HISTORY TOPICS

African American Civil Rights Movement

Overview

The civil rights movement grew out of a century of grassroots efforts in a long struggle for racial justice for African Americans. In Minnesota, the struggle was headed by leaders of the African-American communities, including, among others, Fredrick L. McGhee, the Reverend Denzil A. Carty, Nellie Stone Johnson, and Harry Davis; by ministers and congregations of black churches; by editors and publishers of black newspapers; by racial, interracial, and interdenominational organizations; and by orchestrated legal challenges in the courts. Fighting for desegregation and against discrimination and the denial by society of their legitimate claim to equal human and civil rights, were acts of courage in the prevailing climate of police brutality and lynching. Hubert H. Humphrey joined the cause early in his political career.

These scattered efforts began to coalesce at the end of WWII when African-American soldiers, having risked their lives to save the freedom of the world, returned to the United States, only to find themselves deprived of it at home. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Urban League — including their Minnesota chapters — joined other organizations in using legal, political, judicial, economic, and legislative means to gain full citizenship rights for their people. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and his colleagues in the Southern Christian Leadership Congress (SCLC), carried forward a moral crusade of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance that began with the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, spread through sit-ins and demonstrations, as local groups and their leaders joined the struggle, and succeeded, ultimately, in bringing about passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

 

Get Started With Secondary Sources

• First Class Citizenship: The Civil Rights Letters of Jackie Robinson , edited by Michael G. Long.
  New York: Times Books, 2007.
  Rightly known for his personal courage and athletic prowess in breaking baseball's "color barrier," this book shows another side of Jackie Robinson—an articulate, forthright champion of civil rights.  In his correspondence with the wealthy and powerful, who often sought to use him, Robinson did not hesitate to state his views even to presidents, nor was he afraid to criticize leaders of the Civil Rights movement. Letters to and from Hubert H. Humphrey are included in the book
  MHS call number: GV 865 .R6 A4 2007 .
• Fredrick L. McGhee: A Life on the Color Line, 1861-1912, by Paul D. Nelson.
  St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2002.
  The biography of a pioneer in early desegregation, anti-lynching, and civil rights cases, and a tireless activist and organizer for African American civil rights.
  MHS call number: Reading Room KF 368 .M35 N45 2002.
• "Lena Olive Smith: A Minnesota Civil Rights Pioneer," by Ann Juergens.
  In the William Mitchell Law Review, vol. 28, no. 2 (2001): pp. 397-453.
  MHS call number: KF 373 .S65 J83 2001.
• "Lena Olive Smith: Civil Rights in the 1930s," by Jackie Sluss.
  In Hennepin History, vol. 54, no. 1 (winter 1995): pp. 28-34.
  MHS call number: Reading Room F 612 .H52 H42 v.54:1.
• Nellie Stone Johnson: The Life of an Activist, as told to David Brauer.
  St. Paul, Minn.: Ruminator Books, 2000.
  MHS call number: Reading Room HD 8073 .J54 A3 2000.
• Standing Fast: The Autobiography of Roy Wilkins, by Roy Wilkins, with Tom Mathews.
  New York: Viking Press, 1982.
  MHS call number: E 185.97 .W69 A37.
• Whitney M. Young, Jr., and the Struggle for Civil Rights, by Nancy J. Weiss.
  Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1989.
  Delineates a noted African-American leader whose early career with the Urban League began in St. Paul.
  MHS call number: E 185.97 .Y635 W45 1989.

 

Primary Resources

• Barbara Bearman Papers.
  This archival collection contains correspondence, minutes, legal papers, printed materials, notes, clippings, and other papers relating to Bearman's involvement in school integration activities in Minneapolis, especially through the Committee for Integrated Education. The records center on a suit brought by private individuals against the Minneapolis Board of Education to compel it to implement a judicial order to integrate the public school system.
  MHS call number: See the green Manuscripts Alpha Notebooks—filed alphabetically under Bearman, Barbara—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 3 boxes).
• Bloomington Human Relations Council Records.
  This archival collection consists of minutes of two meetings, membership list, fact sheet, and related materials of a community organization formed in 1964 by citizens of the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington to work against racial discrimination, especially with regard to local housing, schools, and employment.
  MHS call number: See green Manuscripts Alpha Notebooks—filed alphabetically under Bloomington Human Relations Council—for the locator number (there is 1 folder of material), or use an electronic version of the inventory.
• Denzil A. Carty Papers.
  This archival collection consists of biographical information, correspondence, minutes, newspaper clippings, reports, and printed materials documenting activities of Black Episcopal priest Denzil Carty in the Protestant Episcopal Church and in many racial, interracial, and interdenominational organizations in St. Paul. Civil and human rights organizations and activities, especially in St. Paul and Minnesota, are well documented in the papers, as are evidences of discrimination in schooling, housing, and employment. Carty took an active role in civil rights organizations and worked closely with civic, religious, and political leaders on the local, state, and national levels.
  MHS call number: P1725; see the green Manuscripts Notebooks for a detailed list of boxes (there are 7 boxes, but not all relate to this topic), or use an electronic version of the inventory.
• Hubert H. Humphrey Papers, Vice Presidential Files.
  These files (1964-1968) are concerned with activities, agencies, and programs with which the Vice President was officially connected or in which he had a personal or official interest. They are especially full for such programs as civil rights (through the President's Council on Equal Opportunity).
  MHS call number: See the green Manuscripts Alpha Notebooks — filed alphabetically under Humphrey, Hubert H.—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 600 boxes, but not all relate to this topic), or use an electronic version of the inventory.
• Minnesota Civil Liberties Union (MCLU)
  • Newsletters.
    The newsletter includes an annual supplement that reports on the Union's activities.
    MHS call number:
    1953-1961: Newsletter: Microfilm 1507.
    1962-present: Civil Liberties News: Microfilm 1507 r.2.
  • Minnesota Civil Liberties Union Records.
    This archival collection consists of organizational files, subject files, and case files documenting the 1952 formation and subsequent activities of the Minnesota state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and subsequent operational, educational, legislative advocacy, and litigious activities in the fields of civil rights and civil liberties.
    Restriction: Access to records less than 25 years old requires written permission. Also, quotation or publication, beyond the fair use provision of the copyright law, from records less than 25 years old requires written permission. Ask a librarian for help.
    MHS call number: See the green Manuscripts Alpha Notebooks—filed alphabetically under Minnesota Civil Liberties Union—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 127 boxes, but not all relate directly to this topic), or use an electronic version of the inventory.
• Minnesota Council on Religion and Race Records.
  The Council was organized in 1963 and disbanded around 1971. The collection includes minutes of meetings; correspondence files; financial records; newspaper clippings; news releases; printed materials, and a number of subject files containing materials on organizations such as: Project Equality; the Governor's Human Rights Commission; the Jewish Community Relations Council; Fair Employment Practices Commission; Twin Cities Opportunities Industrialization Center; Interfaith Housing Corporation; and the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials.
  MHS call number: See the green Manuscripts Alpha Notebooks—filed alphabetically under Minnesota Council on Religion and Race—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 11 boxes, but not all relate to this topic), or use an electronic version of the inventory.
• "Minnesota Living History: Harry Davis."
  Osseo, Minn.: Independent School District No. 279, 1982.
  Davis discusses overcoming a physical handicap and racial discrimination to become a Minneapolis community leader and businessperson. He is active in the local youth boxing program, civil rights, and the war on poverty.
  MHS call number: Videotape no. 72 (in the A-V Collection; 1 23-minute videocassette).
• Minnesota Office of the Attorney General, Human Rights Department/Governor's Human Rights Commission/State Commission Against Discrimination
  • Annual and Biennial Reports.
    Reports (1956-present) of the Human Rights Department.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department—for a detailed list of volumes and locator numbers.
  • Commissioner's Correspondence.
    These files (1971-1977) document all aspects of the department's interests and activities, including legislation, discrimination cases, legal suits and rulings, appointments, affirmative action, the Women's Advisory Committee, and speaking engagements.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 2 boxes).
  • Commission Minutes [State Commission Against Discrimination].
    The minutes (1955-1967) deal with discrimination complaints, commissioners' speaking engagements, local commissions against discrimination, personnel matters, budgets, and other administrative concerns. An index for 1955-1964 is filed at the beginning of the minutes. Accompanying case files cover the discrimination complaints investigated by the commission.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department, State Commission Against Discrimination—for a detailed list and the locator number (there is only 1 box).
  • Commission Minutes [Governor's Human Rights Commission].
    The minutes (1943-1967) deal with the commission's research projects, conferences attended by commissioners, specific problems and complaints concerning minority groups, and routine administrative matters.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department, Governor's Human Rights Commission)—for the locator numbers (there are 2 volumes).
  • [Commission] Miscellaneous Records.
    Although these files (1949-1963) contain come correspondence and memos, they are primarily collected background information material, including reports, budgets, conference materials, and newsletters. Topics include Brotherhood Week and Citizenship Day; Bureau of Indian Affairs; discrimination in cemeteries, housing, and resorts; Indians in Albert Lea; travel and communication statements; and youth.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department, Governor's Human Rights Commission—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 2 partial boxes).
  • Community Human Rights Groups Files.
    Primarily correspondence (1947-1967) between the Governor's Human Rights Commission and various local human rights organizations.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department, Governor's Human Rights Commission—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 2 partial boxes).
  • Newspaper Clippings [Governor's Human Rights Commission].
    Clippings (1949-1965) organized into the following subject areas: civil rights, fair housing, Indian Student Project, Blacks, and commission activities. Within each subject area, the clippings are arranged chronologically.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department, Governor's Human Rights Commission—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 2 partial boxes).
  • Newspaper Clippings [Human Rights Department]
    Clippings scrapbooks (arranged chronologically, 1955-1978) and loose clippings (arranged by subject, 1964-1980) cover the activities of the Human Rights Department. Topics include abortion, Indians, Blacks (African Americans), civil rights, Mexican Americans, migrant workers, school desegregation and busing, welfare programs, and women's rights.
    MHS call number: See the black State Archives Notebooks—filed under Human Rights Department—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 7 boxes).
• City of Minneapolis
  • Civil Rights Department Case Files.
    Files (1967-1977)-consisting of complaint reports, correspondence, legal papers, exhibits, and summaries-relate to complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, and public services.
    MHS call number: See the red State Archives notebooks for local government—filed under Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Civil Rights Department—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 41 boxes).
  • Fair Employment Practice Commission, Files of Amos S. Deinard.
    This archival collection (1947-1965) contains minutes and agenda materials from commission meetings; and Deinard's files as commission chairman, including correspondence, memos, reports, news releases, and newspaper clippings.
    MHS call number: See the red State Archives Notebooks for local government—filed under Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Fair Employment Practice Commission—for a detailed list and the locator number (there is only 1 box).
• City of Saint Paul
• City Attorney Closed General Files.
  This archival collection (1955-1986) includes correspondence, reports, grant proposals, agreements and contracts, legal opinions, hearing transcripts, and in many instances minutes of city departments, commissions, and committees. There is considerable information on civil and human rights.
  MHS call number: See the red State Archives Notebooks for local governments—filed under Ramsey County, St. Paul, City Attorney—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 21 boxes, but not all relate to this topic).
• City Council, Files of Council Member William Wilson.
  This archival collection (1971-1992) consists of press releases and affirmative action files of city council member and president William Wilson. The affirmative action materials include general correspondence files, ordinances/resolutions, particularly involving civil service, news clippings, and materials from Wilson's service on the Council's Finance, Management and Personnel Committee.
  MHS call number: See the red State Archives Notebooks for local governments—filed under Ramsey County, St. Paul, City Council—for a detailed list and the locator number (there is only 1 box).
• Human Rights Department
  • Affirmative Action Records.
    This archival collection (1981-1987) includes recommendations to city departments on affirmative action hiring, evaluation remarks on candidate hires necessary to attain affirmative action goals, appointment reports (1987 only), lists of candidates for positions, requisitions to fill positions, and related correspondence.
    Restriction: Many files contain data classified private under Minnesota Statute 13.43. Ask a librarian for help.
    MHS call number: See the red State Archives Notebooks for local governments—filed under Ramsey County, St. Paul, Human Rights Department—for a detailed box list and locator numbers (there are only 19 folders of material).
  • Case Files.
    This archival collection (1955-1980) includes summary complaints, investigation reports, interview transcripts, information on disposition of cases, and tape recordings.
    MHS call number: See the red State Archives Notebooks for local government—filed under Ramsey County, St. Paul, Human Rights Department—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 46 boxes).
  • Correspondence.
    This archival collection consists of correspondence of Donald Lewis, deputy director (1968-1972) and director (1972-1980), and Judy Goodman, assistant director (1974-1975). The files cover such topics as affirmative action, the City of St. Paul Civil and Human Rights Ordinance, testimony before the state legislature, attendance at the national convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), seminars given for city employees, and discrimination involving women, homosexuals, the handicapped, the aged, housing, and the city's police and fire departments.
    MHS call number: See the red State Archives Notebooks for local governments—filed under Ramsey County, St. Paul, Human Rights Department—for a detailed list of boxes and locator numbers (there are 2 boxes).

Newspapers

• Minneapolis Spokesman
• Minneapolis Star-Tribune (an index for articles published after 1970 is located in the Hubbs Microfilm Room)
• St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch (an index for articles published in 1967 or after is located in the Hubbs Microfilm Room)
• St. Paul Recorder

 

Visual Resources

• Visual Resources Database subjects that may be useful for this topic:
  • Civil rights

Learn More

• Check the library catalog for other materials.