It’s 1877 when
Jim Crow laws say it’s
acceptable
legal
lawful
to segregate Blacks
&
whites
based on the color of
their skin.
In
schools
hospitals
churches
cemeteries
prisons
public transit
restaurants—-
if you were not
white
you were lesser
less than
human.
For years
&
years
&
years
&
years
nothing changed,
until 1954
when the Supreme Court reversed its decision
& ruled segregation unconstitutional.
Yet still,
nothing changed.
Because a ruling is only as effective
as its real--world execution.
the Supreme Court rules
in 1896
Blacks are
“Separate but Equal”
yet
outside
in the middle of July
in Birmingham, Alabama,
sweat drips
d
o
w
n
your forehead
your neck
your back
drenching
your shirt
your shorts
your socks
s e p a r a t e
but equal
you find a water fountain
your water fountain
and press the small rusty button
water arches
up
and out
waiting
for your
puck ered
lips
s e p a r a t e
but equal
only
it’s hot
brown
tastes like dirt
you glance around
checking for them
then
sneak a sip
from their fountain
s e p a r a t e
but equal
it’s cold
ice--cold
and refreshing
you sigh
s e p a r a t e
but equal
you are
not.
the Civil Rights Movement
was more than just
Dr. King
marching,
Rosa Parks
sitting,
Malcolm X
fighting.
it was
your mom
your grandma
your best friend’s great--aunt.
it was
everyday people
like you and me.
1954
May 17
Brown v. Board of Education
+
inherently unequal, an unconstitutional violation of the fourteenth amendment
=
white schools
+
Black schools
=
a great day for America and its court.
= segregation in public schools now illegal
in theory.
SIGNS, EVERYWHERE YOU GO . . . whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only WHITES ONLY
for colored
their (other) signs read
funny thing is
white is still a color
/
