A Changing Society Politics and New Problems p. 561 Civil Rights and Politics p

School Desegregation Civil Rights lawyers argued that segregation of the races was unconstitutional. Civil Rights lawyers argued that segregation of the races was unconstitutional. In the 1954 case of Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, civil rights lawyers argued that schools that were separated by race could never be equal. In the 1954 case of Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, civil rights lawyers argued that schools that were separated by race could never be equal. The Court ordered schools to desegregate “with all deliberate speed.” The Court ordered schools to desegregate “with all deliberate speed.” Mansfield was the site of the most visible resistance to desegregation, as mobs prevented African American students from enrolling at the local high school. Mansfield was the site of the most visible resistance to desegregation, as mobs prevented African American students from enrolling at the local high school.

School Desegregation More common than mob action were delaying tactics. Some school districts submitted plant that called for desegregation one grade per years so that full desegregation would take 12 years. More common than mob action were delaying tactics. Some school districts submitted plant that called for desegregation one grade per years so that full desegregation would take 12 years. Sometimes African American students were enrolled in white schools but were grouped in segregated classrooms in one part of the building and assigned a separate lunch period. Sometimes African American students were enrolled in white schools but were grouped in segregated classrooms in one part of the building and assigned a separate lunch period. School officials also resisted court decisions guaranteeing Mexican American children access to desegregated schools. School officials also resisted court decisions guaranteeing Mexican American children access to desegregated schools.

Desegregation of Public Facilities African Americans also wanted access to public facilities such as parks, libraries, swimming pools, and auditoriums. African Americans also wanted access to public facilities such as parks, libraries, swimming pools, and auditoriums. African Americans’ taxes helped to support these facilities, but they were denied the use of them. African Americans’ taxes helped to support these facilities, but they were denied the use of them. A popular form of resistance to the desegregation was to turn the operation of city properties over to a private club organized specifically to maintain discrimination. A popular form of resistance to the desegregation was to turn the operation of city properties over to a private club organized specifically to maintain discrimination.

The Great Society President Lyndon B. Johnson was a strong supporter of civil rights. President Lyndon B. Johnson was a strong supporter of civil rights. He helped push the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act through Congress. He helped push the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act through Congress. These laws promoted the rights of all perople, regardless of race. These laws promoted the rights of all perople, regardless of race. In 1965, he addressed Congress, as the nation watched, saying: In 1965, he addressed Congress, as the nation watched, saying: “ A century has passed…since the Negro was freed. And he is not fully free tonight…A century has passed since equality was promised. And yet the Negro is not equal…”

Growing Involvement of African Americans James Farmer became a leader in the struggle for equality for African Americans. James Farmer became a leader in the struggle for equality for African Americans. He was attracted to the ideas of Mohandas Gandhi, who had led a nonviolent movement for the independence of India. He was attracted to the ideas of Mohandas Gandhi, who had led a nonviolent movement for the independence of India. Farmer founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) which was dedicated to the idea of peaceful change. Farmer founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) which was dedicated to the idea of peaceful change.

Growing Involvement of African Americans In boycotts, people would protests by refusing to use a certain product or service. In boycotts, people would protests by refusing to use a certain product or service. During sit-ins, demonstrators physically sat down inside or in front of businesses or offices, interfering with the process of work. During sit-ins, demonstrators physically sat down inside or in front of businesses or offices, interfering with the process of work. Freedom rides took integrated buses through segregated areas of the South to draw attention to civil rights. Freedom rides took integrated buses through segregated areas of the South to draw attention to civil rights.

Forming New Groups In the summer of 1966 many Mexican Americans farm workers protested the harsh conditions of farm work. In the summer of 1966 many Mexican Americans farm workers protested the harsh conditions of farm work. The workers were exposed to dangerous agricultural chemicals without the aid of safety equipment. The workers were exposed to dangerous agricultural chemicals without the aid of safety equipment. The field hands went on strike, demanding a minimum wage, decent housing, provision of toilets and drinking water, and the banning of the short-handled hoe. The field hands went on strike, demanding a minimum wage, decent housing, provision of toilets and drinking water, and the banning of the short-handled hoe.

Forming New Groups The Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) was formed in The Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) was formed in Educational issues were among the most visible of MAYO’s causes. It wanted more Mexican American teachers, Mexican American studies in the curriculum, and an end to discriminatory school policies. Educational issues were among the most visible of MAYO’s causes. It wanted more Mexican American teachers, Mexican American studies in the curriculum, and an end to discriminatory school policies. MAYO led walkouts in several high schools. MAYO led walkouts in several high schools.