconsin? 
2. What building was targeted at the University of Wisconsin? 
3. How was that experience different from the events that happened here in Mankato?