(Video from the WSB-TV newsfilm collection, Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Award Collection.)
(You may need to increase your volume, the video has a low audio level.)
Link to video: “In this WSB newsfilm clip possibly from June 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. calls upon president John F. Kennedy to issue a “Second Emancipation Proclamation” declaring segregation illegal. King asserts that the time has come for the president to issue an executive order against segregation. He declares that the United States’ world position demands an end to segregation.”
In anticipation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a quick reminder that the Civil Rights Digital Library has a large and diverse collection of resources about the man and his legacy. Visit King’s page at the CRDL to find videos, photographs, sound recordings and more.
On January 9th, 1961, Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault walked on campus to register at the University of Georgia. They were the first African American students allowed to do so. This Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of that momentous day.
The story of the University of Georgia’s desegregation is as large as the courage of those two students. There are several resources available through the Digital Library of Georgia for learning about this pivotal moment in our state’s history.
Below is a list of important figures (each link from the Civil Rights Digital Library contains a brief biography and links to materials about the person: photographs, videos, newspapers, etc…)
Horace T. Ward: He applied to the University of Georgia Law School in 1950 and was denied admission. He challenged the decision in court, and though unsuccessful, his efforts were the beginning of the end for segregation at the University of Georgia. Ward would eventually become the first African American in Georgia to be appointed a Federal Judge.
Ernest Vandiver Jr. (1918-2005): Governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. Promised to maintain segregation as Governor, but ultimately refused to close the university as desired by Georgia lawmakers outraged over its desegregation.
The DLG has a collection of Red and Black newspapers (the university student newspaper, independent since 1980) in which one can read coverage of the event. Here is a portion of the front page from that day: “Non-Violence Urged By Dean of Students In Campus Meeting.”
And finally, in honor of the anniversary, the University of Georgia has a series of events planned. A list is available here, for those in the area wanting to attend.
