Segregation During The 1960's

Imagine that you are an African American living in the south during the 1960’s. During this time segregation would have been a daily problem for you. Segregation is when people are separated based on things like gender, race, or skin color. In the United States, from the end of the Civil War until 1964, people were separated by race. For example, white and black people could not attend the same schools, go to the same pools, movie theaters, or restaurants together and they could not use the same bathrooms and many other public places together too. African Americans and their allies decided to protest against unjust segregation laws by doing boycotts, sit-ins, and marches. One of the first ways people protested against segregation was boycotts.
A march is when a group of people get together and walk through the streets with signs, and anything that could help them raise awareness to their situation. One important march to help African Americans gain equal rights was the Children’s March. Tis march took place in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. Civil Rights leaders chose Birmingham because it was the most segregated place and they felt that if they could integrate Birmingham then they could integrate anywhere. Martin Luther king wanted to fill the jails but adults in Birmingham didn’t want to protest because they could have had their houses burned down, been beaten up, killed, and they even could have been fired from their jobs. The children volunteered instead. DJ’s like Shelly ,”The Playboy” Stewart would broadcast details over the radio in code. On the first day of the March, when the kids heard the message on the radio, they left school. About 973 people were arrested. Children came from everywhere and gathered at 16th St. Baptist Church. Children were let out of the church in groups of 50 at the same time, and they were arrested as soon as they came out. Every group seemed like the last but as kids were going out the front, more were coming in through the back. On the second day of the march they did the same thing but people were sprayed with high power fire hoses. Almost 3,000 people were watching. Police brought vicious attack dogs and let them attack people, Bull Connor brought his tank as well, and protesters threw large rocks at it. 1,922 people were arrested. On the third day of the march the same thing happened again and kids came in their bathing suits as a joke. Over 4,163 were arrested and some had to stay in hog pens outdoors. On May 10th, Birmingham agreed to integrate and removed Bull Connor from his position as the Commissioner of Public Safety. Because the Children’s march was