Modern Civil Rights Movement

1. Modern Civil Rights Movement What is the difference between de facto and de jure segregation? How did people react to desegregation in the South? How did students play a role in the CRM? What legislation was passed to further civil rights in the 1960s?

2. You know these people…

3. But, what about them? Charles Houston, the “man who killed Jim Crow” (NAACP lawyer) Thurgood Marshall, first Black Supreme Court Justice Emmett Till, 14; brutally murdered in Mississippi—sparks movement

4. After Brown • Many states chose to ignore the Browncase; implementation was ignored • De facto discrimination: disc./segregation made out of practice by individuals • Brown II (1955) rules segregated school systems ended “with all deliberate speed” • Enforcement by federal district court judges (less immune to pressure) • LDF/NAACP continue litigation • South continues to avoid mandates • Murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi • Arkansas: “Little Rock Nine” • Cooper v Aaron (1958): Arkansas Governor’s actions were unconstitutional, as were “evasive schemes” of Brown

5. Resistance • Montgomery, AL and Rosa Parks (1955) • Leader of NAACP Youth Council • Refused to leave her seat on seg. bus • Boycott of buses—led by local church leaders • MLK, 26, put in charge of Montgomery Improvement Association • 1956: federal court rules bus system violated equal protection clause (14th amendment)

6. Civil Rights Groups • Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) created by MLK in 1957 • Southern base, religious culture • Non-violent protest, civil disobedience focus • Sit-ins begin with student movement at NC A&T on Feb. 1, 1960 (Woolworth Lunch Counter) • Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) formed 1960 • Grassroots, “radical”, black and white students • Lead “Freedom Rides” across the South

7. 1963 • 1963: MLK launches massive protest in Birmingham, AL; met with brutality • Gains national TV attention, JFK proposed legislation • Other bombings, violence lead to push for national laws • March on Washington, “I Have a Dream” • JFK Assassinated Nov. 22 • LBJ focuses on civil rights; focus now on lobbying • Not just rights, but anti-discrimination, anti-poverty

8. Civil Rights Act 1964 • Public opinion, even in the South, was changing about integration • CRA met heavy Southern resistance in the Senate • Strom Thurmond leads longest filibuster in history—8 weeks. • The act: • ENDS de jure discrimination: segregation/disc. made legal by courts • Outlawed discrimination in voting • Ends discrimination in public accommodations engaged in interstate commerce • Authorized DOJ to create lawsuits to desegregate public facilities, schools • Less than 1% AA children in South in integrated schools • No federal funds for discriminatory state and local programs • No employment discrimination (race/color, sex, religion, beliefs, origin)—Title VII • Creates Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

9. Impact of CRA • 1965: Voting Rights Act • Southern vs Northern African American perception of civil rights implementation • 1964-1968 burning, looting, riots in North • Malcolm X, radical leader, believes in complete separation of races for each to survive • 1968 Assassination of MLK leads to race riots across the nation