Images of the civil rights movement have, for many reasons, been narrowed down to a handful of familiar images that tell a story of peaceful, passive African-Americans who were harassed, beaten and jailed by vicious white bigots.
But as Martin A. Berger reminds us in his book Freedom Now! Forgotten Photographs of the Civil Rights Struggle, history is never that tidy and simple. The photographs presented here show African-Americans reacting forcefully, fighting back, organizing, protesting, and doing what they can to snatch their freedom from the white powers that withheld it.
The people photographed here are not considered saints; they are not even thought of as heroes. But we will never know the fullness of their stories unless we include these images into the accepted narrative.
Man with knife attempting to stab police dog after the police put the animal on him. Birmingham, Alabama, May 3, 1963. Photograph by Bill Hudson.
Woman resisting arrest in Birmingham, Alabama, April 14, 1963. Unidentified photographer.
WE CAN NEVER FORGET…..
SAD TO SEE HOW THEY TREATED OUR BLACK PEOPLE…
The Caption where the Black Man tries to stab Police Dog makes it sound like He was doing something really wrong!.Was He?
NEVER FORGIVE OR FORGET!
FOR those who dont know Woolworth became Foot Locker
NIGGAS WERE COWARDS THEN,AND NIGGAS ARE COWARDS NOW.
James Bo-pete Johnson WE HAVE A GOOD HEART AND THAT MAKES US LOOK COWARD….
Carol Brown LETS BE REAL. THE REASON WHY WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM IS BECAUSE WE ARE COWARDS AND BLACK PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF JAIL AND DEATH. IT AINT NO WAY THAT A HUMAN BEING WOULD ALLOW SOMEBODY TO DO TO THEM WHAT BLACK PEOPLE ALLOWED THESE SICK ASS WHITE PEOPLE DO. BLACK PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AROUND WORSHIPING PICTURES OF A WHITE MAN IN 2014. WE ARE SICK IN THE HEAD. BLACK WOMEN LOVE THEIR WHITE JESUS. THE BLACK GANGS ARE KILLING US WHILE THE POLICE KILLS THEM,US AND THE KIDS. WE ARE A BUNCH OF DUMB MF'S.
James Bo-pete Johnson I CAN SEE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BY US BEING COWARDS,BUT IT'S SAD STILL…
James Bo-pete Johnson you are crazy, blame the white man for all your problems. mafuckers in gangs assault and kill people for fun, yet are afraid of death and prison? that is ironic.
James Bo-pete Johnson : Bro. James, after reading your post; in all honesty I must say; it's not like you're lying. You point out some valid observations brother, and I agree with you 100% that we/Black ppl are indeed mystified and sick in the head as it relates to loving everybody, and embracing this euphoric sense of , "let's just love everybody."
In addition to this picture; this brother looks like; if he could have a fair fight with each and everyone of these people he'd clearly beat the living daylights out of all of them. His facial expression says it all, he has this slight smirk on his face that says, "Maaaaan? Yall just don't know."
what i took from it was that such images were omitted from the pages of history because they demonstrate to those fighting today that the struggle was never a peaceful one.
Violence is not the answer.
James Bo-pete Johnson I have to disagree and say I think all people deserve the right to love one another, and there are so many smart people in every race, color w/e, Doctors, and musicians, artists, engineers,craftsmen the list goes on. People aren't dumb. There's so much pain in history but we can progress and still respect and remember those that fought for all of humanity to progress.
Anthony Gutierrez we have choices in life either to do good or bad….and to make our life how we want to,and i am saying to the black people do things for someone to respect you, and i am not saying with violence,we are brilliant people… LOVE…
Remember fam that to err is human, and to forgive is divine. So forgive, but don't forget.
Remember fam that to err is human, and to forgive is divine. So forgive, but don't forget.
I don't think anyone could forget about these photos. Maybe some people have never seen some of these pictures before. It's not like they show them in schools anymore.
Anthony Gutierrez DO NOT Forgive or Forget.
Do you tell your sister he just got some pussy GET OVER IT?
Choice Felton I don't understand the 2nd line…what does that mean?
Anthony Gutierrez If your sister got raped
… I believe in Women's right's also and respecting a woman. The difference is if someone did that to my sister I can point 1 person who it was, I can't hold that against an entire race of people just because of 1 person.
Anthony Gutierrez You would NEVER tell her to forgive him.
Anthony Gutierrez You would be happy if he got abused in jail and had A hard way to go in jail.
Choice Felton I'm trying to understand this reference, it is surely an interesting one but you can't say definitively what somebody else would do, not even I can say. Anyways much love to you and your family, and I will try and understand this better.
America Atrocity of Lynching African People
http://youtu.be/oYFqv_mRMPI
A No Struggle, No Development Production! By Kenny Snodgrass
Anthony Gutierrez, While I was caught off-guard by Choice Felton's comment, he's right on point. This wasn't ONE person. It was a people. Against a people. And with over 400 years of this "error", forgiveness isn't that easy. I was a child when all this was going on. It happened in MY lifetime. I'm only 52. I can't be sure, Mr. Gutierrez, but I think your people came here WILLINGLY. And for all the things your people have suffered, here in the Go0d Ol' USofA, Have you seen your people enslaved?!? Beaten?!? Raped, Maimed, Mauled?!? Stripped of every conceivable sense of self?!? Have you ever seen a picture of a lynched man?!? With a group of people standing around, smiling at the camera?!? Tell me, Mr. Gutierrez, do you speak the language of your people?!? As a Black Man in America, Mr. Gutierrez, my History is ERASED. I can only guess what tribe I came from. And with all the different blo0ds running through my veins, the only one that really matters is the one that makes my skin this colour. Those were and ARE my people, Mr. Gutierrez. While a lot of laws came out of that moVement, there are things that go on to this day. I Experience them on a regular. Please understand, I have no issue with you. But, I get that kinda feedback from other folks of colour who aren't "Black". I mean no disrespect but, you're better off NOT being in this conversation because YOU DON'T KNOW!!!
Kenneth Barone I understand there's pain from the past. I don't have a particular race or nationality I represent but my family did not come here willingly, I am of Cuban heritage. My grandmother on my fathers side is Afro-Caribbean so with all due respect sir I can have as much a part in any conversation as anybody and I also empathize with you because oppression still happens in this world to this day and it's sad.
Anthony Gutierrez, Again, I mean no disrespect and my apologies if I offend but, Not having a race or nationality to represent is part of my point. I have no beef with you. But, Empathy is a luXury. Because of the colour of my skin, I cannot be ANYTHING BUT BLACK. (not that I'd want to be anything else!!) I HAVE TO represent my race and nationality daily. True, you have every right to be in any conversation you cho0se to be in. But, in go0d conscience, you cannot ask some0ne to forgive something that you have not experienced. KNOW that pain first, Mr. Gutierrez. And then guide us towards forgiveness. I pray you never HAVE TO. May you be BleSsed as well, Sir!!
James Bo-pete Johnson – If we were cowards then, we would not be where we are today. Other nationalities wouldn't even be here. We have spiritual power that we don't even know about. We need to stop focusing our thoughts on others and use our spiritual power. Stop seeking things from them. Stop focusing our thoughts on them. Remember your thoughts create. Right now, we need to unprogram our people, especially the young.
You said that black women love their white jesus, Well, black men love their white women!!! Black man white women is now being promoted more than ever. Check out the Cherios comercials. Where are our black women in the movies? Why is it that a black man is always with a white women in the movies? Where are the black women in these movies. I'm not talking about the movies made just for us.
Anthony Gutierrez…It is funny how you have pointed out the responses, of the black people in the photos, to the injustice that was inflicted upon them, but you have yet to say anything about the white violence perpetuated upon them.
I'm not against any race of people. I love all. But I am not blind.
African Americans are the way they are (some of them) due to programming. Let's reprogram.
Stop wanting what others have. Stop wanting others to give to you. Get your own. The American music awards for instance, we say we created rap, but still can't receive an award for it. Why do African Americans need to be awarded by others? GET YOUR OWN, WE ARE POWERFUL, OTHERS ENVY THE GIFTS WE DON'T REALIZE WE HAVE.
We are not cowards, Can't you see the strength it took to survive what African Americans went through and where we are today? It didn't just happen by accident. I'm not saying we are where we want to be, but, due to out ancestors not being cowards is why we have the little we have today.
Please show me where I pointed out responses to what? I don't know what you are talking about? I don't think violence is the answer so I don't know what you want me to say or what you're referring to?
I don't see anything funny about the photos or the situation Mr. Brown. But I find it really weird how you guys want to like team up against me for nothing really… Those photos are inspirational.
Anthony Gutierrez …(your response)…."Violence is not the answer." Who were you referring too?
Willie Tre' Brown to Maumau's comment about the gentleman sitting and the people are gathered around him. and nobody truly knows what he is thinking but Maumau thinks he want's to beat those people up assuming by his facial expression. I think it could be interpreted differently and I actually think he is protesting peacefully.
Its easy for you to say violence is not the answer when you view the photos of the people that are perpetrating the violence. There is nothing inspirational in my thoughts or mind about. I am not non violent with anyone that's violent with me.
Michael Kennedy….And let the church say Amen.
Carol Brown First of all what did we do to be disrespected in such a manner. Dam white people and those that love and want to be like them.
Anthony Gutierrez Tell that to these red neck crackers, I don't know what the hell that mean.
How I view what? I think it's inspiring that Atlanta Blackstar made this article and posted these to show the world that perseverance is possible and overcoming even in the toughest times. I think you guys are just trying to give me a hard time but it's ok, I still have love for you.
Michael Kennedy that was actually a racist statement "Dam white people and all those that love them" okayyy bruh (it's 2014) who talks like that?
Michael Kennedy FACT!!!!!
Carol Brown You need to say no to Negropeans and Cooncasians
Kenneth Barone THIS RIGHT HERE: "you cannot ask someone to forgive something that you have not experienced."
Willie Tre' Brown PROBABLY 7TH OR 8TH GENERATION KKK.
Onome Om I'm Gay so I experience discrimination and oppression daily.
Anthony Gutierrez The only thing losers respect is the same that they give away, why is violence not the answer?
Onome Om ARE YOU RETARDED OR CRAZY?
Onome Om You one of them Cooncasions or Negropeans who love Massa
@ Maumau Wunder Joaab – Not only could he beat their asses, he was smarter and braver than them all: Dion Diamond was born in Petersburg, Va. Diamond started college as a physics student at
Howard University in 1959. While in college, Diamond was a founding member of the
Nonviolent Action Group (NAG), an organization made up of Howard students that organized
sit-ins and other direct, nonviolent action against segregation in the Washington, D.C., region.
In the spring of 1961, at 19 years of age, Diamond arranged to take his final exams early so
that he could join the Freedom Rides. Diamond traveled to Montgomery, Ala., to join the
Freedom Riders in their first rides into Mississippi. On May 24, Diamond was one of 16
Freedom Riders to take a Greyhound bus from Montgomery to Jackson, Miss. He was
arrested and spent 59 days in Parchmen State Prison, where wave after wave of freedom
riders were held.
Dion T. Diamond
After his release from prison in Mississippi, Diamond helped organize students at Southern
University in Baton Rouge, La., in demonstrations and marches against segregation. In
January 1962, a judge in Baton Rouge sentenced Diamond to prison for “criminal anarchy”
for his role in organizing the demonstrations. Diamond went on to hold leadership positions in the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee (SNCC), serving as field secretary in
Louisiana and Mississippi. Diamond studied history and sociology at the University of
Wisconsin, and later worked with the D.C. Community Action Project. In 1970, he earned a
M.Ed. at Harvard University. He had a career in civil service in Washington, specializing in
housing, social services, and employment issues.
this is depressing to me white people shoild be bowing down but instead they are behaving kust like their evil ancestor..i hate all white people and nobody dare tell me what to feel bout these evil animals
Carol Brown its obvious some people do not have complete understanding of how blacks were treated and how they arrived and were demeaned my whites in every way possible its sickening to hear another black demean their own race when its done enough by others. And our ancestors didn't allow it they fought but were hung beaten had their families killed children raped burned alive tortured in everyway by groups of men I don't understand how that could remotely be a coward because they tried to fight back. A lot of them fought the way they knew how.But racism will always exist and know its from our own race…
ANTHONY GUTIERREZ: What are you talking about!?! Stop spouting the nonsense from your kindergarden teacher.
We live in arguably the richest, most powerful country on Earth. It started out as the newest, weakest, smallest, poorest of the powers. It became what it is by unleashing a tide of violence on the world unprecedented in human history.
Ask the Indians if violence answered anything, ask the African slaves, ask the Mexicans, the English, the Germans, the Italians, the Chinese. They will all tell you: violence was the DEFINITIVE answer.
Conversly, the Israeli's have found that violence was their answer too. They exist daily only because of the known violence they can bring to bear.
Have you noticed how seldom Hell's Angels get shot by suburban white men because of how they look? There is a reason for that.
The reason that a white motorist's will murder a black teen for being too loud but would never, ever, shoot an outlaw biker for the same 'offense' is the fear if retaliation.
Bully's pick on people they perceive as weaker than them. To appear weak is to INVITE abuse.
It is easy to be a passivist when you have army's of brutal people to protect you. The smallest, weakest woman feels safe insulting the burliest man in a crowded shopping mall. Not so much in a dark and lonely alley.
The problem is that black people are not perceive as a genuine threat. More of a nuisance. Black people do not simply lay wait with a rifle and shoot the person who murdered their son. They march.
They do not take revenge when police gun down their unarmed son, husband, daughter, wife. They march.
Bad for traffic, good for shoe sales.
Oh yeah, and sometimes they riot. Like when the Korean shopkeeper ran out of her store and down the sidewalk shooting a black girl in the back because she said she cursed at her… she killed the girl.., and then got off…
Basically, killing a black person means you will have to take time off from work, spend a few months in jail, and pay a lawyer. See? Nuisance.
That is what is keeping more black people from being gunned down today. Not the cops, they are as worthless as ever. Not the courts, there is no justice there. Not the fear of retribution, blacks never do that. What prevents outright open season on blacks is the inconvenience of it all.
Easy to say blacks were cowards when you're only 9% of the population maybe less. I think basesed on the odds blacks got thing done because they were together.
Easy to say blacks were cowards when you're only 9% of the population maybe less. I think basesed on the odds blacks got thing done because they were together.
Omg!
T Michelle Huntley Yes it NEVER went out of business, Just changed names and continue to abuse and hate Black people
T Michelle Huntley Yes it NEVER went out of business, Just changed names and continue to abuse and hate Black people
Anthony Gutierrez Only fools and retards SLEEP with or play NICE with their enemies!!!!… NEVER forgive or forget.
i tought this was gonna be militant.
May I suggest you not hate and direct your energy by striving to seek information and knowledge both past and the present. A very helpful critique and analysis of the pathological behavior of Europeans is presented by an author by the name of Marimba Ani – An African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior. Her video clips and book (Its not an easy read), can be accessed on google. Peace
Lets place the term "racist" with "asshole"
Anthony Gutierrez Only because THEY have all the guns.
Greg Allen Great post namesake………..