On May 2, 1963, hundreds of students skipped classes and marched to downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The students were arrested and taken to jail in droves. The following day, as more students gathered peacefully, they were met with violence by the police and images of children being hit by police clubs, bitten by police dogs, and blasted by high-pressure firehose shocked the world. This presentation by Victoria Basulto is an introduction to that story. This presentation will reinforce the following presentation on Feb. 20 when we will hear from Melvin Todd who participated in the marches as a child.
About Black History Matters
Black History Matters 2022 is an educational series that seeks to highlight Black American history. NAHOF believes that by understanding history the present may be better understood. The mission of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum is to honor antislavery abolitionists, their work to end slavery, and the legacy of that struggle, and strive to complete the second, and ongoing abolition – the moral conviction to end racism. These February programs will address key events in our national history and are topics in history that are lesser known or whose implications are not usually understood. The presenters are volunteer scholars, educators, authors, and researchers who support this project by donating their time and talents.
This program is funded, in part by, Humanities New York with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any view, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Viewers are encouraged to complete a brief survey for a report to the funder and to guide NAHOF.