Desegregation is a term that can be defined as the process of abolishing racial segregation. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement of the mid 1950's to late 1960's, the desegregation of school systems was a heated issue in the United States both at a federal and state level. Many events transpired throughout this decade that were monumental not only to the educational system but to the civil rights of African-American's as a whole. It can be said then, that the desegregation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg North Carolina School System during the Civil Rights Movement included involvement by the NAACP, nonviolent methods of protest, federal government rulings, local city official proceedings, and student/parent involvement that aided in shaping the future of America.
Before discussing the issue of desegregation in the public schools of Charlotte, it's important to have a basic concept of the events occurring during that time, as well as the key figures involved.
English: Photograph of Rosa Parks with Dr. Martin ...
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Crowds surrounding the Reflecting Pool, during the...The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People commonly referred to as the NAACP was formed in 1909 and took an active role in the Civil Rights Movement. There were NAACP branches throughout the country including North Carolina.
An African-American man by the name of Kelly M. Alexander was President of the North Carolina NAACP at the time that desegregation became a prominent issue. Often, the NAACP would hold meetings to initiate action within the African-American community and these meetings would occur in churches. This is partly because no other locations were available, and because by going to African-American churches they were able to appeal to larger crowds.
One key event occurred in 1955 when an African-American woman by the name of Rosa Parks, refused to move to the back of a bus in Alabama. This nonviolent method of protest ultimately caused bus segregation to be declared...