A 1950s documentary about desegregation in Clinton TN

[struggle4progress]

[Hulk]

1. Those were some really troubled times...

...and, although there is really no excuse for it by today's measure, it does explain why the South is so far behind with their thinking regarding minorities and education. Many of those interviewed sounded like total hillbillies; and at the same time, many sounded like reasonable and well meaning human beings. Those were some very different times, but terrible times for minorities in the South. Oh yes, I know..and in the North too; but by comparison, much worse in the South.

[JDPriestly]

2. Excellent! Thanks. Note how the the newscaster tries to remain independent and neutral.

The program nonetheless very effectively presents integration in a favorable light.

[trof]

3. That is Edward R. Murrow on 'See It Now'.

[JDPriestly]

7. One of the greatest. I remember him well.

He reported on the intimidation of the rational Southerners by the rabid bunch during the 1950s and 1960s very well. DUers must remember that during that period we did not have as many immigrants from outside of Europe. African-Americans were pretty much the minority as I recall. Most of them lived in the South or in the gradual process of moving to other parts of the country. Segregation existed in many, many communities either through restrictions written into deeds in real estate or silent complicity. But in the South, the obsession with segregation and race among white people would be unbelievable to a child born today in our country.

Around Martin Luther King, Jr. day, someone started a thread about what life was like in the segregated South. This video shows some of it.

[rurallib]

4. fascinating - I love those old documentaries

that remind us that we really have not come as far as we think.
Many of the same problems exist today. Much of the same reasoning exists. Heck, some of those folks could step right into today's tea party without changing a word.

The courage those folks had to stand up to the segregationists is almost indescribable. I can think of few people I know who could have ever mustered that kind of courage.

Thanks for posting this.

[beerandjesus]

5. Incredible though, the contrast with today's right-wingers...

These guys still have enough of a sense of citizenship that they want to abide by the law, even if they don't like it.

It's like night and day with the baggers and their entitlement issues.

[struggle4progress]

6. That struck me, too.

[GeoWilliam750]

8. Fascinating

The hate remains, the tactics are unchanged. The courage of decency seems diminished.

[trof]

9. The football team captain was incredibly articulate.

I can only contrast him to the teens I know today.