Podcast Summary
Formation of the US Commission on Civil Rights during the Civil Rights Era: The US Commission on Civil Rights was established in the 1950s to address civil rights issues, including voter suppression and equal protection, and continues its mission today as a bipartisan agency promoting objective policy and law enforcement.
During the civil rights era of the 1950s, the struggle for freedom and equality led to the creation of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This bipartisan agency was formed in response to allegations of voter suppression and denial of equal protection based on race, color, creed, or national origin. Despite opposition from some segregationists who saw it as a dangerous intrusion, the commission was seen as necessary by President Dwight Eisenhower to represent various perspectives. Fast forward to today, and we have companies like Quince, 1800flowers.com, and Burrow, which offer high-quality products at affordable prices and prioritize ethical and responsible manufacturing. Similarly, the Commission on Civil Rights continues its mission to inform civil rights policy and enforce laws, demonstrating the importance of objective, bipartisan efforts to address significant societal issues.
Recognizing the Importance of Civil Rights in the 1950s: The United States Civil Rights Commission acknowledged the constitutional foundation of civil rights during the 1950s, revealing significant disparities in voting rights and widespread segregation and voter suppression.
During the 1950s, the United States Civil Rights Commission recognized the foundational importance of civil rights, which were not just granted after the Civil War but were implied in the original Constitution. John Battle, a former governor of Virginia, joined the commission to present the segregationist viewpoint. Battle had previously refused to desegregate city parks in Norfolk, Virginia, and refused to justify his positions to the NAACP. The commission's report revealed significant disparities in voting rights, with fewer than 5% of eligible non-white voters registered to vote in Alabama by the end of the 1950s. Despite the Constitution's provisions for representative government and the rule of law, segregation and voter suppression were widespread, highlighting the need for the commission's investigation and report.
Fear of reprisals deterred African Americans from voting in the 1950s: During the 1950s, African Americans faced economic and physical threats for registering to vote, preventing many from exercising their right.
During the 1950s in the United States, many African Americans were deterred from registering to vote due to fears of economic and physical reprisals. This was evident in various instances where individuals were denied loans, contract renewals, or faced intimidation and violence. For instance, a minister was denied a loan due to his encouragement of African Americans to vote, while a teacher was not renewed due to her liberal attitude towards voting rights. An elderly man feared being beaten up, and a businessman refused to be interviewed out of fear of retaliation. Even army veterans were met with resistance when attempting to register. These fears, whether groundless or not, acted as a significant deterrent to registration. One man tried repeatedly for eight years to register but was consistently denied without reason. The pervasive fear of reprisals underscores the systemic barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
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Intimidation and Discrimination against Voters in the Late 1950s: During the late 1950s, racial and ethnic minorities faced significant barriers to voting due to intimidation and discriminatory practices, such as English literacy tests, which disproportionately affected Spanish-speaking individuals.
During the late 1950s in the United States, veterans and other citizens, particularly those of African American and Puerto Rican descent, faced significant intimidation and discrimination when trying to exercise their right to vote. Some men interviewed by the commission shared stories of being threatened with arrest, job loss, and even eviction if they attempted to register or vote. In New York City alone, an estimated 190,000 Puerto Rican residents had met the residency requirement but were unable to vote due to the English literacy test, which disproportionately affected Spanish-speaking individuals. Jose Camacho, a Bronx resident, filed a lawsuit against election officials seeking the right to vote despite his inability to read and write English. This historical context highlights the systemic barriers and intimidation tactics used to deny people their right to vote based on their race, ethnicity, and literacy levels.
The Treaty of Paris grants Puerto Rico to the US, allowing Spanish as the official language: The US Supreme Court ensures Constitution protections for all citizens, including Spanish speakers. Being 'extra' with health insurance can provide additional coverage. Boll and Branch's organic cotton sheets soften with each wash. Quince offers affordable luxury travel items. A union leader inspires voting with a cartoon sign.
The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1898, granted Puerto Rico to the United States, and the native inhabitants were given the right to choose their official language, which they chose to be Spanish. The United States Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution's protections apply to all citizens, regardless of language or native tongue. In other news, being "extra" can pay off when it comes to health insurance, with UnitedHealthcare's Health ProtectorGuard plans supplementing primary coverage without typical requirements and restrictions. In the world of home essentials, Boll and Branch's organic cotton sheets get softer with each wash, and Quince offers luxury travel items at affordable prices, partnering with ethical factories. Lastly, a union leader named Asbury Howard used a political cartoon as inspiration for a voting sign, encouraging people to vote for a better tomorrow.
Sign painter arrested for promoting equality: During the civil rights era, a sign painter was wrongfully arrested and jailed for creating a politically charged sign promoting equality, while facing racial tensions and injustices.
During the civil rights era in the late 1950s, a sign painter was arrested for creating a politically charged sign that promoted equality for all Americans. The sign, which depicted a man in handcuffs praying, carried the message "Vote today for a better tomorrow." However, the sign was considered libelous and obscene by the authorities, leading to the arrests of both the sign painter and the man who had commissioned the sign. During the trial, African Americans were subjected to searches before entering the courthouse, while white people were not. Despite the lack of evidence against them, both men were convicted and sentenced to six months in jail and fines. After the trial, Asbury Howard was attacked by a group of white men, and his son was also arrested. Civil rights organizations called for an FBI investigation into the incidents. This incident highlights the racial tensions and injustices that were prevalent during this time in American history.
NAACP's Role in Civil Rights Movement: The NAACP supported civil rights activists like Asbury Howard, providing legal assistance and enabling them to challenge discriminatory laws and practices. Thurgood Marshall's leadership led to major victories, including the end of segregation in schools.
The NAACP played a crucial role in supporting civil rights activists like Asbury Howard during the Civil Rights Movement. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Howard's unwavering commitment to registering voters led to his eventual election as an Alabama State Representative. The NAACP provided essential legal assistance to Howard and other activists, enabling them to challenge discriminatory laws and practices. Thurgood Marshall, the head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, was instrumental in securing major victories, including the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which ended segregation in schools. Marshall's dedication to ensuring equal rights for all citizens eventually led to his appointment as the first African American justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1967. The NAACP's tireless efforts and commitment to justice paved the way for significant progress in civil rights.
Honoring Thurgood Marshall: A Civil Rights Icon: Thurgood Marshall, a key figure in the civil rights movement, was honored with the unique distinction of having his casket laid in state at the US Supreme Court, and his appointment to the Supreme Court by President Johnson was seen as timely and fitting.
Thurgood Marshall, who passed away in 1993, was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement in the United States. His impact was significant enough that his casket was laid in state at the US Supreme Court, making him only the second justice in history to receive this honor. When President Johnson appointed him to the Supreme Court, he expressed his belief that it was the right decision at the right time with the right person in the right place. As we conclude this series, listeners may be curious about what happened to J. Edgar Hoover, but we will cover that in the next episode. We are grateful for your engagement with the Sharon Says So podcast. If you enjoy the content, please consider following, subscribing, leaving a rating or review, or sharing this episode with others. This podcast is brought to you by Sharon McMahon, Heather Jackson, Heather Jackson (production), Jenny Snyder (audio production), and Sharon McMahon (host). Thank you for listening.
