The African American Struggle for Equality

Slavery and Jim Crow Era: The roots of the struggle for African American equality lie in
the institution of slavery, which forcibly brought millions of Africans to the Americas under
brutal conditions. Even after the abolition of slavery, African Americans faced segregation,
disenfranchisement, and violence under Jim Crow laws in the Southern United States.
Civil Rights Movement: The mid-20th century saw the rise of the Civil Rights Movement,
characterized by nonviolent protests, legal challenges, and grassroots organizing. Leaders
such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and many others played crucial roles
in challenging segregation and advocating for civil rights legislation like the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Black Power Movement: Alongside the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power
Movement emerged, emphasizing self-determination, pride in Black culture, and resistance to
white supremacy. Figures like Stokely Carmichael and the Black Panther Party advocated for
empowerment through community organizing, political mobilization, and economic self-
sufficiency.
Contemporary Challenges: While significant progress has been made since the Civil Rights
Movement, systemic racism and inequality persist in various forms, including disparities in
education, healthcare, employment, criminal justice, and housing. Issues such as police
brutality, mass incarceration, and voter suppression continue to disproportionately affect
African Americans.
Intersectionality: The struggle for African American equality intersects with other social
justice movements, including those for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights,
and Indigenous rights. Recognizing and addressing the interconnected nature of oppression is
essential for building inclusive and equitable societies.
Continued Activism: Despite ongoing challenges, African Americans continue to resist and
organize for change through activism, advocacy, and cultural expression. Movements like
Black Lives Matter have brought renewed attention to issues of racial injustice and mobilized
people of all backgrounds to demand systemic change.
Education and Awareness: Education and awareness are crucial tools in the fight for
African American equality, as understanding the historical context and contemporary
manifestations of racism is essential for meaningful action and solidarity.

The New York Times Reports a Murder in Georgia, 1946

An African American farmer, in Georgia in 1946, Nixon's murder gained national attention
because it occurred shortly after he had exercised his right to vote in a primary election,
which was a rare occurrence for African Americans in the South at that time.
On September 8, 1946, Nixon cast his vote in the Democratic primary, which had been
contested by white supremacists. Later that evening, a group of white men arrived at Nixon's
home and demanded to know who had voted. Despite Nixon's wife's attempts to protect him
by claiming he hadn't voted, the men found out the truth and forced Nixon out of his home.
Shortly after, Nixon was shot and killed in front of his family.
Despite eyewitnesses identifying one of the assailants, none were convicted of Nixon's
murder. The case highlighted the violence and intimidation tactics used to suppress African
American voting rights in the Jim Crow South. The failure to bring Nixon's killers to justice
further underscored the systemic racism and impunity that characterized the era.

African American Parents Petition the Clarendon, S.C., School Board, 1949
In 1949, in Clarendon County, South Carolina, a group of African American parents, led by
Harry and Eliza Briggs, petitioned the Clarendon County School Board to address the grossly
unequal and segregated conditions of the public schools. The facilities for black students
were severely inadequate compared to those for white students. The schools lacked basic
amenities such as heating, plumbing, and adequate classroom materials, demonstrating the
stark disparities in education along racial lines.
Despite the efforts of the African American community to bring attention to these disparities
and their requests for improvements, the School Board rejected their petition, citing the
doctrine of "separate but equal" established by the Supreme Court's ruling in Plessy v.
Ferguson (1896). The "separate but equal" doctrine upheld racial segregation as long as
facilities for black and white individuals were deemed to be equal, which was hardly ever the
case in practice.
The Briggs v. Elliott case became one of the pivotal legal battles in the fight against
segregation in education. The African American parents, represented by lawyers from the
NAACP, challenged the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools. The case
was initially filed in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina and later appealed to the
Supreme Court as part of the broader Brown v. Board of Education case.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education
declared that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate
but equal" doctrine and paving the way for the desegregation of schools across the United
States. The Briggs v. Elliott case and the courageous actions of the African American parents
in Clarendon County were instrumental in challenging racial discrimination and advancing
the cause of civil rights in America.

A South African Novelist Examines the Plight of "The Negro in the North" 1954

"The Path of Thunder" delves into issues of racial discrimination, identity, and social
injustice, drawing parallels between the struggles of African Americans in the United States
and those of black South Africans under apartheid. Through his narrative, Abrahams explores
the complexities of race relations and the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities,
both in South Africa and beyond.
Abrahams was deeply influenced by his experiences as a black man living in various parts of
the world, including the United States. His observations of racial segregation and
discrimination in American society informed much of his writing, including his exploration
of "The Negro in the North." In the mid-20th century, many African Americans migrated
from the segregated South to northern cities in search of better opportunities and freedom
from the overt racism of the Jim Crow era. However, they often encountered different forms
of discrimination and segregation in the North, including housing discrimination, limited job
opportunities, and unequal access to education and public services.
"The Path of Thunder" likely reflects Abrahams' examination of these issues, offering readers
a nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by African Americans in the urban centers of the
Northern United States. By shining a light on the struggles of black communities on a global
scale, Abrahams' work contributes to a broader understanding of the universal fight against
racial injustice and oppression.

Franklin McCain Remembers the First Sit-in, 1960

Franklin McCain was one of the four African American college students known as the
Greensboro Four who initiated the first sit-in protest at a segregated lunch counter in
Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 1, 1960. The sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch
counter sparked a wave of similar protests across the South and became a pivotal moment in
the Civil Rights Movement.
McCain and his three friends—Ezell Blair Jr. (later known as Jibreel Khazan), Joseph
McNeil, and David Richmond—were students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
State University (NC A&T) when they decided to take a stand against racial segregation.
They sat down at the "whites-only" lunch counter at the Woolworth's store and requested to
be served, defying the store's policy and the prevailing norms of segregation.
Their peaceful protest attracted attention and drew support from fellow students and
community members. Despite facing verbal abuse and threats of violence, McCain and his
friends remained seated at the lunch counter until the store closed. The following day, they
returned with even more supporters, and the sit-in protests continued for days, eventually
leading to the desegregation of the Woolworth's lunch counter.
Franklin McCain later reflected on the significance of the sit-in, emphasizing the importance
of taking a stand against injustice and the power of nonviolent protest in effecting change.
The Greensboro sit-in inspired similar actions in other cities and helped to galvanize the Civil
Rights Movement, demonstrating the determination and courage of young people in the fight
for equality and justice.

Martin Luther king Jr., "I Have a Dream" 1963

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most iconic and influential
speeches in American history. The speech is a powerful call for racial equality and an end to
discrimination against African Americans in the United States.
King begins by acknowledging the historical significance of the moment and the location,
invoking the Emancipation Proclamation and the promise of freedom for all Americans.
King shares his vision of a future where racial discrimination and segregation are eradicated,
and all Americans are treated equally regardless of race or color. He expresses his dream of a
nation where individuals are judged by the content of their character rather than the color of
their skin.
Throughout the speech, King emphasizes the importance of hope, perseverance, and
nonviolent resistance in the struggle for civil rights. He urges his audience to continue
fighting for justice and equality despite the challenges they face.
King calls for unity and solidarity among Americans of all races, emphasizing the need for
cooperation and collaboration in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.
King references the American Dream and draws on imagery from American history,
literature, and religious texts to underscore the universal values of freedom, justice, and
equality.
King concludes his speech with a powerful refrain, repeating the phrase "I have a dream"
several times before expressing his hope that one day his dream of a truly equal and inclusive
society will become a reality.