Segregation
The practice of separating individuals based on their race, leading to unequal treatment in public facilities.
De Facto Segregation
Segregation that occurs by practice rather than by law, making it harder to combat.
De Jure Segregation
Segregation that is enforced by law, providing a legal basis for discriminatory practices.
Strange Fruit
A song by Billie Holiday highlighting the issue of lynching and the brutal reality faced by African Americans.
Emmett Till
A 14-year-old African American boy whose brutal murder in Mississippi shed light on the horrors of racism and injustice.
Children's Crusade
A protest in Birmingham, Alabama, where children stood up against racial segregation and faced violent opposition.
Brown v
A landmark Supreme Court case that challenged racial segregation in schools, leading to the desegregation of educational institutions.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
A protest against segregation on public buses, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger.
Greensboro Sit-ins
Non-violent protests by African American college students at segregated lunch counters, aiming to challenge discriminatory practices.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Legislation that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, aiming to ensure equal rights for all citizens.
Black Panthers
Formed in late 1960s to protect African American civil rights leaders and exercise their Second Amendment rights for self-defense.
10 Point Plan
Advocated by the Black Panthers for full employment, end to economic inequality, decent housing, education exposing societal truths, and fair trials for African Americans.
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Agency responsible for enforcing drug laws, categorizing drugs, and pursuing individuals involved in drug-related activities.
Crack Cocaine
Cheaper form of cocaine more prevalent among economically disadvantaged individuals, leading to stricter drug laws and higher incarceration rates.
Mandatory Minimum
Imposed sentences for drug offenses, disproportionately affecting African Americans due to disparities in sentencing for crack cocaine versus powder cocaine.
Rodney King
Victim of police brutality in 1991, highlighting systemic racism and police mistreatment of African Americans.
Million Man March
Event organized by civil rights groups to promote African American unity and address social and economic disparities faced by the community.
Maya Angelou
Prominent figure advocating for unity and better opportunities for children, emphasizing the importance of education and equality.
Trayvon Martin
African American teenager shot and killed in 2012, sparking debates on racial profiling, self-defense laws, and the treatment of African Americans in the criminal justice system.
Black Lives Matter
Movement founded to raise awareness about police brutality and systemic racism, aiming to promote respect for African American lives and address social injustices.