Civil Rights Stories
Civil Rights March in Birmingham, Alabama
Prior to the changes begun by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, “Whites Only” signs were commonly placed in restaurants, theaters, buses, trains, and other public accommodations throughout the United States. “Whites Only” was not just a sign to designate seating according to race, it was a sign that represented a sadly long history of discrimination against non-whites. Racial discrimination permeated the power structure of local, state and federal government and defined the nation’s culture on many levels.
Despite the pain and injustice experienced by many, stories from the movement demonstrate the courage of individuals of all races in the face of adversity and the resilience of communities striving for a more complete democracy. Although this history seems to be more and more in the distant past, the need for racial-healing today has been pointed out by leaders from a variety of organizations.
Students of the Civil Rights Movement have the opportunity today to develop more than knowledge, they have the opportunity to develop respect for the sacrifices of past generations and compassion for those who are different than themselves. Developing a better understanding of this history in the classroom can give students a better foundation for the decisions they will be faced with in the course of their generation’s social justice challenges.
While the battle for civil rights was largely fought in the courts and legislatures of the country, activists at the “grass roots” level were developing nonviolent strategies for social change. The “sit-in” movement began in the South in February 1960 after four black college students in Greensboro, North Carolina, sat at a whites-only lunch counter to protest racial segregation in restaurants. “Freedom Rides” were staged by black and white students protesting segregation on interstate buses. Peaceful marches were organized, including the 1963 March on Washington – the largest peaceful demonstration ever held in the United States.
Students, Eric Slessarev (center) and Jesse Harber (right), interview Clarence B. Jones about his experience as Martin Luther King, Jr's attorney.
The era of segregation and discrimination was horrific in many ways with society-wide and ongoing implications. This legacy affects society on many levels today, yet many are forging ahead and seeking to heal the present by interpreting and discussing the past. Throughout this history, we see that individuals from all races and backgrounds came together under the most trying of circumstances. Oral history is a powerful and effective tool for documenting the stories of such individuals.
Through oral history interviews, students not only document history, they make a direct connection to the history of civil rights in a way that is meaningful to them. By creating structured dialogue in their interviews, students can explore the concepts of memory, justice, truth, reconciliation, forgiveness, victim-hood, and reparation in society. Students gain a more authentic view, while raising their awareness as they consider how they might effect change in today’s social justice issues.
Organizations like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute are providing refreshing and innovative approaches to teaching this important part of American history.