Emmett Till Story

Emmett Till, also known as Bobo born July 25, 1941 in Chicago, IL.  As a young man he was always known as a very muscular, athletic boy.  By the age of 14 "Bobo" was known as the oldest looking kid in the town he fooled numerous adults into believing that he was an adult by how he acted, stood tall and by his physical presence.  With all of this happening you would think that he would be well liked and able to get along with everybody which was true, for the most part.  On August 21, 1955 he arrived outside of a local grocery store with his uncle and his cousin Curtis Jones after they skipped church.  The owners of the store were a young couple by the names of Roy and Carolyn Bryant who were around the age of 24.  That particular day Carolyn was alone working in the store when the young boys came in to buy some candy as they normally did every week.  The boys that he hung out with were constantly daring him and telling him to go talk to the alone Carolyn, and finally he took up their offer and went and spoke to her.  There is numerous different stories of what exactly he said some say he just whistled at her or some say that he said, "bye baby" to her.  Well whatever he said it still upset the white people at the time and they wanted to make sure he knew what he did was wrong and they did.  Carolyn's newly wedded husband Roy was on the look out for Emmett and when he got a tip of where he might be he jumped on it.  Him and his brother-in-law found him staying at his great uncles house for the trip.  They found him and what they did after that is unspeakable.  First they transported him to a barn in the middle of nowhere, beat his face in with different weapons, then they gouged one of his eyes out then to dispose of the body they tied a cotton gin (70 pounds) around his neck with barb wire and tossed it and him into the Tallahatchie River where his body was found 3 days later down stream.

EB, DS

Ray-Black Panthers

The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was formed right here in Oakland, California in October, 1966. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale were the original founders. Later the name of the party was changed to Black Panther Party (BPP). The party was formed when there was blatant racism prevailing in the United States and most African Americans could not make much progress. In the summer of 1968 the David Brothers established the BPP branch in Brooklyn, New York. A few months later a branch was established in Harlem by Lumumba Shaker. Subsequently, many more branches of the BPP were formed all over the country, mostly in poor African American neighborhoods. BPP movement moved to the East coast and found fertile ground in Chicago, New York, and Harlem.

This Video informs you about the BPP and Revolutionary Communist Party leader, Bob Avakian speaks about the party.

Malcolm X Biography

Born: May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska
Died: February 21, 1965 in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom
Famous for: Another major leader for the Civil Right movement.

Malcolm X came from a family of 8.  His mother was a homemaker and his father was a Baptist minister.  Malcolm graduated in the top of his class, he was a very smart and focused student in school.  His dream was always to become a lawyehttp://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.htmlr but when one of his teachers said that it was "no realistic goal for a nigger".  (This quote came from the site:  http://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.html ).  After that quote from his teacher he lost interest in school and dropped out.  He then proceeded to move to Harlem and started committing petty crimes.  After a few years of that Malcolm moved backed to Boston and was arrested and charged with burglary and sentenced to 10 years in jail.  But, because he of parole he only ended up serving 7 years.  After getting out of prison he became a leader and began making speeches about human rights saying "human rights are something you are born with.  Human rights are your God-given rights.  Human rights are the rights that are recognized by all nation of this earth."


Malcolm X Speech




L.S

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bio

         Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, the middle child of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King.King Jr. had an older sister, Willie Christine King, and a younger brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King. Dr. King was a great student, he skipped both the ninth and the twelfth grade and entered Morehouse College at age fifteen without formally graduating from high school.In 1948, he graduated from Morehouse with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, and enrolled in Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1951.King married  Coretta Scott , on June 18, 1953, on the lawn of her parents' house in her hometown of Heiberger, Alabama.They had four kids together .King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in  Montgomery, Alabama, when he was twenty-five years old, in 1954. He led the 1955, Montgomery Bus Boycott  and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference  in 1957, serving as its first president. King's efforts led to the 1963, March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he expanded American values to include the vision of a color blind society, and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Information comes from http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-93650
By .SS
    This is the speech that everyone will always remember !

Rosa Parks Mini Bio

Born February 4 , 1913 in Tuskegee , Alabama
Death: October 24 , 2005
Famous For: Not giving up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus.

Born  Rosa Louise McCauley, She had to endure the hard times of the Civil Rights movement and Segregation. Her mother and father seperated and Rosa's mother moved her to a little town in Alabama.She never went to college , but she married this man by the name of Raymond Parks who was a barber and also a memeber of the (NAACP) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Thanks to him she got her high school degree in 1933. During education years Rosa attended many segregated schools in Montegomery , Alabama. To learn more about this wonderful, Strong black woman http://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715 .

Rosa Parks on the Bus in Montegomery ,Alabama 

D.W.

Jared'sThurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was a courageous civil rights lawyer during a period racial segregation was the law of land.who ended legal segregation in the United States. He won Supreme Court victories breaking the color line in housing, transportation and voting, all of which overturned the 'Separate-but-Equal' apartheid of American life in the first half of the century. It was Marshall who won the most important legal case of the century, Brown v. Board of Education, ending the legal separation of black and white children in public schools. The success of the Brown case sparked the 1960s civil rights movement, led to the increased number of black high school and college graduates and the incredible rise of the black middle-class in both numbers and political power in the second half of the century.

For more information about Marshall Click here.

He demonstrated that people of all races have the ability to be smart and succeed, and should not be held back by what other people think. He showed the American spirit by helping those who needed help, and he used his talents in the field of law to give African Americans an equal part in society. As a great American, he risked his reputation to help others. Marshall wanted to make the words "Equal Justice Under Law" a reality for all people. Because of his achievements, courtesy towards others, and integrity, Thurgood Marshall, like Martin Luther King, Jr., is a great example of what an American should be.


Here's a short film thats speaks upon the board of education and Thurgood Marshall.

Freedom Riders

Freedom Riders

Freedom Riders tells the story of a courageous band of civil rights activists who challenged segregation, simply by traveling side by side on buses and trains through the Deep South in 1961. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, more than 400 black and white college students risked their lives—and many met with bitter racism, mob violence and imprisonment—sorely testing their belief in nonviolent activism. 

In the first few days, the riders encountered only minor hostility, but in the second week the riders were severely beaten.

“My objective is not just to make a point, but to bring about a real change in the situation. We will continue the Ride until people can sit wherever they wish on buses and use the facilities in any waiting room available to the public. Please tell the attorney general that we have been cooling off for 350 years. If we cool off anymore, we will be in a deep freeze. The Freedom Ride will go on.”

This article from The Oprah Show explains more on the Freedom Riders and their struggles.

PBS Video goes into the depth about the Freedom Riders and their movement toward freedom.

Freedom Riders were repeatedly attacked by violent mobs and suffered malicious attacks.

KD

Martin Luther King Nonviolence Justice

Martin Luther King method in the solution to racial justice is nonviolence.  According to the King there is 5 really important points that are to be made concerning nonviolence as a better solution in bring an end to the bad racial condtions. First one would be to pursuade your opponent that he is mistaken.  Second win over his friendship and understanding.  Third is direct your action toward evil other than the persons that are caught in those forces.  Fourth understand the principle of love cut off the chain of hate. And finally the belief in god becasue god is on the side of truth and justice. (For more information goes deeper in the subject:  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/sources/ps_nonviolence.html ).

KM

                                             

click here for information on the Desegregation of Schools

Video talking about the Brown v. Board of Education case

The segregation of schools never made any sense to me. Anyone should be able to go to school no matter their race. I'm very glad that an end was put to the segregationing of schools.The Brown vs. Board of Education case is what declaired the segregation of schools unconstitutional. Mississippi was one of the first sates in the U.S. to desegregate schools.  

Chrissy -- Chicago Freedom Movement

Chicago Freedom Movement (1966)

The Chicago Freedom Movement was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and focused on non-violence while trying to achieve putting a spotlight on housing discrimination. The Chicago Freedom Movement declared its intention to end slums in the city. It organized tenants unions, assumed control of a slum tenement, founded action groups like Operation Breadbasket, and rallied black and white Chicagoans to support its goals.

This information was found at this website

African Americans all had struggles during this time period, and the Chicago Freedom Movement had goals to help all African Americans with these struggles. This site explains details about the Chicago Freedom Movement's goals.

This video goes into detail about how the Chicago Freedom Movement made non-violence work.

The KKK

The KKK by Nicole Durst

The KKK or more formally known as the Ku Klux Klan, was a terrorist organizations that begun with Confederate Army Soldiers. There were three steps of the KKK. The first one originated in the south but was eventually 'wiped out' due to procescution of their crimes. The second wave of the KKK was contained in a small area in Georgia. The last uprising of the KKK began in the 1950s and has never ceased. While their practices such as the burning the cross and performing lynchings are not seen today, the Ku Klux Klan still remains at large.

JG



Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech was one of the most inspiring speeches in the history of the United States.  This speech, and the events that lead up to this speech, was a major turning point for freedom to those being discriminated against.

This website gives good information on MlK Jr.'s speech, and events before and after his speech.


Click here for most of the I Have a Dream speech.

Martin Luther King Jr's Early Life

Born: Janurary 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia.

Death: April 4, 1968 Memphis Tennessee.

Famous for: the "I Have a Dream" speech and one of the main leaders of the Civil Rights movement.

Growing up Martin Luther King Jr. came from a middle class family with a strong ministry background.  At 15 years old Dr. King went to Morehouse College.  Before that however he spent the summer at a tobacco farm in Connecticut.  He was very suprised to see that blacks and whites mixed in together.  He said "Negroes and whites go to the same church".  It seems that King was very surprised that people of different color go to the same places in such segregated times.  More on this topic can be found at the following site:  http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086

 Martin Luther King Jr. 'I Have a Dream" speech

L.S & D.W

Laws Against Lynching

What is lynching?

                     
***Lynching is the practice of killing people by extrajudicial mob action.

           It has been reported that 3446 African Americans and 1297 white men here lynched in between the times of 1882 & 1968.

The lynching and burning of African American Fred Alexander in Leavenworth, Kansas on January 15, 1901, and its repercussions. The author states that Alexander was accused of rape and murder. The author explains that William Forbes, the father of the murdered girl Pearl Forbes, was the one who started the fire. How this event mobilized the African American community is examined. The author talks about the participation of African Americans in the election of 1900. The investigation of Pearl's death is also discussed.

***This journal explains more on lynching and the background of all of this.

 

This Youtube Video by Billie Holiday, is a song about Lynching.It  has a powerful and deep meaning. It really makes you think about lynching.

These are the lyrics to the song Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday.

Nicole Durst & KD

Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King was Martin Luther Kings wife.  She helped lead the African-American civil war, she also  was an author.  Coretta hit her peak in leading the womens movement.  She took on the leadership of the struggle for racial equality for women.  Martin Luther King was very fond of his wife, and her work ethic.  He stated in a speech, referring to Coretta saying "I am indebted to my wife Coretta, without whose love, sacrifices, and loyalty neither life nor work would bring fulfillment. She has given me words of consolation when I needed them and a well-ordered home where Christian love is a reality." Coretta took complete control over womans rights.  That was her biggest goal and focus.  She called for women to unite and form a solid block of women power to fight the three great evils of racism, poverty and war."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHm8djZqTzk

Above is a link to Coretta Kings 1996 Atlanta Pride Festival speech.

sf

Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" Speech

Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who called for peaceful protest. He believed in nonviolence, and that every man should be equal. One of his most famous speeches, I Have a Dream, told about the injustice black people faced, and how there is still hope to obtain their right to liberty. This speech greatly influenced many people and gave them a certain kind of hope for America. This speech told about the urgency there is in treating black people fairly, for the brotherhood of mankind. And only after everyone is treated equally, can they live in a peaceful America. This showed Martin Luther King Jr's heart, though he was kicked and knocked down many times he still had hope for America and still had love for his country.

Here is a link to the full  "I Have A Dream" Speech

According to LBJ: "We Shall Overcome"

What is about to be linked is a copy of Lyndon B Johnson's famous "We Shall Overcome" speech. This was given live on TV and it changed the course of the Civil Rights Movement because in essence, LBJ had given the movement his endorsement. The speech he gave is very honest and down to earth. You almost want to stop everything you're doing and just listen to what he has to say because his words and tone are reminiscent to when, say, a grandfather inspires you. A nice little tidbit is that he uses religion in this speech as well to appeal to as many listeners as possible: "He really favors the undertaking the we begin here tonight".


Here is the link (with audio of the speech and full text as well):

Post by: MC

Chrissy and Jared's blog on The Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party's Platform (1969):

The Black Panther Party was a progressive political organization that stood in the vanguard of the most powerful movement for social change in America since the Revolution of 1776 and the Civil War. The Party began to develop a series of social programs to provide needed services to black and poor people, promoting thereby, at the same time, a model for an alternative, more humane social scheme.

This information was found at this website 

The Party had 10 points of what they wanted and what they believed. This site describes their desires and gives detail about them.

This video shows in detail what it was like in the Black Panther Party during this time period.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was born in Febuary 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama.  During her childhood she had encountered mainy racial discrimination, and her grandparents were advocates for racial equality standing up the the worst of racial discrimination the Klu Klux Klan.  Rosa Parks was best known for her refusal in giving up her seat in a bus to a white person in Montgomery and later arrested by this action it sparked a city wide boycott that ending in a victory for all black Americans Rosa Parks was considered a national hero.  She stated "I knew I someone had to take the first step andi made up my mind not to move."  (information from: http://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715     and       http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/rosa_parks.htm

This is a picture of Rosa Parks in front of the bus that she took a stand

by: KH & SS

JG and KM

This video is about MLK Jr. and his assassination

Click here for more on King

Martin Luther King's assassination was devistating to many people.  Because of his assassination, there were many riots throughout the country.  Over 110 cities in the U.S. were affected by these riots following his death.  One major riot occurred in Washingtion D.C., lasting a total of five days. 

Malcolm X Assasination

At the height of the Civil Rights Movement, an atmosphere of tension and racial violence simmered under a thin veil that called for peaceful demostrations and marches. However, under this veil lay a movement that called for self defense "by any means necessary". Now what you consider "by any means necessary" is entirely based on your interpretation. Leading the call to this movement of self-determination was a man by the name of Malcolm X. His views of using violence to defend African American rights was highly controversial but was (and still is) at the time influential.

Malcolm X was a man who was the polar opposite of the peaceful and calm Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ironically, it wasn't the white cultrue that threatened (publicly) to murder or assasinate him. When he left the Muslim group: The Nation of Islam, a lot of anger stirred within the organization. On February 21, 1965, this anger culminated to his assasination at the Audubon Ballrom in Atlanta by 3 members of the organization (Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler, and Thomas 15X Johnson).

Thought out, written, and contemplated by: MC, KM, SF

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech" (1963)

Here is the full version of King's famous speech given on the steps of the Lincoln  Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington. It is absolutely worth watching the whole thing--we usually only see clips and excerpts from the speech, but it is far more powerful and moving to see the whole thing. Try and imagine, as you watch, how it would have felt to be there in person. How would King's speech have affected you? What emotions does he touch? What do you think of the message?

Click here for the video