RESOURCES
The Young Crusaders documents the activities of children and teenagers who engaged in civil-rights activism in the United States from the 1930s through the 1960s. While the book covers events that took place in 50 cities, there is still much information to be unearthed on youth activism during this period. The resources featured in this section should prove helpful to educators who wish to explore the topic with their students or individuals who are engaged in related research.
IMAGE GALLERY
The photos and newspaper clipping in this image gallery document some of the events and activities discussed in The Young Crusaders. They include a photo of the civil rights demonstration in New Orleans in 1963 demanding an end to employment discrimination; newspaper accounts and photos from the “Freedom Day” boycott in Chicago on October 22, 1963; and images of the sit-ins and marches in Cleveland and Milwaukee protesting “intact busing” programs. In the rioting in Philadelphia in August 1964, police were told not to shoot looters, but one of the images shown here depicts the beating of a teenager by police officers swinging billy clubs. There are also images from March 1965 boycott that was organized by students from all-black Jackson High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana, and photos of the children, teenagers, family members, and NAACP leaders who participated in the demonstrations calling for the desegregation of Girard College in Philadelphia in 1965 and 1966.
On September 30, 1963, members of the NAACP youth council in New Orleans participated in the “Biggest Protest March in the South.” Sponsored by the local branch of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), it was estimated that more than 15,000 young people and adults marched in the demonstration. Image courtesy of Amistad Research Center, Tulane University
On October 13, 1963, the Chicago Tribune announced the date set for the Chicago Public Schools boycott organized by the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO). The strikers wanted superintendent Benjamin Willis fired and demanded access to “quality integrated education.” Image courtesy of Kartemquin Films, Chicago
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attorney Cecil B. Moore (third from left), president of the Philadelphia NAACP, organized a protest calling for the desegregation of Girard College. The demonstrations began on May 1, 1965 and continued through the end of the year. Photo courtesy of the Jack Franklin Collection, African American Museum, Philadelphia
At the Girard College demonstrations in 1965, young girls marched on the picket lines in support of the demand that fatherless black boys be enrolled at the school. Fatherless black and white girls were finally allowed to enroll at Girard College in 1983. Photo courtesy of the Jack Franklin Collection, African American Museum, Philadelphia?
Parents and children participate in the march and demonstration in downtown Chicago on October 22, 1963 as part of the Chicago Public Schools boycott organized by the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations. Photo courtesy of Kartemquin Films, Chicago
Children and teenagers march through the Chicago Loop on October 22, 1963 carrying signs calling for the resignation of Chicago Public Schools superintendent Benjamin Willis. More than 220,000 elementary and secondary students boycotted the public schools that day. Photo courtesy of Kartemquin Films, Chicago
Demonstrations at Girard College in 1965 often became a family affair. Fathers and mothers brought their young children to the picket lines. Many of these children and teenagers became young crusaders in Philadelphia civil rights and Black Power campaigns in the late 1960s. Photo courtesy of the Jack Franklin Collection, African American Museum, Philadelphia
The most widely read black newspaper in the city, the Chicago Daily Defender publicized information about the school strikes. The newspaper’s headline on October 23, 1963 declared that the Chicago Public Schools boycott the day before was “A Thumping Success.” Photo courtesy of Kartemquin Films, Chicago
Formed in 1964, the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee (MUSIC) organized protests at the site of the “intact busing” of African American children to all-white public schools. When the school board refused to end the practice, a system-wide public school boycott was organized for May 18, 1964 and more than 12,000 students participated. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Historical Society
While on strike, black students at Jackson High in Jonesboro, Louisiana, attempted to attend all-white churches. When they were not allowed to stay, the students formed picket lines outside the churches and sang “We Shall Overcome” and other freedom songs. Photo courtesy of Amistad Research Center, Tulane University
When students at all-black Jackson High School went on strike, New Orleans civil-rights organizer Jerome Smith (second from left) prayed and sang freedom songs with the young crusaders, supporting their demands for improved educational facilities. Photo courtesy of Amistad Research Center, Tulane University
When the students at all-black Jackson High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana, heard that physical-education teacher Frederick Kirkpatrick, a member of Deacons for Defense, was to be fired, the students went on strike on March 8, 1965 and formed picket lines outside of the school. Photos courtesy of Amistad Research Center, Tulane University
Presentations
The presentations that follow feature photos and research that were on display during the two exhibits: one at the University of California, Riverside in 2013 and 2014, and another at Xavier University in 2018. For additional background information, see V. P. Franklin’s article “Special Report: Documenting Children and Teenagers’ Contributions to the Civil Rights Movement” published in the Journal of African American History (Fall 2015).
Children and Teenagers’ Contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in Louisiana
During the 2016–2017 school year, professors Sharlene S. DeCuir and Cereci W. Olatungi at Xavier University in New Orleans had their students conduct research on youth and civil rights activism in Louisiana. The resulting exhibit, Children and Teenagers’ Contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in Louisiana, was on display at the Xavier University Library from February–March 2018.
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Children, Youth, and Civil Rights, 1951-1968: A Student Exhibit
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the “Birmingham Children Crusade” in May 1963, students in the TRIO Mentoring Program and the research seminar for history majors in 2011 and 2012 at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) gathered photos, newspaper accounts, educational statistics, and other materials that were included in Children, Youth, and Civil Rights, 1951-1968: A Student Exhibit, on display at UCR’s Orbach Library, May-June 2013 and May-June 2014.
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Films
The following three films—two documentaries and one made-for-television movie—provide accessible introductions to the activism of children and young people during the Civil Rights era in the United States.
SELMA, LORD, SELMA
In 1965, during the turbulent early days of the right-to-vote movement, a young Alabama school girl is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to resist the degradation that her fellow African Americans are suffering. Along with a white seminary student from the north, and against the threat of racial violence, she promises to do what she can to help Dr. King's efforts.
Rated: TV-PG
Release Date: 1999
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Director: Charles Burnett
Produced By: Disney Pictures
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MIGHTY TIMES: THE CHILDREN’S MARCH
The Children's March tells the story of how the young people of Birmingham, Alabama, braved fire hoses and police dogs in 1963 and brought segregation to its knees. Their heroism complements discussions about the ability of today's young people to be catalysts for positive social change.
Release Date: 2004
Running Time: 40 Minutes
Directors: Robert Houston and Robert Hudson
Produced By: Teaching Tolerance and Southern Poverty Law Center in association with HBO
Educational Resources: The film kit includes a teacher’s guide with nine standards-based lesson plans
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‘63 BOYCOTT
In 1963, 250,000 students boycotted the Chicago Public Schools to protest racial segregation. Unseen 16mm footage of the boycott is combined with insights from the original participants and present-day protesters against school closings. ’63 Boycott connects the forgotten story of one of the largest northern civil rights demonstrations to contemporary issues around race, education, and youth activism.
Release Date: 2017
Running Time: 31 Minutes
Director: Gordon Quinn
Produced By: Kartemquin Films
Educational Resources: A six-lesson curriculum for grades 6-12 is available as a free download