LaTrisha Jackson April 27, 2012 Civil Rights Annotated Bibliography Some people may believe that the Civil Rights Movement began on December 1, 1955. On that day, Rosa Parks, an African American woman, refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. Her actions caused her to be arrested and fined. Further, her actions helped spark a bus boycott that lasted 381 days and provided momentum to propel the Civil Rights Movement into high gear. While Parks courageous stance should be applauded, recognized, and never forgotten, it should also be noted that the Civil Rights Movement did not begin with Rosa Parks arrest. Long before Parks was arrested and helped catapult the Civil Rights Movement, others and other events also had contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. Shortly after the Civil War ended, Civil Rights for African Americans were gradually being developed. Though it was a slow and grueling process-it was a progression nonetheless. Events such as; Plessy vs. Ferguson, Brown vs. Board Education, the Emmett Till Murder helped Americans-particularly African Americans recognize that more rights were needed and deserved for the black race. That being said, the Civil Rights Movement contains a plethora of events and movements that sparked rage and desire to help create equality for all. The multiple events that occurred from Reconstruction to the time of King s death helped fuel a movement that changed America and Americans. Below are five pages of resources that provide information about various events that occurred throughout the Civil Rights Movement. These resources may be used in many ways to help teach kids and adults the meaning of the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, the resources provided may be used to create lesson plans, projects, and discussions that will have meaningful and lasting impacts within the learning environment. It is the hope that with the assistance of these resources that teachers and students may expand their knowledge on a movement that continues to impact America. 1
Civil Rights Annotated Bibliography McNeese, Tim. Plessy v. Ferguson: Separate but Equal. New York: Chelsea House, 2007. In this book, the author provides historical insight about the landmark case of Plessy v Ferguson. Plessy a man who was one-eighth black was jailed for seating in a railroad cart that was designated for whites. Plessy's case set a precedent for the idea of 'separate but equal' laws. This source is ideal for providing background knowledge about the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Haskins, James. The Freedom Rides: Journey for Justice. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 1995. This book chronicles the journey of 13 interracial volunteers who were trained in non-violent protesting skills. On their travels the group encounters a lot of success; however, as the group travels to the Deep South, they encounter their most violent encounter. The information in this book will paint a clearer picture of the risks involved in gaining Civil Rights for all. Freedman, Russell. Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. New York: Holiday House, 2006. Freedom Walkers tells the story about Rosa Parks and how her refusal to give up her seat to a white man sparked the Civil Rights Movement and more importantly, the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Further, the book provides images of various sit-ins, walks, protests, and key events and people who participated in gaining rights for blacks. Bullard, Sara. Free at Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993. This book gives a history of the Civil Rights Movement and those who sacrificed their lives in order for all to be free and equal. The book not only provides information about the Civil Rights Movement, but it also gives detail about the history of blacks-from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. Andryszewski, Tricia. The March on Washington, 1963: Gathering to Be Heard. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press, 1996. This resource provides background knowledge about the momentum of the Civil Rights Movement to Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream Speech." It also includes excerpts about famous people such as Harry Belafonte Jr. and Mahalia Jackson's participation in the movement. This resource is ideal for students who want to gather information about the various contributors to the Movement. 2
Bausum, Ann. Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2006. This resource gives information and great pictures and images of the Freedom Riders Movement. It provides information about sit-ins, peaceful assembly, and routes that were used to spread information about the uprising of the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, the images used throughout the book create great opportunities for class discussions about the movement. Bridges, Ruby. Through My Eyes. New York: Scholastic Press, 1999. To show the effects that segregation had on all blacks and all ages, this resource would be a good source. Ruby Bridges tells the story of how she integrated into the New Orleans School Corporation, as a black student. It also tells her struggles to understand how hatred was brought to her attention and how she used this experience to overcome life's challenges. Ebony- Pictorial History of Black America. Vol. 1, 2, 3. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Company, 1974. The information included in these resources is invaluable. Each volume chronicles black history from the African past to the Black Revolution. Using these resources would give a wide scope and variety of information that could be used for research purposes or a quick guide to find information about black history. Colbert, Jan, and Ann McMillan. Harms. Dear Dr. King: Letters from Today's Children to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 1998. The letters that are included in this resource are quite moving. Students from all ages write letters that thank Dr. King for his work, ask him questions about his participation, advice to Dr. King. Using this resource could help students to see various perspectives of how important Dr. King was and how he has impacted people in different ways. Unger, Irwin. The Sixties. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011. This book would be used more so as a reference guide for teacher use. The book provides detailed accounts about several movements that occurred in the 60s. The information about the Civil Rights Movement, would serve as a tool for additional information that children's books omit. 3
Primary Resources Wexler, Sanford. The Civil Rights Movement: An Eyewitness History. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1993. The plethora of information that this book entails makes it an invaluable resource. Not only are photographs used throughout the book, but the information that is included makes the book an even better resource. The book includes the various stages and events that led to the Civil Rights Movement. It begins with Reconstruction and ends with the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. This book encompasses, everything related to the Civil Rights Movement. Howard-Pitney, David, Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004. The documents included in this history book would be useful for secondary teachers to use and share with students. The book really breaks down the history of each of the Civil Rights Leaders. It also provides a new perspective of the methods that King and Malcolm X used in order to reach Black Americans and Americans in general during the Civil Rights Movement. King, Martin Luther. I Have a Dream. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997. With a forward by his now late wife, Coretta Scott King, the I Have a Dream book, is a lovely children's book that captures the essence of King's famous I Have a Dream Speech. The colorful pages and creative wording, provides insight about the events that inspired King to write his famous speech. This resource would be beneficial for all age groups to use because of it delightful and creative work that is depicted throughout the book. Adelman, Bob, and Charles Johnson. Mine Eyes Have Seen: Bearing Witness to the Struggle for Civil Rights. New York: Time Home Entertainment, 2007. The resource is a prime example of good primary and secondary resources that one could use in teaching about the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout the text, pictures, images, and essays about the Civil Rights Movement are used. In using this resource, teachers and students have the opportunity to access various reproducible to use for class projects or class discussions. Stevenson, Janet. "The Black Community Unites." In The Montgomery Bus Boycott, December, 1955, 11-19. New York: Franklin Watts, 1971. While the entire book is a good resource, one particular chapter that could be meaningful to class discussion would be about the black community uniting. It is poignant for students to understand the relationship that blacks had with one another during the Civil Rights Movement. 4
Freedom Song. Directed by Paul A. Robinson. Performed by Danny Glover and Loretta Devine. Alphaville, 2000. VHS. The movie "Freedom Song" tells the story of small-town citizens in Mississippi who feel compelled to participate in the Civil Rights Movement. The movie provides first-hand accounts of veteran activists who risk their lives to help better the lives of African Americans across the nation. Rockwell, Norman. The Problem We All Live With. 1964. Norman Rockwell, Norman Rockwell Museum, Niles, Illinois. In The Problem We All Live With. The replica of Norman Rockwell's famous painting of Ruby Bridges is a classic primary resource to use. It captures the little girl, who daily braved a mob of people in order to get an education. Using this resource, students would be able to immerse themselves into what was happening during the time of school integration. Sit-Ins and Freedom Rides. By Cheryl Surles. IU East College Campus, Richmond, January 2012. During this PowerPoint presentation, Cheryl Surles shared with the audience information about sit-ins and freedom rides. Throughout the presentation Surles shared information about important dates, individuals, peaceful protest strategies, results, and video footage of the freedom rides. This presentation could be used to show students background information about the sit-ins and freedom rides. Further, it could serve as an example for potential projects for students and teachers to complete. Domestic Service in the South and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. By Michelle Hilbert. IU East College Campus, Richmond, January 26, 2012. During the Michelle Hilbert's presentation about Domestic Service and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Hilbert provided the audience with a wide variety of information. Throughout the presentation, Hilbert made references to unfamiliar individuals who helped build momentum towards the bus boycott. Additionally, information was provided about peaceful protests and sit-ins and the impact they had. Further, video clips and images throughout the presentation helped access additional knowledge about these events. This presentation could be used in multiple ways. It could be used for a class presentation, as a primary resource, and because some much was covered in the PowerPoint, multiple lessons or connections could be made and used. 10 Mile March to Freedom. January 04, 1964. Indianapolis Recorder Collection, Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis. Accessed April 25, 2012. http://images.indianahistory.org. This image captures the impact the Civil Rights Movement had on a national level. Demonstrators in this photo are marching in Indianapolis, Indiana to show their support of the movement. Since some children may be under the impression that the Civil Rights Movement was more of a Southern movement, this demonstrates just how close to home the Movement actually was. MOJO. "History of the Civil Movements." YouTube. February 2, 2011. Accessed April 15, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urxwe6lpvkm. This six minute movie clip displays various events about the Civil Rights Movement. It includes information about Plessy vs. Ferguson, peaceful protests, Little Rick Nine, Brown vs. Board of 5
Education, and many more events that sparked the Civil Rights Movement. Unknown. "Rosa Parks." Academy of Achievement. September 20, 2010. Accessed April 16, 2012. http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0int-3. This website offers a menagerie of information about Rosa Parks and other Civil Rights Activists. It not only provides information about her role in the Movement, but it also hosts primary resources-such as her mug shot from her December 1955 arrest and an interview with Parks. Additionally, lesson plans and activities are also provided for teacher and student use. Unknown. "The Murder of Emmett Till- American Experience." PBS.Org. 2009. Accessed April 16, 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/. The resources for this particular topic are quite amazing. The PBS website provides, timelines, video clips, lesson plans, and primary sources; such as letters, and movie clips about the Emmett Till Murder. These resources could be used in multiple ways and students and teachers are sure to get a full understanding of how the Emmett Till Murder helped mobilize the Civil Rights Movement. 6