-
Frederick Douglass
He wrote a book titled "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave". This book was important because it provided a detailed account of his experience with slavery. It made the details of the brutality of slavery more widely known. Some critics of him believed that he hadn't actually been a slave, so he also wrote the book to prove them wrong. -
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
In this speech, Frederick Douglass challenges the idea of Independence Day. He does this by stating that, although the day was created to celebrate freedom, Black Americans don't get that same gift. He states that a slave is human just like everyone else. His speech is very powerful, and directly challenges the principles of the nation, and shows the striking contrast between the country's ideas, and their practices. -
Lincoln's Second Inagural Address
Lincoln gave his second inaugural address one month before the end of the Civil War. In his address, he talks about how the country needs to reunify after the war has torn them apart. He speaks many times about God, and how, while the north and south have different opinions on slavery, they follow the same God, and are united in that way. He wants the country to come back together, and he hates no one for their decisions. -
W.E.B. DuBois
He was the first Black American to earn a PHD from Harvard, and he founded the NAACP. He promoted education for black people, and believed that they should go to school and get good jobs so they can earn respect, instead of trying to fight for their rights. The NAACP fought for civil rights and led campaigns to stop lynching. Their work eventually led to segregation in schools being outlawed. -
"Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston
This story follows an African American washwoman who has to live with her abusive husband. The story empowers Black women by showing how they can stand up to their circumstances and change their lives. This happens through Delia, the main character, who finally decides to stand up to her husband's abuse one day, after taking it for years. She is finally free when her husband dies from a snake bite, from a snake that he originally brought into the house to torment Delia. -
A 'Forgotten History' of How The US Government Segregated America
In 1934, a new government administration called the Federal Housing Administration was established. This administration worked to ensure that African Americans could not purchase homes, or get mortgages for their existing homes. They used a tactic called redlining, so that mortgage companies knew not to insure homes in black populated neighborhoods. Eventually, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 was passed, allowing Black Americans to purchase homes, even though these homes weren't affordable to them. -
The Zoot Suit Riots and Wartime Los Angeles
Zoot suits were a popular fashion trend, usually worn by Mexican American and Black American men.The death of a man named José Gallardo Díaz in 1942 led many to believe that the zoot suit was gang-affiliated. On May 31, 1943, a large fight broke out in Los Angeles between sailors and Mexican-Americans wearing zoot suits, and on June 3, a large group of sailors went through the streets and brutally beat anyone wearing a zoot suit. On June 8, the riots ended when the military came in. -
Malcolm X
Malcolm X participated in many public speeches to fight for civil rights. His main difference from other leaders, was that he wasn't nonviolent, and believed his people should fight for their rights by any means necessary. Because he was a Muslim, he made a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in 1964, and afterwards, he decided to work with other leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, on peaceful methods to fight for civil rights. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks most famously fought for civil rights by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man on December 1, 1955. This decision led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott after her arrest, and finally led to the desegregation of the buses in 1956. She also protested housing segregation, and attended the March on Washington. -
Bus Segregation Declared Unconstitutional
After the Montgomery bus boycott lasted 381 days, the bus company in the city agreed to desegregate their buses. The city and the state continued to enforce Jim Crow laws even after this. On December 20, 1956, the US Government Declared bus segregation unconstitutional. -
A Letter to My Nephew
In his letter to his nephew, James Baldwin talks about how the world is not a good place for African Americans like themselves. He discusses how the world has hardly changed since his grandfather has lived, and the world will be the same for his nephew. He says that although the world is hard, they can fight for their rights and make the world a better replace one day. -
The Supreme Court Orders Ole Miss to Integrate
In January of 1961, a man named James Howard Meredith applied for the University of Mississippi, and was denied because he was black. He brought his case to court, eventually going all the way to the supreme court, who ruled in favor of him. On September 30, 1962, a riot broke out at the school when Meredith attempted to enter, but the government sent troops in to defend him from the rioters. This event showed that the government was serious about protecting the civil rights of black Americans. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr was a leader who fought for civil rights nonviolently, through speeches and protests. He played a role in organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks's arrest. He participated in sit ins in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, eventually leading to the city desegregating public spaces. His most widely remembered action was his "I have a dream" speech during the March on Washington in 1963. -
March On Washington
On August 28, 1963, nearly 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to express support for the civil rights bill. Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous "I have a dream" speech here, as well as many other speakers. This was very important because even though so many people were in attendance, the entire protest was peaceful. -
Civil Rights Act
The bill was introduced in 1963 by president John F. Kennedy, and was signed into law by president Lyndon B. Johnson. It banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in public places. Discrimination in hiring practices was outlawed, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was established. -
Voting Rights Act
While the Civil Rights Act was important, it did not grant black people the right to vote. On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill granting black Americans the right to vote. This was a major milestone in the Civil Rights movement, as black Americans had been fighting for the right to vote for hundreds of years. -
Between The World And Me
In this work, Coates describes how America claims to be a perfect nation, but they are built on the oppression of Black people. In this writing, he names several African Americans who have been killed unfairly, when all they were doing was trying to live their lives. He talks about how the country is built on hurting his people and no one is held responsible for the past actions.