Birth of Modern Civil Rights Era

1. CIVIL RIGHTS LECTURE #2: 2007 Legislation Spurs an Era of Nonviolent Protest (1954-1956) What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a soreand then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over Like syrupy sweet? Maybe it sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Langston Hughes

Who was Brown?

What was his case?

How was the case packaged to reach the Supreme Court?

His role

Closing Arguments

Significance to Civil Rights Movement

Warrens conclusion of a unanimous Supreme Court : in the field of public education, separate but equal has no place

The court found segregated schools to be in violation of the 14 thamendment

How should desegregation occur?

How soon, and how fast? The Supreme Court ruled with all deliberate speed. Why? What does that mean?

What are the implications of with all deliberate speed?

How did President Eisenhower feel about the decision, and why is that important?

Charming Emmett

A True Abomination

Emmett Till- Who was Emmett Till?

Why was he murdered?

How and why did the case become famous?

Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam were accused of murder; what happened to them?

What were the implications of the case?

December 1, 1955- Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man who was standing

The Bus Driver had her arrested for violating the municipal ordinance that mandated segregation on publicly owned vehicles

42 yr. olds seamstress

active in the struggle for racial equality and justice

Positions she held:

- Secretary of Alabama State Conferences ofNAACP Branches

- Secretary of Montgomery NAACP

- Adult advisor to NAACP Youth Council

- Attended a workshop on desegregation at Highlander Folk School in Tennessee

Leaders of Montgomerys black community move to act

E.D. Nixon-President of Alabama NAACP; a leader during the WWII March-on-Washington Movement; interested in mass demonstrations as a means of organizing black power

Started to organize a boycott; it was supposed to last for one day, the day of Parks trial, December 5, 1955

Parks agreed to be the cause of the boycott; even though it could cost her job, securitylife?!

On December 5,1955 90% of Montgomerys blacks boycotted buses

E.D. Nixon proposed to continue boycott until:

- city would hire black bus drivers for blackneighborhoods

- insist on fair treatment of black bus riders

- first-come, first-served seating system

What is missing from E.D. Nixons requests?

Question #1: How to organize/inspire the masses of people?

Answer: MIAMontgomery Improvement Association

Question #2: Who should lead this boycott?

Answer: It should be someone energetic, inspiring, andsomeone who can bring together Montgomeryslarge and diverse black population

What was his background, and how did he end up in Montgomery?

Why was he chosen to be the leader of boycott?

Why did he gain fame through the boycott?

MLKs speeches in church rallies in the evening garner support

Kings Words: To accept passively an unjust system is to cooperate with that systemNoncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.

Montgomery protesters used these words as strength in the face of harassment

Boycott by carpooling/walking for over a year

Kings house is bombed; he still preaches love and nonviolence- becomes an important symbol

Boycott continued until segregation on buses ruled illegal (June, 1956-district court; December, 1956-upheld by Supreme Court)

Dec. 21, 1956- King and aides sat in the front of the bus

Images are captured by Media

King learns that nonviolent direct action is an effective method of creating social change

King gains national recognition

Moves the struggle from the courtroom to the streets

Encourages activism amongst African-Americans

SCLC is formed

Birth of Modern Civil Rights Era

Documents

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