I, like many members of my generation, was concerned with segregation and the repeated violation of civil rights.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
During the 60's, I was, in fact, very concerned about the civil rights movement.
It was the best route to get folks to understand segregation fast. Civil rights and women's rights had a clear history. Making the transition to rights for people with disabilities became easier because we had the history of the other two.
In so many ways, segregation shaped me, and education liberated me.
When growing up, I saw segregation. I saw racial discrimination. I saw those signs that said white men, colored men. White women, colored women. White waiting. And I didn't like it.
Segregation was a burden for many blacks, because the end of the civil war and the amendments added to the constitution elevated expectations beyond reality in some respects.
Segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever!
Segregation, in a sense, helped create and maintain black solidarity.
We demand that segregation be ended in every school district in the year 1963! We demand that we have effective civil rights legislation - no compromise, no filibuster - and that include public accommodations, decent housing, integrated education, FEPC and the right to vote.
I grew up segregated, but there was not much feeling of being shut out of anything.
I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.