Primary Resources
Local People: Everyday America and the Civil Rights Movement
Courtesy of the Andover Historical Society
These materials detail a program that offered educational opportunities to disadvantaged kids in both private and public schools. In 1976, Andover voted to bring the program to the town. The tone of the booklet and flier reflect an increased, though cautious, concern for civil rights and social welfare programs.
Andover Committee for a Better Chance. “ABC: A Better Chance.” Booklet, 1974.
Andover Committee for a Better Chance. “ABC: What’s it all about?” Pamphlet, 1967.
Courtesy of NARA
NARA Citations for Civil Rights Documents (from archivist’s notes in research file): These cases were all filed under the Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA). The act was a World War Two initiative to ensure that wartime production would not be disrupted by protests. The FEPA created the Fair Employment Practices Commission, an agency that investigated claims of discrimination. The FEPC could only investigate government agencies, businesses with government contracts, or those businesses essential to the war effort. In addition, the FEPC had no power to enforce the FEPA.
Corbin Case : #revolution1-BR-133 Polaroid Corp & Barbara W. Corbin Racial Discrimination
This complaint charges that Polaroid did not hire African-Americans (1945). After an investigation, Polaroid agreed that it had “not considered” hiring black men and women but in the absence of a specific policy preventing integration, would begin to hire a more diverse workforce.
Sherman Case: Religious Discrimination
This case alleges that the United States Employment Service(a job placement service for veterans) failed to investigate when Sherman was denied employment at an office. The USES stated that because the office held no government contracts, they could not force it to change its hiring practices.
Anderson Case: Racial Discrimination
Anderson alleges in this 1945 case that she was not hired by the Cape Cod Candle Company (Hyannisport) because she was black and it would “cause problems” with several southern girls at the company.
Gilbert-Barker/Sarah Leonard File: #revolution1-BC-192 Religious & Racial Discrimination
Leonard alleges that a fellow coworker, Helen Moore, physically and psychologically abused her because she was Jewish. Leonard also alleges that the company did nothing to protect her or discipline Moore.
Morgan V. Hennigan
This 1971 case alleged that Boston schools were de facto segregated and culminated in the decision that the schools would be integrated by bussing students to different neighborhoods.
Courtesy of the Boston Public Library
The following three documents deal with the issue of bussing in Boston. The case Morgan V. Hennigan was filed by a group of black parents who alleged that Boston’s School Committee knowingly and deliberately segregated the public schools. In 1974, Judge Arthur Garrity ruled in favor of the parents and ordered the Boston schools to pursue a systematic program of desegregation. While this program included changes in hiring practices, facilities, etc., the citywide bussing of children between different schools was the most controversial aspect of the program. Many working class white Bostonians reacted violently to the forced bussing of their children and the end of neighborhood schools.
Desegregation: the Boston orders and their origin
Boston School Committee, 1966-1967 plan toward the elimination of racial imbalance in the public schools.
U.S. Appeals Court for the First Circuit. “Morgan vs. Kerrigan: appeals from the U.S. District Court, January 14, 1976
Courtesy of Salem State College
Materials from the William Henry Bates Papers, 1941-1973, Salem State College Archives, North Shore Political Archives 98-02, Folder: “Legislative Files-Judiciary-Civil Rights Act (1966) Box 3-4.
The following is a list of the materials taken from the papers of Representative William Henry Bates at Salem State College. Bates was Essex County’s Representative in the United States House of Representatives from 1950-1969. The letters below reflect Essex County residents’ opinions on the Fair Housing portion of proposed Civil Rights legislation. The Fair Housing provisions of various Civil Rights bills prohibited racial discrimination in the sale or rental of all homes. Many Essex County residents saw this provision as a violation of their property rights. Homeowners that lived in two- or three-family homes were particularly outraged. The letters below span from President Johnson’s first proposal of Fair Housing legislation in1966 until 1968 when the bill was finally passed. The tone of the letters becomes much more sympathetic after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.
Please note that the letters below were chosen from a wide group of letters available at Salem State College’s archives. The Academic Director chose this group of letters to give an overview of the full-range of emotions expressed by Essex County residents and reflect the overall tone of the entire collection. These letters are available on usingessexhistory.org
Statement of Congressman Bates on Civil Rights Bill
Beverly 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates against the 1966 Civil Rights Bill
Boxford 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates in support of the Civil Rights Bill, only days after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Danvers 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates urging him to support all Civil Rights Legislation after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Danvers 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates and return letter from his staff member, Julie McCall
Gloucester 1968
Letter to Congressman Bates commenting on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Haverhill 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates from a member of the National Association of Real Estate Board
Haverhill 1966
Letter to Congressan Bates opposing the Civil Rights Bill and response from the Congressman
Haverhill Council of Church Women, July 1966
Letter from the Haverhill Council of Church Women in support of the Civil Rights Bill. The response from the Congressman addresses Title IV.
Haverhill Council of Church Women, July 1966
Letter from the Haverhill Council of Church Women urging the Congressman to support any legislation that would strengthen the Civil Rights Bill. Bates addresses Title IV.
Lawrence Tribune, 1966
"Dirksen Won't Compromise on Rights' Housing Selection"
Lynn 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to the Fair Housing section of the Civil Rights Bill
Marblehead 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates against Title IV of the Civil Rights Bill and return letter addressing the current situation in Congress.
Salem, 1966
In opposition to the Civil Rights Bill, on the grounds that it takes away certain freedoms.
Salem, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to the Fair Housing Act
Salem, 1966
Against Civil Rights Bill, offering that the legislation does not recognize all Americans. Response from Bates relays his intention to vote for changes in the Bill.
Salisbury, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates opposing the Civil Rights Bill. Bates responds with his views on Title IV.
South Hamilton, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to Title IV.
South Hamilton 1968
Letter urging Bates to support Civil Rights legislation.
Stokely Carmichael
Summary of a Statement by Stokely Carmichel, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, on the Civil Rights Bill of 1966
Swampscott, 1966
Opposition to Title IV
Swampscott, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in strong opposition to Civil Rights legislation. Also included, "The Wosrst Bill to Ever be Seriously Considered in Congress in 177 Years: The 1966 Civil Rights Bill!"
Wenham, 1966
Letter to Congressman Bates in opposition to Title IV, arguing that the legislation will take away homeowners' rights away. Responding letter from Bates offers his opinion.
Links
Eyes on the Prize
The official website of the PBS series of the same name. This website offers an archive of resources and lesson plans for teachers.
Teachers Domain – Civil Rights Special Collection
This collection of primary sources includes photos, documents, and film footage of the people and activity of the Civil Rights movement, including small-scale community organizing.
The National Civil Rights Museum
The museum’s official website offers a virtual tour of their exhibits.
The Seattle Times- Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement
This website offers extensive information about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on the Civil Rights movement. The “About MLK” tab will bring users to a biography, timeline, photos, resources, and lesson plans to use to understand Martin Luther King, Jr.
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