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Homer Plessy, a man of African American descent, protested sitting in the train car for “colored” people. He claimed that his rights were being infringed upon and segregation was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation was merely for distinction and as long as the facilities were equal to those of white people, it was not unconstitutional. -
Civil rights leader W.E.B Du Bois along with other activists, gathered near Niagara falls to protest segregation and racism in the recent failure of the Reconstruction socially. This was a main catalyst in the founding of the NAACP. -
A civil rights organization founded by white and black activists in response to racial discrimination and segregation. It grew to become one of the most influential civil rights groups as it addressed many problems throughout the 20th century. From lynching in the 1900s to the outlawing of segregation in the 1950s. -
Allegations came out against a black man. It was said that he assaulted a white female elevator operator. An event of complete violence against Tulsa’s accomplished black community of Greenwood in light of the recent mystery. This left their neighborhood in ruins, hundreds dead, and thousands homeless. It was later found that the black man may have tripped and accidentally grabbed the woman's arm. -
This is an era where major laws were passed and more attention was brought to the struggles of minorities. Especially in a society that segregated them from opportunities.
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A 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham fell victim to a racially motivated bombing, killing 4 girls and injuring others. The location was a meeting place for many civil rights leaders. The bombing seemed to be in retaliation of the integration of schools. This tragedy brought more attention to the struggle of integration in the South. -
This was in complete opposition of the previous verdict of Plessy v. Ferguson. The case ruled that “separate but equal” was constitutional to justify segregation. The case in question was brought along by the NAACP’s series of lawsuits against segregation. Linda Brown was denied entry into an all white elementary school in Kansas. The final verdict proved that segregation in schools was unconstitutional/illegal since facilities were obviously not equal. -
A period of time where African Americans protested the segregation of city buses by demonstrating how they do not need industry. Doing so by walking or other means of transportation. This also marked the emergence of prominent civil rights leaders, including pivotal moments. Such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. -
A prior all white school in Arkansas, Central High School, was becoming desegregated by allowing 9 black students to attend the school. Outrage came with the news as Governor Faubus called for the National Guard to protect their entry in the school. While attending, the black students were not allowed to be together in a single class and faced many racially motivated acts of discrimination. -
Izola Curry, a schizophrenic, stabbed MLK at a book signing. It’s importance surrounds that fact that it strengthened his resolve. He realized that if he died he would have missed key Civil Rights movements, such as the Selma to Montgomery March. -
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee Was made in response to the lack of a voice in young African Americans pertaining to the civil rights movement and SCLC. Their main intentions began with efforts to combat segregation. This organization for students played key roles in events of protest like the Freedom Riders and series of marches organized by the SCLC (MLK). -
They were groups of white and black civil rights activists that rode buses throughout the South protesting bus segregation. They aimed to use whites only restrooms and facilities at bus stops. Along the way, they were met with police brutality and violent white protesters -
Outlawed the poll tax fee as means to deny someone the right to vote in any primary or election. It was a requirement for voting and could easily be used to justify the disenfranchisement of black people. -
A pivotal event in the progression of Civil Rights in the U.S. This legislation outlawed discrimination in public places and employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was going to be signed in by JFK, though it was passed on to his successor LBJ. This finally made segregation illegal. (Did not mean it would stop happening immediately.) -
To fight against voter intimidation and discrimination black and white people volunteered to host a registration drive to increase the African American vote in Mississippi. This influenced the future Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act due to the many incidences of violence, arrests, and murder from white Southerners and the Klu Klux Klan. -
This became part of a series of protests in Alabama that were used to bring attention to the struggles of black voters that still exist. This was met with a lot of resistance by white southerners. In March of 1965, protesters marched the 54 mile route from Selma to Montgomery and were met with many local authorities and violent white southerners. To the extent to where many suffered severe injuries and some were even killed. -
This noticed and outlawed discriminatory practices that prevented African Americans from voting. It did so by banning literacy tests and soon after poll taxes. Signed in by LBJ. -
This political organization was founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale for the sake of police brutality on African Americans. Members would show their support by wearing their natural hair (afro), a black leather jacket, and black pants. This group supported overall efforts of the Black Power and civil rights. Unlike MLK they believed in self defense. -
The first African American U.S. Supreme Court justice. He played a key role in ending segregation; he won the case of Brown v. Board of Education. Marshall was also on the legal defense team of the NAACP. He was previously nominated by John F. Kennedy, though it was not confirmed and was opposed by many Southerners. -
Martin Luther King Jr., the main leader of a series of non violent civil rights protests in the mid 1950s and the SCLC, was shot by James Earl Ray. This injustice sparked outrage and riots around the whole country. Though this sparked growth in the black power movement, it also caused white and black people to divide even more. -
The first person of hispanic descent to be appointed as a justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Nominated by President Obama on May 26 of that year. Coming from an impoverished territory, she is an advocate of affordable housing and minority education. She was also involved with solving scandals of racism and bigotry.