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first kentucky derby
The first Kentucky derby was held on May 17th 1875. It was right after congress passed the civil rights act in which prohibited discrimination in public places. 14 out of the 15 racers in the first ever Kentucky derby where African Americans. This started a new era in the fight for civil rights. -
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington was a very famous jazz musician and a subtle supporter and follower of the Civil Rights Movement. He always refused to play in front of all-white audiences. He also assembled more members for his band, but because of the Jim Crow laws, they were not allowed to sit together. Duke then got three tour buses so they would not be close to each other. -
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was criticized By black musicians and black Activist because he was said to perform soly for white audiences, but he had a more subtle way of dealing with Racial issues. Such as his song, "Whats did I do to be so black and blue." It is a powerful protest against racial discrimination. -
Jesse Owens
During the 1936 Olympics, in Nazi Germany, Jesse Owens became the first African American to win 4 gold medals at a single Olympic games. His astonishing fleet in track and field spiraled in to a world of desegregation and allowing black athletes being able to play along side white athletes. -
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was a popular jazz-pop artist in the 1930s. Her most popular song, "Strange Fruit", was based upon the lynching of two black men. It focused around the horrid images of bodies hanging from trees, and the disembodiment of the human spirit. This song was her repertoire for more than 20 years. -
Gone With the Wind
Gone With the Wind was a movie made in 1939 that focused around slavery and other events during the Civil War. It received critical acclaim upon its release, and also allowed Hattie McDaniel, one of the main characters, to be the first African American to win an Academy award. -
Jackie Robinson
Black and white people had seperate leages for every sport, Until Jackie robinson broke the color barrier by being the first black person on a white baseball team. He was number 43 for the brooklin Dodgers. This started the movement in intergration of sports teams. -
James Baskett
James Baskett was the first African american male to be awarded the Oscar. The Oscar was for his role as Uncle Remus in the Walt Disney movie songs of the south, witch was released in 1946. It was a big deal for the movie industry and many actor follow in his footsteps today. -
Chuck Cooper
Chuck Cooper was the first African American to be drafted into the NBA. THe draft was held in 1950 and not only he was drafted but 2 other players along side him, Earl Lloyd and Nat Clifton. This followed in the footstep that Jackie Robinson made. -
"I Spy"
I Spy was a detective show in the 1960s. It was a very popular show. Its executive producer, Sheldon Leonard, slated the role of Culp's( Kelly Robinson) fatherly mentor to none other than Bill Cosby. Some stations in the South refused to air the show because of an African American playing the role of a leading character in the show. -
The Bill Cosby Show
The Bill Cosby Show was a major turning point during the Civil Rights Movement. It was a show that starred one of the first all-black casts. Most shows during its time were very stereotypical of African Americans, but this show changed that. It is remembered as one of the most iconic shows during the 1960s and 1970s.
