In the wake of World War II (1941-45) African Americans mobilized in unprecedented numbers to lobby for an end to state-sanctioned segregation. At the vanguard of this movement was the NAACP, and its legal arm, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund (LDF) [1]. Under the direction of special counsel… read more
A Dignified Response: Heman Marion Sweatt
Although Texas differed little from Mississippi or Alabama in resisting the dismantling of segregation, Texas’ white citizens were perceived as being more open to the idea of African American civil rights than their Southern brethren. In a 1948 poll 66% of white Texans opposed equal rights for African Americans. As… read more
An Architect’s Advocacy: John Chase
The verbal portrait painted by Amy Maverick Crossette introduces this particular story best: [1] In a sea of white faces, John Saunders Chase waited patiently amid the stares and glares of the swarm of humanity surrounding him. Cameras flashed as reporters hurled questions at him and jotted down his responses… read more