Dao Tran English 1301 Professor: James Ford Jr. 20 September 2016 Treasures of Texas Southern University The success of Civil Right Movement in the 1960s turned a new historical chapter for African Americans to be protected equally by the law. In this progress against discrimination and racial segregation, there were numerous significant contributions by individuals such as Martin Luther King, Charles K. Steele, Fred L. Shuttlesworth, etc.; also the institutions and communities like Historically Black Colleges and universities (HBCUs). Eventhough Texas Southern University (TSU) has encountered vast difficulties in their progress of establishment and development, they have affirmed the rights, the value and the voice of African Americans because …show more content…
of the history of TSU, their Murals of Hannah Hall is a historic, and what the legendary professor Dr. Thomas Freeman has done is invaluable pride of African Americans. The history of TSU is proudly associated with African American history because initially, the school was one of the first HBCUs born to give African American an opportunity to receive college training in 1927.
In their mature progress from the establishment date until 1951, the school name was changed three times. Originally named Houston Colored Junior College (1927-1934), it was changed to Houston College for Negroes (1934-1947) and finally Texas State University for Negroes (1947-1951). In 1951, the petition of students against the state legislature to remove the phrase “for Negroes” was a noticeable effort contributed in Civil Rights Movement. As a result, the name Texas Southern University has been public from 1951 to present. After a long period of time raising the voice of African Americans against unequal treatment between Blacks and Whites, nowadays, they should be proud of their position in the nation because of their high quality education for African Americans which is on top of national college …show more content…
ranking. At the present time, the other treasure of TSU is considerably the Murals of Hannah Hall. It is not only a common art exhibition but also the historical project representing the African American culture which was established and developed by Dr. John Biggers, founder of the Art Department at TSU. This art work is the achievement of the idea which encourages the freedom in art creation and becomes a part of senior art major’s graduation requirement in TSU. Consequently, the students have been working strictly and inspiredly as genuine artists whose works are seen by hundreds and hundreds of visitors to the campus. Eventually, the African Americans history, from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement, to the establishment of HBCUs is preserved by murals of more than 128 student and also of Dr. John Biggers in Hannah Hall, which makes it unique in the United States. Moreover, it could be a mistake to talk about TSU’s invaluable prides without their legendary professor, Dr.
Thomas F. Freeman. The philosophy professor has devoted his lectures and efforts to TSU since 1949. He is recognized the iconic debate coach of TSU, the African American community, the United State, and also the world. Among his countless successful students who have won hundreds of national and international debate award, may be the lawyers, educators, politicians, Barbara Jordan and Dr. Martin Luther King are the two greatest names. While Barbara Jordan was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement then became the first African American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives, Dr. Martin Luther King was best known for his important contribution in the success of the Civil Rights Movement and later received Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, the latest achievement of Dr. Thomas F Freeman was leading the debate team of TSU winning the 24th Annual International Forensics Association Tournament in Belgium in
2013. In conclusion, TSU is the historical witness for all efforts and triumphs of African American in their long period of fighting against unequal treatment in the nation. At the same time, they contributed to the Civil Rights Movement’s success; likewise their survival and development are also the accomplishment of this movement. During their nine-decade history, they proudly possess three treasures considered belonging to African American history and culture, which are the history, the Murals of Hannah Hall and a legendary professor Dr. Thomas Freeman. Therefore, it is an important mission for TSU’s student to preserve and develop their traditional values.
Throughout the course of American history, there have been many historical figures who have been responsible for, or were a part of the gradual change of our nation. In the early to mid 1900's, the United States was racially segregated, and African Americans were looked at as second class citizens. In the mid-1900's, a time period which is now known as the Civil Rights Movement, there were a number of different people who helped lead the charge to desegregate the United States. Some of the historical figures, who's names are synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement, include political activist Martin Luther King, NAACP officer Medgar Evers, Baptist minister Malcolm X, and normal citizen Rosa Parks. All of these people were a very large part of the Civil Rights Movement and attempted to recognize African Americans as equals to Whites.
Stewart’s essay “The Field and Function of Black Studies”, he implies that black history is dominated by continuing challenges by its critics and the weak attachment of many scholars to the black studies movement and to black studies units even when the research of such scholars examines the black experience (pg. 45). Statistics show that 70.2 percent indicated that the number of full-time faculty members who have appointments outside black studies and another academic units is stable, proving the fact that black studies has established a beachhead in higher education. This statistic demonstrates how things have been stable in terms of growing the teachings of black studies, which causes challenges. A challenge that can be seen from this issue, is the lack of financial support available to faculty and students. Small budgets are provided to Black Study departments at many universities, therefore, making it difficult to purchase materials and hire more educated, experienced staff
For almost two hundred years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs have played a pivotal role in the education of African-American people, and negro people internationally. These schools have provided the majority of black college graduates at the Graduate and Post-Graduate level; schools such as Hampton University, Morehouse University, Spellman University and Howard University are four universities at the forefront of the advanced education of blacks. For sometime there has been a discussion on whether or not these institutes should remain in existence or if they are just another form of racism. There were also concerning the quality of education provided at these institutions. In my opinion, from the evidence provided in our own world today, HBCUs are very important and significant in the education of black people throughout the nation, and are essential to our society.
African Americans are in need of schools and good education. Dr. Patterson, from the UNCF, wrote to presidents of private colleges asking for their money to help build private schools for African Americans. The United Negro College fund received support from many Americans. This fund gives opportunities to individuals and higher levels of education (Tucker). The United Negro College fund helped the Tuskegee Airmen break racial stereotypes because it proved to others that their education was important and they had the ability to earn one.
In order to fully understand the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as the importance of their preservation and need for continuation, one...
Clearly, HBCUs provide several benefits to African-American students. Not only have they helped to combat the cycle of discrimination that minority students experienced before the civil rights initiatives of the 1960s, but they strive to provide a warm, supportive and inclusive academic environment that addresses African-American college students as a whole person. Additionally, HBCUs are increasing their efforts to ensure that higher education is accessible, affordable and achievable for individuals with unique socioeconomic challenges. Despite obstacles, historically Black institutions will continue to play a vital and significant role in the fabric of higher education.
Thurgood Marshall was known in the NAACP’s Legal Defense as “Mr. Civil Rights,” because he fought many battles over segregation in the courts. Thurgood Marshall was surrounded by a team of brilliant lawyers, one in particular, Oliver Hill, from Virginia. Mr. Hill won many civil rights suits dealing with discrimination in education and wages. The civil rights movement included different groups with many priorities, all working toward the larger goal of social equality. The most highly educational law suit is Brown v. Board of Education. Oliver Brown sued the Topeka, Kansas, Board of Education to simply allow his own 8 year old daughter Linda attend a nearby school for whites only. Imagine every day walking by a school that have your grade level, riding a bus for miles to attend a school where only students of color must attend. On May 17, 1954, in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, and this is when the Supreme Court issued its historic ruling. It was Thurgood Marshall that spoke to reporters in New York City in 1955, after the Supreme Court ordered the desegregation of public schools. Marshall later became the first African American Supreme Court
HBCU’s have a line of history behind them. Each Institution provides examples of dedication and determination and they offer an education for “African-American” students and students of different backgrounds. HBCU’s prepare students for leadership and successful futures. Institutions today are facing major issues that could cause them to be non-existence but they work hard and push until they get what they need. This is a source of motivation to alumni’s and prospective students. The Colleges provide history, motivation, provision, and most importantly knowledge to every student that attends.
Thurgood Marshall was one of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement. Born in the 19th hundreds during a very racially segregated era, Marshall, being an African American, “fought against what he saw as injustice. In doing so, he helped change the lives of all African Americans
Before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, segregation in the United States was commonly practiced in many of the Southern and Border States. This segregation while supposed to be separate but equal, was hardly that. Blacks in the South were discriminated against repeatedly while laws did nothing to protect their individual rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ridded the nation of this legal segregation and cleared a path towards equality and integration. The passage of this Act, while forever altering the relationship between blacks and whites, remains as one of history’s greatest political battles.
In 1528, African Texans had begun to arrive. From 1821 to the Texas Revolution of 1836 slavery had began to grow. By 1860 30 percent of Texas Population was enslaved. In 1861 of February, Texas voted for secession. But freedom didn’t come until June 19, 1865. There as an organization formed to fight for equality rights of African Americans. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909. In 1950, African Texans had won a major case that eliminated segregation in the South’s graduate and professional schools. The Sweatt v. Painter case was make a case by Thurgood Marshall and William J. Durham both member of the NAACP. They obtained the University of Texas Law School to accept black students. Another case was the Brown v. Board of Education it was filed against Topeka, Kansas School board by Oliver Brown a parent of one of the students who was African American. It brought about desegregation of schools. There is no doubt that these two cases were a struggle for racial equality in
From the mid 1800’s to the mid 1900’s African Americans endured relentlessness racism. White supremacists dehumanized African Americans in almost all aspects of their life. The hate sparked intelligent leaders to stand against the south and resist the racism. Of these important Civil Rights figures, Charles Hamilton Houston (1895-1950), an attorney and law professor at Howard University instructed a generation of black lawyer activists to defend equal rights for all. Houston wrote, “Need for Negro Lawyers,” and “Negro Separate Schools,” to explain his views and goals in regards to Civil Rights activism. He elucidated blacks capabilities and fought oppression through education.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was the prominent black leader of the civil rights movement of the fifties and sixties. No other black leader in modern history has been accorded the incredible respect and admiration bestowed upon Dr. King. In 1963 he became the first black person to be named Time Magazine's "Man of the Year”. In 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize making him the youngest person and only third black person to get this award. He was the first black in American history to have a national holiday. Born and raised in the middle of Southern racism, Martin Luther King Jr. gathered unexpected national and international fame as a leader. He grew up to articulate many of the controversial and contradictory tendencies in the
As more and more African American students were admitted into white Southern schools, segregationists continued to retaliate and defend their schools against them. No matter how difficult the situation turned out for some of them, and without much help from the government, African Americans did everything they possibly could to protect their educational rights for the sake of their future and success, and in the hope of promoting equality for all African American people in the United States. These students became the symbol of freedom and opened up the window of opportunity for all black people, for their ancestors, and for the future generations to come. Works Cited "Eyes on the Prize - 02 - Fighting Back, 1957-1962." YouTube.
Wright, Scott W. “This Isn’t Working!” Black Issues in Higher Education 14 (Feb. 1998): 14-15.