USH: Civil Rights Movement

Jim Crow Laws

• State and local laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the Southern United States from the late 1800s to the 1960s

• These laws restricted African Americans' rights, including access to public facilities, education, and voting, and were eventually overturned by the Civil Rights Movement

WEB Du Bois

• an influential African American scholar, writer, and civil rights activist

• a co-founder of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and advocated for the rights of Black people

• Du Bois was known for his work on racial equality, his belief in the importance of higher education, and his push for political and social change

• His book The Souls of Black Folk is one of his most famous works, exploring the challenges and experiences of Black Americans

Booker T. Washington

• influential African American educator, author, and leader

• founded the Tuskegee Institute and believed in vocational and industrial education for Black people as a path to economic independence and equality

• Washington advocated for gradual progress and accommodation with segregation, focusing on self-help and hard work

A. Philip Randolph

• civil rights leader and labor organizer who fought for racial and economic justice

• best known for leading the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

• led the first predominantly African American labor union, fought for fair wages, and helped organize the March on Washington, which pushed for racial equality and economic justice

Plessy v. Ferguson

• landmark Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal"

• The ruling allowed segregation in public facilities, stating that as long as the facilities were equal in quality, separation of races did not violate the Constitution

• It reinforced Jim Crow laws and institutionalized racial segregation in the U.S. until it was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954

De Jure Segregation

• racial segregation that is mandated by law

• It occurs when government policies or laws require the separation of people based on race, such as in schools, public transportation, or housing

• This type of segregation was common in the U.S. under Jim Crow laws

• institutionalized racial inequality and discrimination, making it difficult for African Americans to access equal opportunities and rights

• This legal segregation persisted until the Civil Rights Movement led to its dismantling in the 1960s

De Facto Segregation

• racial segregation that happens by social practices or habits, rather than by law

• It often occurred in schools, housing, and neighborhoods due to factors like economic disparity, personal preferences, or discriminatory practices, even though laws didn't explicitly mandate it

• It was important because, unlike de jure segregation, it wasn't easily challenged in court, as it wasn't legally enforced

• However, it still reinforced racial inequality and segregation, particularly in the North, and continued to impact African Americans' access to resources and opportunities

James Farmer & CORE

• civil rights leader and co-founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)

• CORE was a key organization in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination, promoting nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience

• They were important because CORE played a central role in organizing major civil rights actions like the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington

• Farmer and CORE pushed for desegregation and equal rights, significantly influencing the Civil Rights Movement

Jackie Robinson

• the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, breaking the color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers

• He was important because his entry into MLB challenged racial segregation in sports, inspiring the Civil Rights Movement and showing that African Americans could excel at the highest levels despite racial prejudice

• Robinson's courage and success helped pave the way for greater racial integration in other areas of American society

NAACP

• (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is a civil rights organization founded in 1909 to fight for the rights and equality of African Americans

• It was important because the NAACP played a crucial role in challenging racial segregation and discrimination through legal challenges, public advocacy, and campaigns

• It helped secure landmark legal victories, including the Brown v. Board of Education case, which ended school segregation

Thurgood Marshall

• a lawyer and the first African American Supreme Court Justice

• He was best known for his role in fighting racial segregation and discrimination through the legal system

• He was important because he successfully argued the Brown v. Board of Education case, which led to the desegregation of public schools

• As a Supreme Court Justice, Marshall continued to advocate for civil rights, equality, and social justice throughout his career

Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka (1954)

• landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Court declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional

• It was important because it overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision's "separate but equal" doctrine, ruling that separate educational facilities were inherently unequal

• This decision was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, paving the way for desegregation in schools and other public institutions across the United States

Earl Warren

• Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1953 to 1969.

• He was important because he presided over several landmark cases, most notably Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which led to the desegregation of public schools

• Under his leadership, the Court also expanded civil rights and liberties, including rulings on voting rights, criminal justice, and the rights of individuals, significantly shaping the legal landscape of the 20th century

Emmett Till

• a 14-year-old African American boy who was lynched in 1955 in Mississippi after being falsely accused of flirting with a white woman

• He was important because his brutal murder and the subsequent trial, where the killers were acquitted, sparked national outrage and became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement

• Till's death highlighted the extreme racial injustice in the South and galvanized efforts for social and legal change

“Little Rock 9”

• nine African American students who, in 1957, became the first to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, despite resistance and violent opposition

• They were important because their courageous actions highlighted the challenges of school desegregation following the Brown v. Board of Education decision

• The event drew national attention to the struggle for civil rights and led to federal intervention, as President Eisenhower sent the National Guard to enforce the students' right to attend the school

Civil Rights Act of 1957

• first significant civil rights legislation passed since Reconstruction

• It aimed to protect voting rights for African Americans, particularly in the South, by establishing the Civil Rights Commission and giving the federal government more authority to oversee elections

• It was important because it marked the beginning of a legislative effort to address racial discrimination and laid the groundwork for later, more comprehensive civil rights laws, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Rosa Parks

• African American woman who, in 1955, refused to give up her seat to a white person on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama

• She was important because her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement

• Parks' courage helped galvanize national attention to the injustice of segregation, and her actions were a key moment in the fight for racial equality in the U.S

Montgomery Bus Boycott

• 1955-1956 protest against racial segregation on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white person

• It was important because it marked one of the first large-scale protests of the Civil Rights Movement

• The boycott lasted over a year and successfully led to the desegregation of buses in Montgomery

• It also brought Martin Luther King Jr. into the national spotlight as a leader of nonviolent resistance

Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Baptist minister and civil rights leader who championed nonviolent resistance to combat racial segregation and injustice

• He was important because his leadership during the Civil Rights Movement, particularly through events like the March on Washington and his role in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, helped end legal segregation and advance the cause of racial equality in America

• His advocacy for peaceful protests and his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech made him a symbol of hope and change

SCLC

• (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) was a civil rights organization founded in 1957 by Martin Luther King Jr. and other Black ministers and activists

• It was important because the SCLC played a key role in organizing nonviolent protests, such as the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery marches, to fight racial segregation and inequality

• The organization helped to expand the reach of the Civil Rights Movement and was instrumental in advocating for legislative change, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Sit-in

• form of nonviolent protest where participants occupy a space, usually a segregated facility like a lunch counter, and refuse to leave until they are served or the policy is changed

• Sit-ins were important because they directly challenged segregation and were a powerful form of peaceful resistance

• The most famous sit-in occurred in 1960 at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it sparked similar protests across the country, leading to the desegregation of many public places

SNCC (“SNiCk”)

• (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) was a civil rights organization formed in 1960 by young activists, primarily college students, to engage in direct action protests like sit-ins and freedom rides

• It was important because SNCC played a major role in organizing grassroots efforts, including the Freedom Rides, Freedom Summer, and voter registration drives in the South

• The group's focus on youth activism and nonviolent resistance helped energize and expand the Civil Rights Movement

Ella Baker

• civil rights leader and activist who worked with organizations like the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC

• She was important because she emphasized grassroots organizing and believed in empowering local communities to lead their own fight for civil rights

• Baker helped shape the leadership of the Civil Rights Movement by mentoring young activists and promoting collective action over charismatic leadership. Her work laid the foundation for many key movements and organizations in the struggle for racial equality

“Freedom Ride”

• series of bus rides in 1961 organized by civil rights activists to challenge segregated bus terminals in the South, as part of the efforts to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling against segregation in interstate travel.

• They were important because they exposed the deep resistance to desegregation in the South, leading to violent confrontations

• The riders' courage brought national attention to the issue of segregation, and eventually, the federal government intervened to enforce desegregation in bus stations, marking a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement

James Meredith

• African American man who became the first Black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1962

• He was important because his enrollment, despite violent opposition and resistance, marked a key moment in the desegregation of higher education in the U.S. Meredith's struggle and the federal government's intervention highlighted the ongoing fight for civil rights and the federal government's role in enforcing desegregation

Medgar Evers

• African American civil rights activist and the first state field secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi

• He was important because he worked tirelessly to fight segregation, promote voting rights for African Americans, and challenge racial injustice in the South

• His assassination in 1963, by a white supremacist, brought national attention to the violent resistance to civil rights in the South and further galvanized the movement

George Wallace

• Governor of Alabama, most famous for his staunch opposition to the desegregation of schools and his defense of racial segregation during the Civil Rights Movement

• He was important because, in 1963, he symbolized the resistance to the Civil Rights Movement when he stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to block the enrollment of Black students, despite federal orders

• His actions became a symbol of the South's fight to maintain segregation and resistance to the growing demand for civil rights

• Later, his political shift towards more moderate positions also marked the changing political dynamics in the South

Whitney Young (of National Urban League)

• African American civil rights leader and executive director of the National Urban League from 1961 to 1971

• He was important because he worked to improve economic opportunities and living conditions for African Americans, focusing on issues like jobs, housing, and education

• Young played a key role in bridging the gap between the civil rights movement's more radical elements and the business and political establishment, helping to secure federal support for urban development and anti-poverty programs

March on Washington (1963)

• peaceful protest for civil rights and equality

• Over 250,000 people gathered, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech

• It helped push for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and showed the power of peaceful protest

Filibuster

• a tactic used in the U.S. Senate to block or delay legislation by extending debate

• Senators can speak for as long as they want to prevent a vote

• It’s important because it allows a minority of Senators to delay or block laws they oppose, which can influence the legislative process and encourage negotiation

Civil Rights Act of 1964

• a landmark law that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

• It was important because it helped end segregation in schools, workplaces, and public places, and gave the federal government the power to enforce these changes

• It was a major step in the fight for equality and civil rights in the U.S

Roy Wilkins (of NAACP)

• a leader of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) from 1955 to 1977

• He played a key role in the civil rights movement by advocating for equal rights, fighting against segregation, and pushing for important legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• He was important because of his leadership in shaping the legal and political strategies that advanced civil rights in America

Freedom Summer

• Freedom Summer was a 1964 campaign in the U.S. to register African American voters in Mississippi, a state with strong racial discrimination

• It involved over 1,000 volunteers, many of them white college students

• The campaign was important because it brought national attention to the struggle for voting rights and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

• It also helped highlight the dangers faced by civil rights workers in the South

Fannie Lou Hamer (MFDP)

• civil rights activist and leader of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP)

• She was important for her efforts to register African American voters and challenge segregation in the South

• Hamer's powerful testimony at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, where she spoke about the violence and discrimination faced by Black voters, brought national attention to the fight for voting rights

• Her courage and leadership made her a key figure in the civil rights movement

Selma March

• a series of marches in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, led by civil rights activists, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

• It was organized to protest the denial of voting rights to African Americans

• The march is important because it helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed racial discrimination in voting and helped ensure greater political participation for African Americans

Voting Rights Act (1965)

• landmark law that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting

• It banned practices like literacy tests and poll taxes that were used to prevent African Americans from voting

• The law was important because it helped ensure that all U.S. citizens, regardless of race, had the right to vote, significantly increasing African American voter participation and advancing civil rights

24th Amendment

• abolished the poll tax, which had been used to prevent African Americans and poor people from voting, especially in the South

• It was important because it removed a major barrier to voting, helping ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, could participate in elections

Kerner Commission

• officially known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, was established in 1967 to investigate the causes of race riots in U.S. cities

• The commission's report concluded that racism, poverty, and lack of opportunity were key factors behind the unrest

• It was important because it highlighted the need for major reforms in housing, education, and jobs to address racial inequality and prevent future riots

• The report called for greater federal action to promote racial integration and economic justice

Malcom X

• civil rights leader and activist who advocated for Black empowerment, self-defense, and equality

• He was initially a member of the Nation of Islam, where he promoted the idea of Black separatism, but later, he embraced a more inclusive approach to fighting for civil rights after breaking away from the Nation of Islam

• He was important because he challenged the mainstream civil rights movement's focus on nonviolence and inspired many African Americans to take pride in their heritage and demand equality by any means necessary

• His powerful speeches and ideas continue to influence social justice movements

Nation of Islam

• religious and political organization founded in the 1930s in the United States, promoting Black empowerment, self-reliance, and Islam

• Under leaders like Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X, the NOI preached about the need for Black Americans to separate from white society and develop their own economic and social systems

• It was important because it gave many African Americans a sense of pride, identity, and strength during a time of widespread racial discrimination, and it played a significant role in shaping the Black power movement

Stokely Carmichael

• civil rights activist and leader who became prominent in the 1960s

• He was a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and later the Black Panther Party

• Carmichael is best known for popularizing the phrase "Black Power," which called for Black people to take pride in their identity, build independent communities, and fight for their rights

• He was important because his shift from nonviolence to advocating for self-defense and Black empowerment influenced the Black Power movement, highlighting the need for racial pride and self-determination

“Black Power”

• a movement and slogan that called for racial pride, self-determination, and the empowerment of Black people

• It was popularized by leaders like Stokely Carmichael in the 1960s and encouraged Black Americans to assert control over their communities, demand equal rights, and use self-defense if necessary

• It was important because it shifted the focus from integration to self-reliance and pride in Black culture, influencing later civil rights efforts and shaping the Black Panther Party and other organizations advocating for racial justice

Black Panthers

• revolutionary Black nationalist and socialist organization founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale

• It aimed to protect African Americans from police brutality, fight for racial justice, and promote social programs like free breakfasts for children and health clinics

• The Black Panthers were important because they challenged systemic racism and inequality directly, using armed self-defense when necessary, and they became a symbol of Black empowerment and resistance

• Their activism influenced later movements for racial and social justice

Bobby Seale and Huey Newton

• co-founders of the Black Panther Party (BPP) in 1966

• They created the organization to address police brutality, racial inequality, and injustice against African Americans

• Seale was an advocate for Black self-defense, while Newton, a philosopher and strategist, helped develop the BPP’s revolutionary ideas and programs

• They were important because their leadership in the Black Panther Party brought attention to systemic racism, empowered Black communities, and influenced future movements for civil rights and social justic

Assassination of MLK Jr.

• took place on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee

• He was shot while standing on the balcony of his hotel room

• King's death was a tragic moment in American history and marked the loss of one of the most important leaders of the Civil Rights Movement

• It was important because it led to widespread grief, riots, and protests across the country, but also further galvanized the fight for racial equality and justice

• His assassination highlighted the intense opposition to civil rights efforts and made King's message of nonviolent resistance even more significant in the ongoing struggle for equality

Civil Rights Act of 1968

• also known as the Fair Housing Act, was a landmark law that banned discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

• It was important because it helped fight racial segregation in housing, providing African Americans and other minority groups with better access to housing opportunities

• The law was passed shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reflecting a national commitment to address racial inequality and promote civil rights in the aftermath of his death

Affirmative Action

• a set of policies and practices aimed at increasing opportunities for historically underrepresented groups, particularly in education, employment, and government contracting

• It often involves giving preferential treatment to people of color, women, and other minority groups to help correct past discrimination and promote diversity

• It is important because it helps address systemic inequalities and ensures that people from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to succeed, particularly in areas where they have been historically excluded or disadvantaged

• Affirmative action plays a role in creating a more diverse and inclusive society

Feminism

• movement for the advocacy of women's rights and equality between the sexes

• It seeks to challenge and change social, political, and economic systems that have historically disadvantaged women

• Feminism is important because it has led to significant changes in society, such as women gaining the right to vote, better access to education and employment, reproductive rights, and legal protections against discrimination

• It continues to be vital in the ongoing fight for gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide

Betty Friedan

• feminist writer and activist best known for her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique

• The book challenged the traditional roles of women in society, particularly the idea that women should find fulfillment solely through marriage and motherhood

• She was important because her work helped spark the second-wave feminist movement in the U.S. and led to greater awareness of women's rights issues, such as workplace equality, reproductive rights, and gender roles

• Friedan also co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW), which became a key advocacy group for women's rights

NOW

• (National Organization for Women) was founded in 1966 by Betty Friedan and other feminist leaders to advocate for women's rights and equality

• It aimed to address issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, equal pay, and gender equality in education

• NOW was important because it became a leading organization in the women's rights movement, pushing for legal reforms and social change

• Its efforts led to key legislation like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Title IX law in education, which prohibited gender discrimination

• NOW continues to be an influential voice for gender equality today

ERA

• (Equal Rights Amendment) was a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that aimed to guarantee equal rights under the law, regardless of sex

• First introduced in 1923, it gained significant attention in the 1970s. The amendment stated that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

• The ERA was important because it would have provided a clear constitutional guarantee of gender equality, strengthening legal protections against sex-based discrimination

• Although it passed in Congress in 1972, it failed to gain the required ratification by enough states

• The fight for the ERA highlighted the ongoing struggle for women's rights and gender equality in the U.S

Gloria Steinem

• feminist, journalist, and social activist who became one of the leading figures of the women's liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s

• She co-founded Ms. magazine in 1972, which became a platform for discussing women's issues, and she played a key role in advocating for women's rights, reproductive freedom, and gender equality

• She was important because her activism, writing, and public speaking helped bring feminist issues into the mainstream, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for legal and social change

• Steinem's work continues to influence the feminist movement today

Phyllis Schlafly

• conservative activist and political commentator best known for her strong opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the 1970s

• She led the "Stop ERA" campaign, arguing that the amendment would harm traditional family structures and women's rights by promoting gender equality in areas like military service and legal protections

• She was important because her efforts played a key role in the defeat of the ERA, which failed to gain ratification from enough states

• Schlafly became a powerful voice in conservative politics, especially regarding women's roles, and helped shape the direction of the modern conservative movement

Cesar Chávez

• labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union in 1962

• He fought for better wages, working conditions, and rights for farm workers, many of whom were Mexican American and immigrant workers

• Chávez is best known for organizing nonviolent strikes and boycotts, including the famous grape boycott, to pressure employers to improve conditions for farm workers

• He was important because his leadership in advocating for labor rights and social justice helped improve the lives of countless farm workers, bringing national attention to the plight of migrant laborers

• Chávez became a symbol of the struggle for workers' rights and equality for Latino communities

Dolores Huerta

• labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) alongside César Chávez

• She played a key role in organizing farm workers, advocating for better wages, working conditions, and labor rights

• Huerta is particularly known for coining the phrase "Sí, se puede" ("Yes, we can"), which became a rallying cry for social justice movements

• She was important because of her tireless work for farm workers' rights and her leadership in promoting social change

• Huerta's activism helped secure important victories for farm workers, such as improved labor contracts and better working conditions, and she continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for justice and equality

United Farm Workers (UFW)

• labor union founded in 1962 by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta to advocate for the rights of farm workers, many of whom were Mexican American and immigrant laborers

• The union fought for better wages, working conditions, and legal protections for farm workers through nonviolent protests, strikes, and boycotts

• The UFW was important because it brought national attention to the poor working conditions and exploitation faced by farm workers

• Through its efforts, the UFW won significant improvements in workers' rights, including better pay, safer working environments, and the ability to negotiate labor contracts

• The union played a key role in the broader movement for social and labor justice in the United States

Chicano Movement

• civil rights and cultural movement in the 1960s and 1970s that aimed to address the social, political, and economic inequalities faced by Mexican Americans and other Latino communities in the U.S.

• It sought to promote Chicano pride, advocate for better educational opportunities, equal rights, and labor conditions, and assert political power

• The movement was important because it empowered Mexican Americans to fight for their rights, improve living and working conditions, and celebrate their cultural identity

• It led to significant changes, such as better representation in politics, improvements in education, and stronger labor rights, and helped shape the broader Latino civil rights movement

American Indian Movement (AIM)

• founded in 1968 to address the issues of poverty, discrimination, and the mistreatment of Native Americans

• AIM focused on promoting Native American rights, preserving cultural identity, and advocating for sovereignty and self-determination

• The movement gained national attention through actions such as the occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) and the 1973 standoff at Wounded Knee, South Dakota

• AIM was important because it brought attention to the struggles of Native Americans, advocating for legal rights, better living conditions, and the protection of tribal sovereignty

• The movement helped spark greater awareness of Native American issues and led to changes in federal policies regarding Native American rights and self-governance

Japanese American Citizens League

• the oldest and most influential Asian American civil rights organization, founded in 1929

• It was established to protect the rights and interests of Japanese Americans, particularly in the wake of the discrimination and internment during World War II

• The JACL worked to secure reparations for Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated and imprisoned in internment camps during the war, and it has continued to advocate for civil rights, social justice, and immigration reform

• The JACL was important because it played a key role in challenging racial discrimination, promoting legal rights, and preserving the history of Japanese Americans in the U.S.

• Their efforts helped secure the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to those affected by internment

• The organization remains a significant voice for Asian American rights and advocacy

Ralph Nader

• an American activist, lawyer, and politician known for his work in consumer protection, environmentalism, and public safety

• He gained national attention with the publication of his 1965 book Unsafe at Any Speed, which criticized the automobile industry for producing unsafe cars

• This led to major reforms, including the establishment of safety regulations and the creation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

• Nader was important because his advocacy for consumer rights, environmental protection, and corporate accountability led to significant legislative changes, such as the establishment of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency

• He also ran for president multiple times, pushing for more progressive policies

• His work has had a lasting impact on consumer safety and social activism

Stonewall Riots (1969)

• a series of violent protests that took place in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, following a police raid

• The LGBTQ+ community, frustrated by years of harassment and discrimination, resisted the police, leading to several days of clashes

• The Stonewall Riots were important because they marked a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement

• They helped spark the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights, leading to the formation of advocacy groups, increased visibility, and annual Pride marches to commemorate the even

• Stonewall is considered the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States and worldwide

Harvey Milk

• the first openly gay elected official in California, serving as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977 until his assassination in 1978

• Milk was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and social justice, and he worked to pass legislation protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination

• He was important because he was a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, breaking barriers by publicly embracing his identity and fighting for the rights of marginalized communities

• His legacy continues to inspire LGBTQ+ activism, and his life has become a symbol of the struggle for equality and the importance of political representation for all people