Remembering The 1950s She Cries. A Powerful Storyteller скачать в хорошем качестве

Remembering The 1950s She Cries. A Powerful Storyteller

Delores Hendrick is describing her experience recorded in 1989, in the town of Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia, when she was interviewed for my TV series on the 1960s. A significant, controversial event in the history of civil rights occurred there when public schools were closed to resist integration. This event is part of what is known as "Massive Resistance," policies adopted by white legislators in the South to prevent the racial integration of public schools following the 1954 Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education, which declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. After the Supreme Court decision, rather than integrate, Prince Edward County officials chose to close all public schools from 1959 to 1964. The county provided tuition grants to white children to attend private, segregated academies that were quickly established to serve as an alternative to public schooling. Meanwhile black children in the county were left without any formal education. The school closures in Prince Edward County drew national attention and became a symbol of the lengths to which some in the South would go to resist integration. With the public schools closed, the African American community in Farmville had to find alternative ways to educate their children. Some parents organized private, makeshift classrooms in basements, living rooms and church halls to continue educating their children. These were often staffed by volunteers and retired teachers who stepped forward to ensure that children did not miss out on their education entirely. Because of the limited opportunities for education some families made the difficult decision to send their children to live with relatives in other parts of Virginia or other states where public schools were open to black students. This was often a last resort, given the financial and emotional toll of separating families. With the public schools closed, black students had no access to the education that their white counterparts could obtain through newly established private, segregated academies that the county supported with public funds for white children. The lack of formal schooling for five years had long-term effects on the educational attainment and future opportunities of these students. Many fell behind their peers in other parts of the country, affecting their ability to pursue higher education and certain careers. When the public schools finally reopened in 1964 the students who had been deprived of formal education for years faced the challenge of integrating into a previously segregated school system. The transition was difficult for many, as they had to catch up academically and adjust to a new social environment that was often unwelcoming. During the school closures several white organizations and individuals, including the Quakers (members of the Religious Society of Friends), played a significant role in supporting the African American students who were left without access to public education. With a long-standing commitment to social justice and equality, the Quakers were among the groups that stepped forward to assist these students. The Quakers provided scholarships and financial support to help black students attend schools outside Prince Edward County where public schools were still operational. This support was crucial for many families who could not afford to send their children away for education. Quaker organizations also established and operated educational facilities for African American students. They provided moral and financial support to families and legal teams fighting for desegregation. The involvement of the Quakers and similar organizations had a lasting impact on the community in Prince Edward County and Farmville. Their efforts helped to mitigate the educational losses experienced by African American students during the school closures. Moreover, their commitment to social justice and educational equality contributed to the national conversation about civil rights and played a part in the eventual desegregation of public schools. When the public schools finally reopened in 1964, they were integrated, marking the end of Prince Edward County's drastic attempt to avoid desegregation. However the reopening did not resolve the deep-seated issues of racial inequality in education and the community has to continue working through the challenges of integration. If you found this interview and description of interest, please support my efforts to present more films from my archives by either clicking the “Thanks" button below the video screen or by going to PayPal at the username “https://paypal.me/Davidhoffmanfilms” Thank you.