👸🏿History of Black Women in America Unit 5 – Civil Rights Movement

Key Figures and Leaders

• Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama (1955) which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott
• Fannie Lou Hamer was a prominent activist who co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and delivered a powerful speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention
• Ella Baker played a crucial role in the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and mentored many young activists
• Septima Clark developed the Citizenship Schools, which taught literacy and civic education to African Americans in the South
• Daisy Bates was a journalist and activist who played a key role in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School (1957)
• Dorothy Height served as the president of the National Council of Negro Women and was a key organizer of the March on Washington (1963)
• Diane Nash was a founding member of SNCC and played a significant role in the Freedom Rides (1961) and the Selma Voting Rights Movement

Historical Context and Causes

• Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the South following the end of Reconstruction
• The Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North and West in the early 20th century led to increased racial tensions and activism
• World War II and the Double V Campaign (victory abroad and victory at home) raised awareness of the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy overseas while facing discrimination at home
• The murder of Emmett Till (1955) and the acquittal of his killers sparked outrage and galvanized the Civil Rights Movement
• The Brown v. Board of Education decision (1954) declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, setting the stage for further desegregation efforts
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance and economic pressure in challenging segregation
• The sit-in movement, which began with the Greensboro sit-ins (1960), spread across the South and challenged segregation in public accommodations

Major Events and Milestones

• The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) led to the desegregation of the city's bus system and established Martin Luther King Jr. as a prominent leader
• The Freedom Rides (1961) challenged segregation in interstate bus travel and faced violent opposition, drawing national attention to the movement
• The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963) brought together over 200,000 people and featured King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech
• The Birmingham Campaign (1963) used nonviolent direct action to challenge segregation and faced brutal police violence, leading to the desegregation of the city's public accommodations
• The Freedom Summer (1964) brought hundreds of volunteers to Mississippi to register African American voters and establish Freedom Schools
• The Selma to Montgomery marches (1965) focused on voting rights and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act
• The Poor People's Campaign (1968) aimed to address economic inequality and poverty, but was cut short by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Legal Battles and Legislation

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
• The Civil Rights Act of 1957 established the Civil Rights Commission and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute violations of civil rights
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and federally funded programs
• The Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, and provided for federal oversight of voter registration and elections in areas with a history of discrimination
• Loving v. Virginia (1967) struck down state laws banning interracial marriage, declaring them unconstitutional
• The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and sex
• Affirmative action policies, such as Executive Order 11246 (1965), aimed to address past discrimination and promote diversity in education and employment

Strategies and Tactics

• Nonviolent resistance, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and advocated by Martin Luther King Jr., became a central strategy of the Civil Rights Movement
• Sit-ins, where protesters would peacefully occupy segregated spaces and refuse to leave until served, challenged segregation in public accommodations
• Boycotts, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the New York City school boycott (1964), used economic pressure to push for desegregation and equal treatment
• Freedom Rides tested the enforcement of the Supreme Court's ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which banned segregation in interstate bus travel
• Voter registration drives, such as those during the Freedom Summer, aimed to increase African American political participation in the face of intimidation and violence
• Mass marches and demonstrations, like the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery marches, brought national attention to the movement and pressured political leaders to act
• Litigation and legal challenges, often led by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, fought discrimination and segregation in the courts

Role of Black Women

• Black women played essential roles as organizers, strategists, and leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, often working behind the scenes and receiving less recognition than their male counterparts
• Women like Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Septima Clark focused on grassroots organizing, empowering local communities, and developing new leaders
• Rosa Parks' act of defiance in refusing to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became a symbol of resistance
• Daisy Bates played a crucial role in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, serving as a mentor and spokesperson for the Little Rock Nine
• Diane Nash and other women in SNCC were instrumental in the success of the Freedom Rides and the Selma Voting Rights Movement
• Dorothy Height, as president of the National Council of Negro Women, worked to address the unique challenges faced by African American women and promoted their leadership in the movement
• Black women also faced gender discrimination within the movement, leading some to form their own organizations, such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee's Black Women's Liberation Committee

Impact on Society and Culture

• The Civil Rights Movement led to the desegregation of public spaces, including schools, public transportation, and accommodations, transforming American society
• The passage of landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, provided legal protections against discrimination and expanded political participation
• The movement inspired other marginalized groups, such as the Women's Liberation Movement, the Chicano Movement, and the Gay Rights Movement, to fight for their own rights and equality
• The arts and popular culture reflected the influence of the Civil Rights Movement, with musicians, writers, and artists addressing themes of racial justice and pride
• The movement contributed to a growing sense of Black pride and the development of Black Power, which emphasized self-determination, cultural identity, and economic empowerment
• The media coverage of the movement, particularly the violence faced by protesters, exposed the brutality of racism to a global audience and garnered international support
• The Civil Rights Movement also had an impact on foreign policy, as the U.S. government sought to improve its image abroad and counter Soviet propaganda during the Cold War

Legacy and Ongoing Challenges

• The Civil Rights Movement achieved significant legal and social gains, but the struggle for racial equality and justice continues today
• Systemic inequalities persist in areas such as education, employment, housing, and criminal justice, disproportionately affecting African American communities
• The Voting Rights Act has faced challenges, with the Supreme Court striking down key provisions in Shelby County v. Holder (2013), leading to renewed concerns about voter suppression
• The Black Lives Matter movement, founded in 2013, has drawn attention to police brutality, racial profiling, and the need for criminal justice reform
• Efforts to address the racial wealth gap, which has its roots in centuries of discrimination and exclusion, have gained traction in recent years
• Debates over affirmative action, reparations, and the role of race in college admissions and employment continue to shape discussions about racial equity
• The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement is celebrated through memorials, museums, and annual events, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while activists continue to draw inspiration from the courage and commitment of those who fought for change