Civil Rights Movement Notes

Segregation in the South

The South was heavily segregated, with Black and white people living in distinct, separate environments.
There were signs designating "Colored Waiting Room This Way" and "White Waiting Room Is Over Here".
Black people look, walk, and talk like white people, emphasizing their shared humanity.

Activists drew inspiration from Bible verses, such as "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
Not following these teachings was seen as hypocrisy, necessitating change.

Activism existed on multiple levels, including street-level activists and those within higher education institutions.
Tougaloo College was committed to both education and experimenting with democracy.
Faculty, like John Salter, challenged students to address social problems and consider strategies for change.

The decision was made to stage a sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter.
Woolworth's was a "five and dime" store, similar to a dollar store with a food court, making it accessible to a wide range of people.
The denial of service at the lunch counter was considered morally and legally indefensible because everyone could afford to shop there.

Anne Moody, Pearlena, and Memphis Norman, all Tougaloo students, were chosen to sit at the lunch counter.
A diversionary picket line was planned to distract the police while the students took their seats.

Lois Chaffee and another individual acted as spotters for the picket line, reporting back to Medgar Evers' office.
The picket line was quickly arrested, prompting the spotters to observe the events at the lunch counter.

High school students from Central High School arrived during their lunch break, drawn to the scene.
The participants faced verbal and physical attacks, including being pulled off stools.
The weapons used against the protesters included vinegar, pepper, sugar, and physical force.
The goal was to psychologically break the protestors in bringing them "to their knees psychologically".
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that police could not make arrests in stores without the manager's explicit request.

Memphis Norman was violently attacked and left unconscious with severe injuries.
Despite the violence and potential danger, the protesters remained committed to their sit-in.
The widely circulated photographs of the sit-in attracted volunteers and increased visibility for the movement.

Reducing the civil rights movement to only Rosa Parks and Dr. King diminishes the role of ordinary people in creating change.
Students today need to recognize their ability to identify causes and make a difference in the world.
The role of older generations is to support and empower the younger generation in their activism.

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