PEOPLE/ACTIVISTS:
Many leaders from North Carolina participated in the Civil Rights Movements, risking their lives in order to get our nation back on track. Among these were Kelly Alexander, Reginald Hawkins, and Dorothy Counts. Kelly Alexander was elected President of the NAACP in 1948, in organization that promoted integration. Reginald Hawkins also worked with Kelly Alexander, and helped to escort an African American girl to an all white high school. Her name was Dorothy Counts, and in 1957 she entered Harding High School, even though students threw things at her and called her ugly names. Reginald Hawkins then went on to form the Mecklenburg Organization for Political Affairs, which zeroed in on protests in North Carolina. These men and women bravely fought for integration in America so that their brothers and sisters could all be unified and equal.
Many leaders from North Carolina participated in the Civil Rights Movements, risking their lives in order to get our nation back on track. Among these were Kelly Alexander, Reginald Hawkins, and Dorothy Counts. Kelly Alexander was elected President of the NAACP in 1948, in organization that promoted integration. Reginald Hawkins also worked with Kelly Alexander, and helped to escort an African American girl to an all white high school. Her name was Dorothy Counts, and in 1957 she entered Harding High School, even though students threw things at her and called her ugly names. Reginald Hawkins then went on to form the Mecklenburg Organization for Political Affairs, which zeroed in on protests in North Carolina. These men and women bravely fought for integration in America so that their brothers and sisters could all be unified and equal.
Court Cases:
Many court cases led up to the de-segregation of North Carolina. In 1954, the very famous Brown vs Board of Education case took place. It stated that schools that were segregated were unconstitutional. This pretty much caused the civil rights act. Following that, in 1971, the Griggs vs. Duke Power Company prohibited intentional job discrimination. Finally, in 1965, a vital court case took place. It all started when Darius and Vera Swann came to court complaining that their African American were not allowed to go to a segregated school that was much closer to their home. This caused busing, which forced integration. The Supreme Court finally came to a unanimous decision that schools needed to be desegregated.
Many court cases led up to the de-segregation of North Carolina. In 1954, the very famous Brown vs Board of Education case took place. It stated that schools that were segregated were unconstitutional. This pretty much caused the civil rights act. Following that, in 1971, the Griggs vs. Duke Power Company prohibited intentional job discrimination. Finally, in 1965, a vital court case took place. It all started when Darius and Vera Swann came to court complaining that their African American were not allowed to go to a segregated school that was much closer to their home. This caused busing, which forced integration. The Supreme Court finally came to a unanimous decision that schools needed to be desegregated.