Brown V. Board Of Education Case Study

Rising in the nineteen fifties, the Civil Rights Movement becomes one of the most memorable events in history. Brown v. Board of Education, the case that barred segregation in public schools in Topeka, Kansas 1954, is often said to be the beginning. Although this case seemed to be the catalyst, the fact of the matter is that many other events lead up to the Civil Rights Movement. African Americans were freed after the end of the Civil War and although things seemed to be looking up, they had no idea that they would stay roughly the same. Many African Americans moved out of rural towns and into industrial cities where they would be denied certain jobs and living situations based on the color of their skin. “White” and “Colored only” signs were

Martin was born into a supportive family and received a good education. Malcolm, on the other hand, was born into less fortunate family and received less schooling. As a result of this lifestyle, he became more radical than that of his associate. King was raised a follower of Christ and continued to walk in his faith whilst fighting for equality. As previously mentioned, Dr. King believed in non-violence resistance. While in prison, Malcolm Little converted to Islam and changed his surname to X, signifying Blacks parting ways with their former owners after the end of slavery. They instructed him to believe in Elijah Muhammed because belief in a “blonde-haired, blue-eyed higher power” was “belief in the White man”. During this time period, it was believed by many Civil Rights activists, that America would get better if all races believed in integration. Malcolm X, seeing things from a different light, thought that separation would be best for the Black man. He explained in a speech given at Michigan State University in 1963 the difference between segregation and separation. In this speech, he

Malcolm X’s methods moved three young men in America: Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. Stokely Carmichael, a leader of SNCC, used the term “Black Power” during a march in 1966. Black Power instantly reached the hearts of many people. It meant much more than just standing together. Black Power meant more Black officials, more Black politicians. Black Power, to many, meant Black Freedom. The term Black Power provided a sense of self-confidence. Carmichael’s term encouraged many to favor the term Afro-American over Negro. The rise of afros and change in attire comes along with this new found racial pride. Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, also moved by Malcolm X, founded the Black Panther Party. Originally named the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, the Party started in Oakland California. (Their symbol, a leaping black panther, called for a name change.) Huey Newton said “Our program was structured after the Black Muslim program- minus the religion. . . . I think that I was following not Elijah Muhammad or the Muslims, but Malcolm X himself” (Kasher 195).The Black Panther Party sparked the motion for other Black political organizations to form. The Party would not last long, though. “Black Power” had begun to divide the movement. The underestimated rage of Black people resulted in riots. The riots resulted White retaliation. The Black Panther Party, and the Civil