African American African American StruggleStruggle

Event SlidesEvent SlidesAfrican American UnitAfrican American Unit

Ethnic StudiesEthnic Studies

Risha KrishnaRisha Krishna

President QuotesPresident Quotes

““The two races, equally free, cannot live in the The two races, equally free, cannot live in the same government” Thomas Jeffersonsame government” Thomas Jefferson

There is no reason in the world why the negro There is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the declaration of enumerated in the declaration of independence, the right to life, liberty and the independence, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” Abe Lincolnpursuit of happiness” Abe Lincoln

Some Major EventsSome Major Events 1951 Barbara Johns (15 year old school girl who phones the principal on important 1951 Barbara Johns (15 year old school girl who phones the principal on important

school business, delivers notes to all teachers, calls an emergency meeting in the school business, delivers notes to all teachers, calls an emergency meeting in the auditorium. She begins “her soliloquy”. She explains the school facilities are auditorium. She begins “her soliloquy”. She explains the school facilities are tarpaper shacks. In essence, saying separate is not equal, while other schools have tarpaper shacks. In essence, saying separate is not equal, while other schools have bathrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias and a gym, Moton High School lacked all bathrooms, locker rooms, cafeterias and a gym, Moton High School lacked all these. The Strike continued for days, NAACP included Johns strike as part of the these. The Strike continued for days, NAACP included Johns strike as part of the next “Big Case”.next “Big Case”.

1954 Brown vs. Board of Education1954 Brown vs. Board of Education 1955 Emmett Till 14 year boy is slain while his 2 killers are set free1955 Emmett Till 14 year boy is slain while his 2 killers are set free 1955 Claudette Colvin 16 year old school girl refuses to give up her seat on the bus, 1955 Claudette Colvin 16 year old school girl refuses to give up her seat on the bus,

because she claims, “I paid, its my constitutional right” She attends a youth school because she claims, “I paid, its my constitutional right” She attends a youth school led by Rosa Parks, who teaches them to stand up against injustice.led by Rosa Parks, who teaches them to stand up against injustice.

1955 Rosa Parks who is inspired by Septima Clark in activism also knows 1955 Rosa Parks who is inspired by Septima Clark in activism also knows Claudette Colvin. Frustrated to know, she is arrested and pregnant. Parks is arrested Claudette Colvin. Frustrated to know, she is arrested and pregnant. Parks is arrested that afternoon. News comes out as a “tired seamstress” instead off an activist… that afternoon. News comes out as a “tired seamstress” instead off an activist… NAACP takes this opportunity to seize the moment. This was Parks’s second NAACP takes this opportunity to seize the moment. This was Parks’s second refusal to give up her seat, she was no more tired that day than any other. refusal to give up her seat, she was no more tired that day than any other.

Montgomery Bus BoycottMontgomery Bus Boycott ““Why do you all push us around” Rosa Parks asked the policeman who Why do you all push us around” Rosa Parks asked the policeman who

arrested her for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. arrested her for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. What seat do you think she was sitting in? 1-7, 8-13, 14-19, 19-22?What seat do you think she was sitting in? 1-7, 8-13, 14-19, 19-22? This wasn’t her first refusal to give up her seat, she had done this before This wasn’t her first refusal to give up her seat, she had done this before

and the bus driver threw her off the bus. and the bus driver threw her off the bus. After Park’s arrest, Joann Robinson obtained Park’s approval and After Park’s arrest, Joann Robinson obtained Park’s approval and

organized a one-day protest of the city’s buses. organized a one-day protest of the city’s buses. 50,000 flyers were prepared.50,000 flyers were prepared. Black ministers mentioned the boycott during their Sunday services.Black ministers mentioned the boycott during their Sunday services. Following the initial success of the campaign, Black residents continued Following the initial success of the campaign, Black residents continued

the boycott through out 1956.the boycott through out 1956.

Bus Boycott ContinuedBus Boycott Continued A new organization was formed and a new young minister with exemplary A new organization was formed and a new young minister with exemplary

oration skills was asked to be the President.oration skills was asked to be the President. He was the minister of Dexter Baptist Church on Dexter street. His name He was the minister of Dexter Baptist Church on Dexter street. His name

MLK.MLK. He made his first speech on the first night of the boycott. “If we are wrong, He made his first speech on the first night of the boycott. “If we are wrong,

the Constitution of the United States is wrong..”the Constitution of the United States is wrong..” Extensive taxi service was set up. Taxi drivers charged the Black people Extensive taxi service was set up. Taxi drivers charged the Black people

the same low fare of 10 cents as a bus fare. Local white citizens who the same low fare of 10 cents as a bus fare. Local white citizens who carpooled were fined for driving slow if caught with black people on carpooled were fined for driving slow if caught with black people on board.board.

King was arrested and charged $1,000. King responded “freedom does not King was arrested and charged $1,000. King responded “freedom does not come on a silver platter.”come on a silver platter.”

The city negotiated with King to end the boycott, in return for segregated The city negotiated with King to end the boycott, in return for segregated buses to end.buses to end.

Sit - InsSit - Ins On Feb. 1, 1960, four black college students refused to move out of the On Feb. 1, 1960, four black college students refused to move out of the

lunch counter reserved for whites only. They explained to the waitress lunch counter reserved for whites only. They explained to the waitress since they had purchased lunch they should be allowed to sit and eat it. since they had purchased lunch they should be allowed to sit and eat it. Without any confrontation, they returned the next day but with 2 dozen Without any confrontation, they returned the next day but with 2 dozen students, than on the 3students, than on the 3rdrd day with more students. day with more students.

This caught the attention of the media, “well dressed college students who This caught the attention of the media, “well dressed college students who ended their sit-ins with a prayer”ended their sit-ins with a prayer”

Students formed their own agencies.Students formed their own agencies. 5 months later local authorities agreed to change store policies of 5 months later local authorities agreed to change store policies of

segregated lunch counter. segregated lunch counter. The students had training for sit-ins. Smoke blown in your face. The students had training for sit-ins. Smoke blown in your face. Workshops on Gandhian nonviolence were taught.Workshops on Gandhian nonviolence were taught. Young leaders who later became major leaders in the civil rights Young leaders who later became major leaders in the civil rights

movement were Diane Nash, and John Lewis.movement were Diane Nash, and John Lewis.

Freedom RidesFreedom Rides On May 4On May 4thth a group of 1 Freedom Riders, 7 black and 6 white boarded a a group of 1 Freedom Riders, 7 black and 6 white boarded a

Greyhound Bus in Washington, D.C. headed toward New Orleans, they Greyhound Bus in Washington, D.C. headed toward New Orleans, they hoped to arrive in safely on the 7hoped to arrive in safely on the 7thth anniversary of Brown vs. Board of anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education. Education.

The riders made it safely until John Lewis and another rider tried to enter a The riders made it safely until John Lewis and another rider tried to enter a whites only rest area at the bus station where they were brutally beaten. whites only rest area at the bus station where they were brutally beaten.

Later the bus was ambushed by 200 whites.Later the bus was ambushed by 200 whites. Diane Nash organized another 10 riders with their wills in hand to for Diane Nash organized another 10 riders with their wills in hand to for

another ride. another ride. Once the Kennedy group realized the student riders were going to continue Once the Kennedy group realized the student riders were going to continue

the rides they asked the state authorities for bus protection. The state the rides they asked the state authorities for bus protection. The state refused and eventually the Federal government was sent in for protection.refused and eventually the Federal government was sent in for protection.

Under pressure Kennedy Administration issued regulations prohibiting Under pressure Kennedy Administration issued regulations prohibiting segregation in bus and train terminals.segregation in bus and train terminals.

BirminghamBirmingham(aka bombingham)(aka bombingham)

Most segregated city in the SouthMost segregated city in the South A hill known as dynamite hill for the most houses bombed.A hill known as dynamite hill for the most houses bombed. Fred Shuttlesworth a local minister who wanted integration so his house was bombed.Fred Shuttlesworth a local minister who wanted integration so his house was bombed. King and Shuttlesworth organized a march through the city for they were later barred to do. King and Shuttlesworth organized a march through the city for they were later barred to do. King marches again, and is arrested. From jail, written on scrapes of paper and finished on King marches again, and is arrested. From jail, written on scrapes of paper and finished on

toilet paper he writes his famous letter from Birmingham Jail addressing the philosophy and toilet paper he writes his famous letter from Birmingham Jail addressing the philosophy and tactics of the African American Non-violent movement. tactics of the African American Non-violent movement.

Clarence Jones bails MLK out, today he’s writing his autobiography at Stanford MLK center. Clarence Jones bails MLK out, today he’s writing his autobiography at Stanford MLK center. Infact, I met him while drafting this PP.Infact, I met him while drafting this PP.

Height of the Cold War, Soviet Union uses this negative images and calls U.S disgraceful who Height of the Cold War, Soviet Union uses this negative images and calls U.S disgraceful who does not stand up for democracy. S. Union also invites all A. Americans to take up residence does not stand up for democracy. S. Union also invites all A. Americans to take up residence in their country free of discrimination.in their country free of discrimination.

The Federal Government puts pressure on the local Birmingham authorties on end the The Federal Government puts pressure on the local Birmingham authorties on end the segregation policies and negotiate with King and Shuttlesworth. The Fed. Gov’t is segregation policies and negotiate with King and Shuttlesworth. The Fed. Gov’t is embarrassed by the news. Shuttlesworth negotiates a very key component, “blacks need to be embarrassed by the news. Shuttlesworth negotiates a very key component, “blacks need to be hired in local jobs”hired in local jobs”

March on WashingtonMarch on Washington

Bayard Rustin the chief organizer. Possessed by powerful intellect, he was Bayard Rustin the chief organizer. Possessed by powerful intellect, he was responsible for much of the thinking behind the civil rights movement and was one responsible for much of the thinking behind the civil rights movement and was one of the major architects of its nonviolent protest tactics.of the major architects of its nonviolent protest tactics.

Influenced by Gandhi, King goes to visit Nehru in India. Gandhian Nonviolent Influenced by Gandhi, King goes to visit Nehru in India. Gandhian Nonviolent school opened up all over the South.school opened up all over the South.

Later he was seen as a communist and was on the Fed. List so MLK was forced to Later he was seen as a communist and was on the Fed. List so MLK was forced to distance himself. distance himself.

MLK delivered the “I Have a Dream” speechMLK delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech The March on Washington was a demand for decent jobs and decent housing. The March on Washington was a demand for decent jobs and decent housing. It was the largest civil rights demonstration ever held. A crowd of more than It was the largest civil rights demonstration ever held. A crowd of more than

200,000 in front of Lincoln Memorial. 200,000 in front of Lincoln Memorial. The program of the day featured singers such as Bob Dylan and former Freedom The program of the day featured singers such as Bob Dylan and former Freedom

Rider John Lewis.Rider John Lewis. ““I have a dream that some day my 4 children will not be judged by the color of I have a dream that some day my 4 children will not be judged by the color of

their skin” When King finished the huge crowd was utterly silent, but so overcome their skin” When King finished the huge crowd was utterly silent, but so overcome by King’s words wept opennlyby King’s words wept opennly

John LewisJohn Lewis

King described him as “the boy from troy” King described him as “the boy from troy” because he grew up on a small farm.because he grew up on a small farm.

Involved in sit ins and prayer insInvolved in sit ins and prayer ins Started the SNCC (Student nonviolent Started the SNCC (Student nonviolent

coordinating committee)coordinating committee) He was also a key note speaker, but his speech He was also a key note speaker, but his speech

considered too brash so was cleaned up.considered too brash so was cleaned up.

Freedom SummerFreedom Summer 1 summer in Mississippi where 1,000 volunteers 1 summer in Mississippi where 1,000 volunteers

come to help register black voters.come to help register black voters. So far, the state of Mississippi had used horrible So far, the state of Mississippi had used horrible

tactics to repress blacks from voting. For example, tactics to repress blacks from voting. For example, literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, etc.literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, etc.

4 little girls who are killed in a church where a bomb 4 little girls who are killed in a church where a bomb is placed intentionally outraged the black community is placed intentionally outraged the black community and the community asks to have a vote in their and the community asks to have a vote in their selection of a police commissioner and local chiefs. selection of a police commissioner and local chiefs. This causes the program Freedom Summer. This causes the program Freedom Summer.

Vietnam WarVietnam War

Against his advisor’s advice King spoke out against Against his advisor’s advice King spoke out against the Vietnam War. the Vietnam War.

He looks at it as a moral issue. Resources taken to He looks at it as a moral issue. Resources taken to Vietnam will hinder the war on poverty at home and Vietnam will hinder the war on poverty at home and take funds away from school.take funds away from school.

““This is not a just war”This is not a just war” Dr. Spock (expert baby doctor) marches with him. Dr. Spock (expert baby doctor) marches with him.

They march to the United Nations building.They march to the United Nations building.

Sanitation Workers StrikeSanitation Workers Strike Dr. King even though stricken with a cold, decides to Dr. King even though stricken with a cold, decides to

go and support the strikers. The workers were go and support the strikers. The workers were demanding a fair pay.demanding a fair pay.

““I am a man” Give me dignity, respect.I am a man” Give me dignity, respect. He makes an eerie speech, his last speech. He makes an eerie speech, his last speech.

MountaintopMountaintop He is shot on the balcony of his hotel by a single He is shot on the balcony of his hotel by a single

bullet by James E. Ray who pleads guilty and bullet by James E. Ray who pleads guilty and confesses to have done it for someone else. It is confesses to have done it for someone else. It is known the FBI knew about this attempt, but chose not known the FBI knew about this attempt, but chose not to provide King protection.to provide King protection.

Does the leader make the Does the leader make the movement or the movement movement or the movement

make the leader?make the leader?Was the movement the work of one Was the movement the work of one

man?man?

And one of the prayers that I pray to God everyday is: "O God, help me to see myself in my true perspective. Help me, O God, to see that I'm just a symbol of a movement. Help me to see that I'm the victim of what the Germans call a Zeitgeist and that something was getting ready to happen in history; history was ready for it. And that a boycott would have taken place in Montgomery, Alabama if I had never come to Alabama. Help me to realize that I'm where I am because of the forces of history and because of the fifty thousand Negroes of Alabama who will never get their names in the papers and in the headline.