Civil Rights Movement and the Southern Reaction

Introduction to Southern Reaction to the Civil Rights Movement

  • Importance of understanding the southern reaction to civil rights movement.

  • Expansion on previously discussed civil rights movement ideas.

Post-World War II Context

  • Contextual Timeline: Covers 1959 to 2010, approximately 50 years.

  • Poverty Levels:

    • Graph shows poverty levels from 1959.

    • 55% of black Americans were living below the poverty line in 1959.

    • Poverty level decreased to ~33% by 1969, a significant drop.

      • Indicates impact of governmental efforts, e.g., LBJ’s War on Poverty.

    • Comparison with other demographics indicates black poverty rates remained highest.

Racial Demographics and Identification

  • Distinction between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white populations.

    • Self-identification explained; personal context of identifying as Caucasian.

  • 1965 Immigration Act effects on demographics, leading to tracking poverty among new groups.

  • Noteworthy statistics:

    • In 1965, the demographics were predominantly 88% white and 12% black.

Poverty Rates for Hispanics and Refugees' Experiences

  • Similar Poverty Trends:

    • Hispanic poverty levels from 1993-2010 tracked similarly to black poverty rates.

  • Acknowledgement of socio-economic similarities between racial groups:

    • In 2014, average wealth was $140,000 for white families vs. $5,000 for black and Hispanic families.

  • Emphasis on shared economic struggles among different racial groups.

The Great Migration

  • 6 million black Americans migrated from the South (1910-1970).

  • Motivations: Seeking better opportunities outside Jim Crow South.

  • Cities like Detroit and Chicago saw significant increases in black populations:

    • Detroit: 16% to 29% black (1950s).

    • Chicago: 14% to 23% black (1950s).

    • Chicago saw influx of ~2,200 new arrivals weekly from the South.

Emmett Till Tragedy

  • Case Study of Emmett Till:

    • 1955 incident in Mississippi, followed by lynching.

    • The extent of violence against black youth was illustrated through Till’s case.

    • Emmett’s relatives brought their culture and identity to Chicago, creating ties between communities.

Economic and Social Conditions of Migrants

  • Living Conditions:

    • Migrants faced inadequate housing and social services upon arrival.

    • Urban areas struggled to accommodate the influx, leading to the formation of black ghettos.

  • Role of Black Churches:

    • Black churches played a vital role in providing support, community, and social services to newcomers.

    • Churches also organized and facilitated demonstrations for civil rights.

The Role of Civil Rights Movement

  • Martin Luther King's philosophy of negotiation, demonstration, and resistance.

  • Historical context of civil rights initiatives prior to mainstream movement.

  • Importance of the economic boycott (1930s) and the Double V campaign during WWII for local civil rights activism.

Government Actions and Responses

  • Harry Truman’s Presidency (1945-1952):

    • Established Committee on Civil Rights in 1946 to address systemic injustices.

    • Conclusions of the Committee's report highlighted ongoing discrimination against black Americans.

    • Recognized emerging black voter population as a significant political constituency.

    • Legislative attempts included a civil rights agenda sent to Congress in 1948.

      • First civil rights law proposal since 1866; faced Southern Democratic resistance.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

  • Major Supreme Court case landmarking desegregation of schools.

  • Case background: Originated in Topeka, Kansas, represented by the NAACP.

  • Outcome declared segregation unconstitutional in public schools, initiating a wave of white supremacist backlash.

  • Majority's ruling raised the idea of "all deliberate speed" leading to ambiguous implementation and resistance.

White Supremacist Reaction to Integration

  • The era defined by violence and backlash against integration initiatives post-Brown ruling.

  • Black Monday: 05/17/1954, dubbed by Mississippi legislators, marks negative sentiments toward the ruling.

  • Key figures shared sentiments justifying violent reactions against perceived threats from black communities.

Conclusion

  • Emphasis on importance of understanding the complex socio-political dynamics during the civil rights movement.

  • Recognition that civil rights activism arose due to systemic issues and fierce responses from white supremacists in the South.