TP#2
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
(CORE) Civil rights organization started in 1944 and best known for its "freedom rides," bus journeys challenging racial segregation in the South in 1961. A man named James Farmer help the cause by setting up direct relations projects to end racial segregation. Congress of racial equality helped push the rights for Af Am. CORE activities began with a sit-in in Chicago in 1942 to end segregation and protect. In the late 1950s, CORE changed its attention to the South Challenging South segregation. It became one of the lead organizations for the civil rights movement. The most important strategy that was effective was in the 1950s was based on native and non-violent acts. They included sit-ins, marches, voting drives. Through sit-ins, they gained success. James became the first CORE director. By the end of 1954, many CORE activities were disadvantaged. The org found new dedication following the Brown vs. Board of Education decisions.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
1964; banned discrimination in public acomodations, prohibited discrimination in any federally assisted program, outlawed discrimination in most employment; enlarged federal powers to protect voting rights and to speed school desegregation; this and the voting rights act helped to give African-Americans equality on paper, and more federally-protected power so that social equality was a more realistic goal. It was positive that helped the Af-Am community. An act is a bill passed by the senate and house, it is passed on to the president to be signed and becomes a law. A law can also be known as an act of congress. Before the act was passed, they had a hard time considering if the laws were good for the Af-Am. Af-Am, had a hard time with segregation. Whhites felt superior against Af-Am. There were protest such as sit-ins that were held in cafes, diners, fighting for discriminitory practices. They were all non-violent. The act wasnt something that came quickly, it took 70 days for it to pass. June 2nd 1964 president Lyndon B Johnson signed the act. Democratic and Republican southeners opposed the act casuing a 83 day fillibuster including senator Albor Gore, J william Fullbright, and Robert Byrd, who fillibustered for 14 hours! They had to face probelms with police involvment. He signed the act with at least 75 pens and gave them out to the congressional supporters of the Bill such as MLK and Hubert Humphrey. The act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also prohibits discriminations on public accomidations, federally funded programs, and voting rights, and desegregation of schools. It secured Af-Am rights to equal public facilities, break down barriers. It made a better environment for Af-Am´s.
The March on Washington
A massive non-violent protest in Washington DC in 1963, in which the NAACP, SCLS, SNCC, labor unions, and religious organizations rallied more than 250,00 gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial. It is also known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom( for Af-Am). Martin Luther King gave his famous speech¨I have a dream¨. More than 3000 members of the press covered the event. The big 6( 6 leaders) led the event. Martin, Philp Randolph, James Farmer, John Louis, Whitney Young, and Roy Wilkins. Philip Randolph was the leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Cardproters and Elder Statesmen Civil rights movement. He planned a mass march on Washington to protest Black soldier's exclusion from WW2 defense jobs and new deal programs. In 1957, he proposed another mass march on Washington, he hoped that MLK would get on board for the organizing power of the NAACP. Rustin Roy Wilkens (NAACP President), John Lewis( Student non-violent coordinating committee), Daisy Lee Bates( Civil rights veteran), Aussie Davis, and Ruby D( Actors) also gave speeches aside from MLK. Those who gave performances were Marianne Anderson, Mahala Jackson, Jone Bias e, and Bob Dylan. The march was the biggest political rallies for Human Rights in the U.S. It brought a lot of attention to how bad racism was in the U.S. In pressured the administration of JFK to initiate a federal rights bill to congress.
Billie Holiday
Advanced the cause using her music and voice. Childhood: She was born April 7th, 1915 in PA was raised by her single teen mother and voluntarily raised by her father in the 1920s. Speculations about her father being Clarence Holiday. Growing up her parents seperated making it hard for her and her mother who traveled. Whne she was nine her mother fought a case to have her sent to a all-girl boarding school. She had an even more difficult childhood and life after this( she was sexially assaulted ocassionally just as young as 9). She didnt have bloodline family, but had a ¨family¨. She had many dogs, and friends, Rosly, Ms. Freddy, Jimmy Fletcher. Her first husband was Jimmy Monrore who got her addicted to opium. Her second husband was Joe Guy was her drug supplier. Lastly Louis McKay who used and lost a lot of her money. Eleanora Fagan( billie) got her name from her favorite axtress Billie DOve and laste name from Clarence Holiday. Her career started in New York where she was able to create her own style of Jazz and Blue. In 1933 she started recording and launched her career. Her most know songs are strange fruit, the man I love, billies blues, etc. She used many strong drugs like opium and heroin to cope with her past and present pain. Charges were made against her when she was found in her apartment surrounded by narcotics. Later she didnt really drink or use drugs, but she smoked which gave her a rspy voice(later got recognized for). Jimmy Fletcher was an agent who the gov used to get close to Billie to convict her, The gov was only intrested in her becasue she refused stop singing her song strange fruit to silence her voice that was rallying up. SHe plead guilty so that she could spend time in a clinic to get help. Her sentence was one year and a day. Johan Harry(wrote chasing the screen) said she had a heroin adiction becasue of her apast experiences. Stange fruit brought so much hate and admirement and is a song that decribed lynching in the south. The song had so much controversey because it spoke of the lynching and protest of AfAm with metaphoric lyrics comparing the people to fruit in trees. When she got out of jail, she couldnt get a licsence to sing at bar and clubs like she did before but was able to sing in the Carnegie Hall with a sold out show. She even got to perform with her idol Louis Armstong. She inspired future generations in music with her style of Jazz and Blues, and vocals. She influenced activist since her backround wasnt ideal, but she used her voice. Her last performance was May 25, 1959. She died at 44 with liver and heart problems. Even on her death bed she was arrested for her heroin possesion and hand cuffed her to her bed as she died. On July 17, 1959 she died. July more than 3000 people attended her funeral to pay repects. Today many dont know her name because thats what thens society wanted. She now is on the rock hall of fame, has an autobiography, and documentary/movie.
Josephine Baker (1906-1975)
African-American singer and dancer who expatriated herself to Paris after refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the US. Her "danse sauvage," complete with bananas alternately wowed and shocked the world. She helped the French Resistance during WWII and was even awarded the Croix de Guerre! Ernest Hemingway called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." She was born June 3 1906 in Missouri. Her mother Carrie was a doctor, her dad was a drummer and Carson. She has a very traumatic childhood, her master abusing her( burned her hand). At 12 she dropped out of school and was homeless. She would dance on the street for change. At 13 she worked at a waitress at a club and met Willy who she married and divorced. Later she became a chorus girl at 15. She first danced with The Jones Family Band first. She later wanted to join the Dixie Steppers, but was declined due to physical appearance. She eventually took the place of a girl who dropped out. She was a civil rights activist and left America because of the racism. She wrote articles and speeches on how bad racism was. She had 4 husbands and relationships with women.
Angela Davis
American political activist. Associated with the Black Panther Party. Radicalized people and was an activist for black liberation. She was born Jan 26 1944, to an elementary school teacher and the owner of a service station. She was born in Alabama on the Dynamite hill(targeted area by the KKK). She attended Brandeis Uni of Massachusetts and UC San Diego. She made racial study groups that were broken up by police. Shejoined the Black Panther Party while attending UC San Diego and Studied Philosophy at Brandeis. The Black Panther Party is a pro-black revolutionary group and communist party. Because she was a part of a communist part, she almost lost her job at UCLA as assistant professor of philosophy. She got it back by taking them to court and left when her contract expired in 1970. She became a strong supporter for 3 unrelated prison inmates. The Soledad brothers ( 3 men) were accused of killing a prison guards. Angela was put on charges for being apart of the event. She went into hiing and became the FBI´s most wanted and was 2 months later caught. The evidence was that the guns were registered to her, and was in love with Jackson. She spent 18 months in jail and was aquitted June 1972. She is now a professor, traveler and lecturer on social justce. She wrote 4 books.
James Brown
Contributed to the cause by being an Idol and representing the Af-Am community. Early life: Born on May 3rd 1933 in South carolina. He was raised maniny in Georgia by his great aunt when his parents divorced at the age of 5. He lived through the great depression. He was sent home from grade school for his clothes which ended his education in 7th grade. Basketball Player, boxer, cotton picker, shoe shine boy were his first frew jobs before becoming a singer. He joined in local talent shows but didnt see his career being in music. His neighbors taught him to play drums, guitar, and piano. Gospel stranglers( later the Flames) was the first group he joined. He became the main leader and it was known as James Brown and Famous Flames. Say it Loud and Im Black and proud became an anthem to the Black pride movementn in 1968. his style converted to Funk in the 1970´s. family: He had a big family consisting of 3 wives and 10 kids! He also was recognized throughout his career( one of his songs won a grammy, and he became one of the first to be recognized in the rock hall of fame.) In 2003, he was apart of kennedys honors. Some of his issues included drug abuse, police trouble. He spent almost 3 years in prison. In 1998 he faced charges of weed possesion and illegal use of fire alarm. In 2004 he was accused on domestic abuse. On dec 25, 2006 he died due to convessive heart failure. It is said he got murdered, but there is no evidence. He contributed to the cause because he was an idol to people(Black and Im proud), and was an inspiration to people.
Maya Angelou
Famous for many works of various art that inspired Af-Am, and contributiong to movements. Childhood: She had a difficult childhood, selectively mute for 5/6 years when she was 7 due to sexul abuse and trauma, she became interested in poetrya dn wrote in her journal during freetime(continue for wntire life). Before she began her career, she broke barriers. At 15 she attempted to apply to be apart of the womens army corpse but was denied. She then got a job in charge of rail vehicles. She became the first Af-Am street car conductor in SF. After graduating she began to participate in civil rights activities. She worked with the Af-Am Unity until Malcolm was assasinated, then Southern Christian Leadership conference. The SCLC was first known as the sothern leadership conference when MLK established it in 1957. It advocated for Af-AM rights in the U.S. throughout her life she created best selling books, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings(won award in 1969, translated in languages, and sold millions of copies), childrens books, poetry collections( Give me A cool water before I die).She joined the Harlems Rioters Gild to help other Af-Am work get published. She had experience with music releasing an albulm Miss Calypso in 1957 and compose songs in the albulm. Calypso music was at its peak. She already had been dancing and singing calypso so she went on gigs to perform. Roberto flack requested her work. In 1972 she went on a screenplay called Georgia Georgia makeing her the first Af-Am to ever achieve that. She got multiple Tony nominations from contibuting to other acting roles. Her work was making big hits during a time where opportunities for Af-Am were scarce, which is why it was greatly celebrated. Her work talked about human rights, struggles minorities, women, and African-Am faced. She made a large impact by maniging to talk about struggles in Af-Am communities and have it reach a wide audience. Something like that had never happened happened. She is recognized on how her works impacted society.The topics she talked about related to an entire community and gave an insight on what the comm was going through. She has been recognized in international Universities, given speeches, and given honorary degrees even after shepassed away.
Doris Miller
First African American to win the Navy Cross for valor for his actions at Pearl Harbor. Early Life: Born October 12th, 1919 in Waco Texas, he helped around the house, cooked meals, washed the laundry, and worked on the family farm. He joined the high school football team. He dropped out of high school to help his family run a restaurant during the great depression. A month before his 20th birthday he enlisted to join the U.S Navy. He then accepted the role of being a chef's mess attendant(give food around) which was one of the only few positions available for an Af-Am. He quickly rose positions to a cook in 3rd class in Hawaii. On Dec 7, 1941, he was collecting laundry when a bomb bombed his ship. He moved to the main deck to help the mortally wounded captain. He got a weapon and begun to shoot at the planes before being called to stop. It was his first time ever with a weapon because black sailors were not given the gunnery training received by white sailors. His actions quickly took place in the media and his actions were seen as courage but there was no urge to identify him by name. His name didn't appear until March 1942. The countries most important black newspaper wrote about his courage. There was opposition to giving him the medal of honor. Some argued that he hadn't done enough to earn this honor. Meanwhile, he was assigned to a ship in the Pacific in Indianapolis where he was given the work of a mess man( given small tasks). The secretary that opposed his honor stated that black soldiers were going to be given gunnery training. On November 24, 1943, the carrier he was assigned to was hit by a torpedo from the Japanese and the damage was horrible. Over 600 men died including Miller, he had just turned 24. He received many awards and credit for his work. He not only received awards but there is a memorial at the Dorris Miller park, plaque, streets named after him, etc.
Oprah Winfrey
First female African-American billionare and. SHe contributes to help Af-Am and women by opening a school in Africa, foundation, and donating money during the pandemic to Af-Am. Early Life: She was born 1954 in Mississippi. Her father was a business man and a church decon and her mother was a domestic servant. Her parents never lived together causing her to attend many differet intergrated school is Nashville and Milwakee. She lived in poverty until she moved with her father at the age of 7 where she got her own room. While living with her dad, she was sexually abused by her cousin who threatened to kill her is she told anyone at age 11. At 14 she got pregnant but the baby died after a few minutes of being born. She was smart from a young age causing her to move up grades. She attended Tenesee University with a scholarship. At 19 she was given a job as a nighlty news anchor. At 21 she became a co-host for People are talking and later got a job as a host for AM Chicago which was renamed the Oprah winfrey Show becasue of it´s success wjith her on it. She has contributed to the Childhood protection act, 2 foundations for giving back to those who cant, bookclub, and netwok, and donated 10,000,000 to the Af-Am comm. to help with testing and virus.
Tom Bradley
He became the first African American elected mayor of Los Angeles, California. The first to become mayor of a major Western city. He served from 1973 - 1993. He was an american police officer. H was born Dec 29,1917 in Texas. His wifes name is Ethel Arnold and he has 3 children named Phillis and Lauren Bradly. His grandfather was a slave and he had 4 siblings. His family moved to Arizona to pick cotton, this happened when the great migration occured. Him and his wife met at a Baptist church and got married on May 4 1941. One of his child passed away as a newborn and they bought a house. In 1940 he left a study to be a police officer in LA. There were 4,000 police officers, 400 were black. They refused to give him credit and Af-Am officers only had 2 jobs( street division/downtown traffic). He was the first to become the Af-Am president of the boys league and captain for a track and football team. In 1937 he attended UCLA with an athletic scholarship. He contributed to the financial success of the city. He helped all communities, inspired others, changed mindsets, and increased ethnic diversity. He died due to a stroke on Sep 9.
Bill Russell
He was born on Feb 12, 1934. He was a famous basketball player (Boston). He is currently retired at 87 years old. He was the first Af-Am to achieve superstar in the NBA. He grew up in a racially segregated neighborhood and didnt have respect because of his race. He started playing basketball in high school He was known for having an unusual defense. He excelled during his junior and senior years and won the championships for his team in 1951 and 1956. His parents Charles and Katie(died of a brief illness when he was 12). He lost his confidence when she dies because they were close. At 14 he was 5 10. He went to the Uni of SF with a scholarship for basketball which offered him an escape from poverty and racism. He played for 3 years. His height was 6 9 there. He was selected at the age of 22 years old to play in the NBA for Boston in 1956( his first game was in Boston in 1956). In the 1960s he had to deal with a lot of racism. His final height was 6 10. His advantage was his height in defending. He was one of the first athletes that spoke out about civil rights. He would rather have conversations than autographs with his fans to gain trust. Soon he became an Olympian and won 11 titles in his rookie year, won the MVP award 5 times, NBA all-star game in the Kobe MVP award. He retired in 1969 on June 30th and played from1956-1969 for 13 years. He started coaching the Boston team in 1966. He became the first Af-Am coach during the post-depression era. He won 2 championships coaching. He is in the hall of fame, has 3 kids, and lost his 3rd wife in 2009, his net worth is 10 million dollars. He proved that he was good enough to play along with other white NBA players and coaches.
Jim Brown
His real name in James Nathanial Brown. He was born Feb 17 1936 in St simons island Georgia. He a former football player, sports analysis and actor.He was considered the best runner back of all time. From 1957-1965 he played for the Cleveland Browns and led the league. He was a bruising runner who had the speed and strength to outrun players. He rushed for more than 1000 yards in seven seasons. He set record in the NFL for rushing 15027 in 1958 and 1863 yards in 1963. At 30 he retired to an act career. He appeared in action and adventure films. Some include Slaughter Made, 100 rifles, the 30,000, and 3 the hard way. He had many issues he was involved in such as being active in issues facing Af-Ams. He formed groups to assest black owned businesses and rehabilitate black gang members. He also interfered with the law. In 1999 he was found guilty of vandalizing his wifes car. He broke barriers during the civil rights by being one of the best runner backs in the NFL, and going out and being an activist. Him and Muhammud Ali fought for the same things, being an american with equal rights.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955, after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a city bus, Dr. Martin L. King led a boycott of city busses. After 11 months the Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public transportation was illegal. In 1955 buses in Montgomery has segregated seating which required Af-Am to sit at the back of the bus while the front was reserved for whites only. If the seats were full for whites, AfAm were required to give up their seats. The driver of the bus was able to arrest AfAm passengers if they didnt follow the rules. On Dec 1 1955 Rosa Parks got on the bus on her way home. She sat on her spot in the back of the bus. After 3 stops, the white section got full and The bus driver asked her and 3 others to give up their seats. The three others complied, but Rosa refused. After staying for a few minutes, the bus driver arrested her. This event leads to a greater cause. Although she was not the only one arrested for not giving up her seat, her arrest was used in the face of a bus boycott. At the time of the arrest, she was the secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP. Eddie Nickson was the president of the NAACP. After she was arrested, he bailed out Rosa. The Women's Political Council (WPC) was made of a group of AfAm women. Joe Anne Robinson was the president of the WPC. Many of the residents of Montgomery were politically organized prior to the incident. 9 months prior to the Rosa Parks incident, Claudia refused and black leaders were going to organize a boycott, but she was pregnant. They decided to use Rosa Parks as the face of the boycott because she was the right person for the position. The nexr=t few days after her arrest, Joe Anne Robinson and Eddie Nickson organized the boycott. %75 of Montgomery´s bus riders were Af-Am. Eddie Nickson gathered other leaders such as MLK to organize the boycott the day after the arrest. They planned it to last 1 day and to happen on Dec 5, 1955. Media helped spread the word. About 40,000 AfAm citizens boycotted the bus system on Dec 5 which is 90 percent of Montgomery´s black citizens. Many buses were empty throughout there. It was considered a success. Later there was a meeting on expanding the boycott. During this meeting, the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) was formed. MLK was elected president of MIA. They demanded city officials for change. These demands didn't aim to change segregation laws. The MIA voted to continue the boycott later that day, set out a list of demands for city officials on Dec 8th. They still didn't aim to end segregation laws on buses but accepted the rule of having AfAm sit in the back. The demand included hire black drivers, greater courtesy from drivers, and having a first seat policy. The city officials still couldn't offer these demands which heated things up. They then demanded to end segregation on buses. AfAm used alternate forms than riding buses by walking, riding taxis driven by AfAm, etc. The taxi drivers would lower their fare to the same as a bus, but later the city officials made a law preventing this. The MIA established a carpool. Many boycotters were threatened or fired from their jobs, the police would harras the carpools and arrest. They even arrested MLK for ¨speeding¨. The police would also arrest and charge 80 leaders. In 1956, the city took King and MIA to court to end the carpool which took a large toll on the boycott. In 1956 Eddie and MLK´s home was bombed. June 5th, 1956, the MIA filed a federal suit on bus segregation. A court ruled that it violated the 14th amendment and it later went to the SC. In November of 1956, the decision was made. It took action until later in December. The buses were integrated. The boycott lasted 381 days! On Dec 21st they rolled the integrated bus. The violence came after the integration. Buses were no longer segregated, but bus stops were. Snipers would shoot into buses trying to kill. In Jan 1957, 4 black churches were bombed. Thankfully, 7 of the bombers who were part of the KKK were arrested. The boycott ended segregation, MLK became a well-known leader, and inspired many others to protest in a non-violent way.
Buffalo Soldiers
Nickname for African-American soldiers who fought in the wars against Native Americans living on the Great Plains during the 1870s. Main duty was to support nations westwards expansion by protecting settlers, building roads, and protecting the U.S mail. Noone knows why, but the soldiers calvary of the 9th and 10 regimine were dubbed buffalo soldiers. The name rose because the soldiers dark curly hair resembled a buffalo fur. This name was not given in disrepect because the Natives, highly cared for the buffalos. They were noted for their courage and disipline. They served for 5 years and were given 15 dollars a month along with givena room and clothing. They went on to fight the Spanish American war and the Philipine- American War which provided a steady salary. In 1866 6 all black regimines were created after congress passed the army org act. Spet 21 1866 in Kansas is when they formed. Charles Young was one of the few black military leaders/officers. They faced hostility even though they were protecting which caused fights to break out. They became known for courage and gratitude. The army served until 1951 when it was desegregated. In 1948 president Truman elminiated racial segregation in armed forces. The last all-black units were desegregated in the 1950´s. The oldest buffalo soldier Mark Mathews died in Washington DC at the age of 111 in 2005. Dec 12 1951, the soldiers regimines went on to serve for the next 5 decades unitl the dismanment of the 27th calvary.
The Million Man March
Political demonstration in Washingotn on Oct. 19 1995 by Louis. Most of the people who participated were Af-Am and ranged from 400,000 to nearly 1.1 million people. It is one of th elargest gatherings in the country even from LA to Boston and Minnisota to Miami. They arrived from buses, trains, foot, wheelechair in business suits and t-shirts. Some even arrived the day before. By the mroning there were already a lot of people waving flags, and posters. Bishop George A. Stallings delivered the opening prayer. One of the historic moments is when the people gathered hands to recite the pledge. Louis Farrakhan grew up in Boston and became a violinist. By 21 in 1955 he went with a friend to hear Elijah Muhammud speak and soon joined the Black Muslims. Later, he planned the Million Man March in Washington DC which suprised everyone because he was a minister and planned such a non-violent protest. At one point the people began to chant for him. The speech lasted over 2 hours long and he ordered the people to the house of gods. The Nation of Islam was founded in 1930 ( African American movement), Know for teaching traditional Islam with Black nationalist ideas. The nation promotes racial unity and self-help with a strict code of dicipline. In 1978, he began his org with only a few thousand members, but soon opened a movement and centers in England and Gahna. He gained recognition outside the Af-Am community in 1984 when he aligned himself with the U.S presidential election of Jesse Jackson. It was the biggest org to gain popularity after the 1970s. The purpose of the movement was to end black on black violence and to renew their commitment to church, women, children, pledge african american unity and family values in order to bring about spiritual renewal. Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks, Cornell West, and Maya Angelou. In response, 1.1 million Af-Am registered to vote since louis encouraged them to spread the message to others. A letter written on Oct 20, 1995 was published to the public. The writer published what we already know about Louis but goes to explain the most amazing thing was the sheer calmness and gentleness of it all( there was no trouble anywhere.). Many brought their sons and daughters, but very few were partners. Afew women too. The aftermath of this was, voting programs, cleanups, shelters, jobs, anti-violence campaings were initiated. The Nation of Islam saw white people as devils. Therfore many objectified Louis because they stated he contrdicted what he said. Many Black leaders did not support the March. In the days after the march, they felt unity and many told stories about encounting strangers they felt they had known for years. It helped the cause by advancing the idea of unity and responsibility.
Ruby Bridges
The first African-American child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South (New Orleans). She was born September 8, 1954 in Mississippi. When she was 2 her family moved to New Orleans for better opportunities, she was the oldest of all her siblings. In 1954 the board of education ordered for desegregation of schools. She was chosen to take a test to determine if she could attend an all white school. She along with 5 others passed the test. Her parents thought it would be a good idea for her to recieve better education and opportunities. On November 14 1960 she was the first Af-Am to attend an all white school( William france Elementary). On her first day she had to be escorted becasue many people disagreed. They threw, and yelled things to her and she said she say a white woman holding up a black doll in a coffin. She recieved racism everyday she attended school, she couldnt sit in the cafeteria and go out during any of the breaks. Only one teacher was willing to teach her and children left the school because she was attending it. Her name was Barbara Henry. later in her school year, parents began to send their children back to school. When she started her second year, she no longer had to be escorted, hate decreased, and more Af-Am attended. Later she attended a desegregated high school and grew up and became an activist. She opened the Ruby Bridges foundation in New Orleans(created to fight racism and promote differences). She wrote a book Through My Eyes in which she speaks about her experience being the first Af-Am to attend an all white school. She also wrote Ruby Bridges goes to school, This is My Story, and Your Time( struggle for racial equality). Today she remains living in New Orleans with her hiusbad Malcolm and 3 children. She is still a civil rights activist at the age of 66 and has an instagram accountwhere she fights for racial equality. She helped spread the acceptance of af-Am students.
Black Lives Matter Movement
The movement is a social and political movement protesting against police brutality and all racially motivated violence. It fought for Af-Am violence especially in the form of police brutality since more Af-Am are being killed by police than White people. it first started in July 2013 after the shooting of George Simmerman. People started to use #blacklivesmatter to honor his life. The protest has been going on since 2013 but in 2020 more people began to join them and made the government pay more attention to the fact that more people are getting mistreated unfairly by police because of their skin color. 26 million people have participated in the BLM movement including 5 million from the Kaiser foundation. More than 90% of the countries in the U.S have participated. The protest attracts more young and wealthy people. Most were under the age of 35 with an income-earning of more than 150,000 per year. Half of them said it was their first protest. George Floyd's protest began on May 26 in Minneapolis the day after George Floyd was killed during a police arrest. On June 6 half a million people joined the protest in 550 places across the country. The BLM foundation took over 90 million dollars last year in 2020 and was used to be known for more than protest. #BLM has been tweeted more than 30 million times on average 17,000 times a day from July 2013-May 2018. On May 28 2020 there were 8.8 million tweets and the average increased to 3.7 million per day. In May 2020 in addition to cops, 43,000 military troops were deployed while they were peacefully protesting. In 2019 the Washington post counted 13 unarmed Af-Am that were shot. They used tear gas and pepper spray. Many people were asking why not All Lives Matter. Black lives matter does not mean only they matter, it means they matter TOO.
Mary McLeod Bethune
United States educator who worked to improve race relations and educational opportunities for Black Americans (1875-1955). Born 10 years after the civil war ended on July 10 1875 in North Carolina to her former slave parents. She was the 15th out of 17 children and was the first to be born free. Her mother worked for a former owner and she worked there as a child. She walked 5 miles a day to attend school. She was the only one in her family to attend school, so when she got home, she would teach them. After elementary, she expected to go back to the fields but a teacher volunteered her to dress making to provide her with a scholarship. She helped her for the next 50 years until 1930. When she was 12, she attended a intergrated school which was unusual at the time. She wanted to become a missionary, so she used the money from her scholarship to attend Chicago Institue where she was the only black student. She graduated in 1895 but no churches wanted to promote her so she moved back to teach. In 1898 she married a school teacher who was more interested in making money while she was more intereste with her missionary work. So, she separated from him and moved to Florida with her son in 1904. She opened a boarding school for AfAm girls in Florida in 1904. She made and sold her homemade potato pie to pay the $5 downpayment. Tuition was 15 cents a week. She believed that teaching AfAm women improved the lives of their families. The South during that time there was inadequate for the opportunity of school to AfAm especiallt women. This school offered this opportunity. Her school started with only 6 students, wooden crates for desks. Her fundraising made great progress leading with 30 students with the first year. She also had a choir school which helped fund raise by putting on shows. By 1993 the school had faculty and staff of 25 and a student body of 300. She expanded the school by collabing with a boy school institute. She was active in womens clubs. She served as president for the florida federation of colored women from 1917-1924 and was elected president of the South eastern federation of colored women, NCNW 1935-1949. At the time it was the highest office an AfAm women held of the National org of any kind. In 1935 Rosa Belle named her to the NYA to help yound people find jobs and education in Washington DC. She was able to get an AfAm college fund established. 1940-1955 she served as the vice president of the NAACP. For her contributions, she recieved medals, statues, stamps, etc. SHe retired form pblic life 2 years before her death. She died due to a heart attack in florida. She improved the education for Af-Am, fought for womens rights, and opened one of the first schools for Af-AM girls.
Negro League Baseball
a black baseball league (just for blacks because they weren't allowed in the majors) that started in the 1920s. It was founded on Feb 13, 1920, by Ruth Foster. Their first game was in 1920 May 2 in Indianapolis. African- Am were not allowed to play in the MLB because of their race. Rube Foster was a baseball player, pitcher, manager, and owner of the Negro League Baseball. The NLB started slowly, but it grew over time. The average salary for an African American in the NLB was 175 per month, the rookies 75 and the stars 375., 1-1.50 for meals In MLB they received 300-2000 a month and about 15 dollars for meals. The league was composed of 8 teams. the first team to win the league was the Kansas City team. It remained popular in the 1930s and early 1940s. 3 million fans in the 42 seasons. Jackie Robinson was the first Af-Am to play in the MLB. When Jackie played with the Dodgers, he received a lot of discrimination, even from his teammates. The last NLB game was in 1960 and it finished because of financial difficulties and soon, African Americans were given and able to play in the MLB.
Motown Records
record company; played an important role in the integration of African American music into popular music. It was founded by Berry Gordy in Detroit in 1959. It was first named Tamala Records then renamed in April to Motown records in 1960. The biggest star that came out in Motown Records was Michael Jackson. His biggest hit Billie Jean brought attention to the record. There were both white and African American artists/singers that joined the record. Even though the record consisted of both races, it didn't mean the world was at peace. The civil rights movement was happening during this time. It consisted of segregation, violence, unfairness, and other things against Af-Ams. Motown Records advanced the cause by touching people's hearts with art in the form of music, the music being mostly of Af-Ams. Soul music helped break the color barrier. It taught people about equality. It sold to the MCA corporate. It sold for around 61 billion dollars. It is not in Detroit anymore but it is still important because it changed lives, and how people viewed each other.
