Glossary
Black Feminism
A school of thought that argues that sexism, class oppression, and racism are inextricably bound together, emphasizing the unique experiences of Black women.
Example:
The critiques raised in the SNCC Position Paper contributed significantly to the emergence of Black feminism, which addresses the intersectional nature of oppression.
Collective Action
The coordinated effort of a group of people acting together to achieve a common goal, often to address shared grievances or bring about social change.
Example:
The massive 1964 New York City school boycott demonstrated the immense power of collective action when nearly half a million students united to protest segregation.
Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO)
A Chicago-based civil rights organization formed in the mid-1960s to challenge school segregation and later expanded to address housing and employment discrimination.
Example:
The CCCO in Chicago exemplified how civil rights activism adapted to address urban issues beyond the South, focusing on local inequalities.
Dorothy Height
A key leader in the Civil Rights Movement and women's rights, who served as president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years.
Example:
Dorothy Height was instrumental in organizing the March on Washington and consistently worked to advance the rights and opportunities of Black women and girls.
Educational Equality
The principle that all students should have access to the same quality of education, resources, and opportunities, regardless of their background.
Example:
The 1964 New York City school boycott was a powerful demand for educational equality, highlighting the disparities faced by Black and Puerto Rican students.
Ella Baker
A pivotal leader in the Civil Rights Movement, known for her emphasis on grassroots organizing and empowering ordinary people.
Example:
Ella Baker famously advocated for 'group-centered leadership,' believing that strong movements are built from the bottom up, not just by charismatic figures.
Gender Discrimination
Unfair treatment or prejudice against individuals based on their gender, often leading to disadvantages in various aspects of life.
Example:
Despite their crucial contributions, many Black women in the Civil Rights Movement faced gender discrimination, being relegated to supportive roles rather than leadership positions.
Grassroots Organizing
A method of political or social change that starts with local, community-based efforts and builds upwards, empowering individuals at the local level.
Example:
Ella Baker's philosophy centered on grassroots organizing, encouraging local communities to identify their own problems and develop their own solutions.
Group-centered leadership
A leadership style that prioritizes collective decision-making and the empowerment of all participants, rather than relying on a single, hierarchical leader.
Example:
Instead of a top-down approach, Ella Baker championed group-centered leadership, fostering an environment where every member's voice and contribution were valued.
Inclusion and Integration
The goals of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race or other characteristics, are fully welcomed, participate equally, and are part of the mainstream society.
Example:
Beyond just desegregating lunch counters, the sit-in movement aimed for the complete inclusion and integration of African Americans into all aspects of American life.
Intersectionality
A framework for understanding how various social and political identities, such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation, combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege.
Example:
Black women leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer emphasized the importance of addressing the intersectionality of racial and gender oppression, recognizing that their struggles were intertwined.
March on Washington in 1963
A massive protest march for jobs and freedom held in Washington D.C., where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech.
Example:
Dorothy Height played a significant, though often overlooked, role in the planning and execution of the March on Washington in 1963, highlighting the contributions of Black women.
National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
An organization founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, led for decades by Dorothy Height, dedicated to advancing the rights and opportunities of Black women and their families.
Example:
Under Dorothy Height's leadership, the NCNW focused on critical issues such as education, employment, and community development for Black women.
New York City School Boycott (1964)
The largest single-day civil rights demonstration in US history, where nearly half a million students boycotted schools to protest racial segregation and inequality.
Example:
The New York City School Boycott (1964) showcased the power of collective action and the growing momentum of the Civil Rights Movement in northern cities.
SNCC Position Paper: Women in the Movement, 1964
A crucial document that exposed and critiqued the pervasive sexism and gender discrimination faced by women within the Civil Rights Movement, particularly within SNCC.
Example:
The SNCC Position Paper: Women in the Movement, 1964 is considered an early articulation of feminist issues within the broader struggle for civil rights, laying groundwork for Black feminism.
School Segregation
The practice of separating students in educational institutions based on race, often resulting in unequal resources and opportunities for minority students.
Example:
The 1964 New York City school boycott was a massive protest against persistent school segregation and inequality in urban public schools.
Sit-ins
A form of nonviolent direct action where protesters occupy a place, refusing to leave until their demands are met, often used to challenge segregation.
Example:
The Greensboro sit-ins at Woolworth's lunch counter sparked a wave of similar protests across the South, challenging racial segregation in public spaces.
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
A prominent Civil Rights organization formed in 1960, known for its youth leadership, direct action tactics, and commitment to grassroots organizing.
Example:
Ella Baker played a crucial role in mentoring young activists within SNCC, shaping its commitment to nonviolent direct action and empowering local communities.
Systemic Exclusion
The process by which certain groups are deliberately or inadvertently kept out of full participation in society's institutions, opportunities, or benefits due to ingrained societal structures.
Example:
The Civil Rights Movement fought against the systemic exclusion of Black Americans from voting, education, and economic opportunities.
The New York Times, 1964 (NYC Boycott Article)
A primary source document reporting on the massive 1964 New York City school boycott, detailing its scale, participants, and demands.
Example:
Analyzing The New York Times, 1964 (NYC Boycott Article) provides direct insight into how contemporary media covered the largest civil rights demonstration in US history.