Courage to Dissent : Atlanta and the Long History of the Civil Rights Movement

In this Bancroft Prize-winning history of the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta from the end of World War II to 1980, Tomiko Brown-Nagin shows that long before "black power" emerged and gave black dissent from the mainstream civil rights agenda a name, African Americans in Atlanta questioned the meaning of equality and the steps necessary to obtain a share of the American dream. This groundbreaking book uncovers the activism of visionaries--both well-known figures and unsung citizens--from across the ideological spectrum who sought something different from, or more complicated than, "integration." Local activists often played leading roles in carrying out the agenda of the NAACP, but some also pursued goals that differed markedly from those of the venerable civil rights organization. Brown-Nagin documents debates over politics, housing, public accommodations, and schools. Exploring the complex interplay between the local and national, between lawyers and communities, between elites and grassroots, and between middle-class and working-class African Americans, Courage to Dissent transforms our understanding of the Civil Rights era.;"Aren't going to let a nigger practice in our courts" : the milieu of civil rights pragmatism -- The roots of pragmatism : voting rights activism inside and outside the courts, 1944-1957 -- Housing markets, Black and White : negotiating the postwar housing crisis, 1944-1959 -- "Segregation pure and simple" : school, community, and the NAACP's education litigation, 1942-1958 -- More than "polite segregation" : Brown in public spaces, 1954-1959 -- Seeking redress in the streets : the student movement's challenge to racial pragmatism and legal liberalism, 1960-1961 -- A volatile alliance : the marriage of lawyers and demonstrators, 1961-1964 -- Local people as agents of constitutional change : the movement against "private" discrimination, and the countermobilization, 1963-1964 -- "New politics" : law, organizing, and a "movement of movements" in the Southern ghetto, 1965-1967 -- A curious silence : community activism and the legal campaign to implement Brown, 1958-1968 -- An end to an "annual agony" : the black backlash against Brown and busing, 1969-1974 -- "Bus them to Philadelphia" : a feminist lawyer and poor mothers crusade to redeem Brown, 1972-1980. The Civil Rights Movement That Emerged In The United States After World War Ii Was A Reaction Against Centuries Of Racial Discrimination. In This Sweeping History Of The Civil Rights Movement In Atlanta--the South's Largest And Most Economically Important City--from The 1940s Through 1980, Tomiko Brown-nagin Shows That The Movement Featured A Vast Array Of Activists And Many Sophisticated Approaches To Activism. Long Before Black Power Emerged And Gave Black Dissent From The Mainstream Civil Rights Agenda A New Name, African Americans In Atlanta Debated The Meaning Of Equality And The Steps Necessary To Obtain Social And Economic Justice. This Groundbreaking Book Uncovers The Activism Of Visionaries-- Both Well-known Legal Figures And Unsung Citizens--from Across The Ideological Spectrum Who Sought Something Different From, Or More Complicated Than, Integration. Local Activists Often Played Leading Roles In Carrying Out The Integrationist Agenda Of The Naacp, But Some Also Pursued Goals That Differed Markedly From Those Of The Venerable Civil Rights Organization. Brown-nagin Discusses Debates Over Politics, Housing, Public Accommodations, And Schools. She Documents How The Bruising Battle Over School Desegregation In The 1970s, Which Featured Opposing Camps Of African Americans, Had Its Roots In The Years Before Brown V. Board Of Education. Exploring The Complex Interplay Between The Local And National, Between Lawyers And Communities, Between Elites And Grassroots, And Between Middle-class And Working-class African Americans, Courage To Dissent Tells Gripping Stories About The Long Struggle For Equality That Speak To The Nation's Current Urban Crisis. This Remarkable Book Will Transform Our Understanding Of The Civil Rights Era. --book Jacket. Aren't Going To Let A Nigger Practice In Our Courts : The Milieu Of Civil Rights Pragmatism -- The Roots Of Pragmatism : Voting Rights Activism Inside And Outside The Courts, 1944-1957 -- Housing Markets, Black And White : Negotiating The Postwar Housing Crisis, 1944-1959 -- Segregation Pure And Simple : School, Community, And The Naacp's Education Litigation, 1942-1958 -- More Than Polite Segregation : Brown In Public Spaces, 1954-1959 -- Seeking Redress In The Streets : The Student Movement's Challenge To Racial Pragmatism And Legal Liberalism, 1960-1961 -- A Volatile Alliance : The Marriage Of Lawyers And Demonstrators, 1961-1964 -- Local People As Agents Of Constitutional Change : Legal Dead Ends, The Movement Against Private Discrimination, And The Countermobilization, 1963-1964 -- New Politics : Law, Organizing, And A Movement Of Movements In The Southern Ghetto, 1965-1967 -- A Curious Silence : Community Activism And The Legal Campaign To Implement Brown, 1958-1971 -- An End To An Annual Agony : The Backlash Against Brown And Busing, 1971-1974 -- Bus Them To Philadelphia : A Feminist Lawyer And Poor Mothers Crusade To Redeem Brown, 1972-1980. Tomiko Brown-nagin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. pt. 1. A.T. Walden and pragmatic civil rights lawyering in the postwar era "Aren't going to let a nigger practice in our courts" : the milieu of civil rights pragmatism The roots of pragmatism : voting rights activism inside and outside the courts, 1944-1957 Housing markets, Black and White : negotiating the postwar housing crisis, 1944-1959 "Segregation pure and simple" : school, community, and the NAACP's education litigation, 1942-1958 More than "polite segregation" : Brown in public spaces, 1954-1959 pt. 2. The movement, its lawyers, and the fight for racial justice during the 1960s Seeking redress in the streets : the student movment's challenge to racial pragmatism and legal liberalism, 1960-1961 A volatile alliance : the marriage of lawyers and demonstrators, 1961-1964 Local people as agents of constitutional change : legal dead ends, the movement against "private" discrimination, and the countermobilization, 1963-1964 "New politics" : law, organizing, and a "movement of movements" in the Southern ghetto, 1965-1967 pt. 3. Questioning Brown : lawyers, courts, and communities in struggle A curious silence : community activism and the legal campaign to implement Brown, 1958-1971 An end to an "annual agony" : the backlash against Brown and busing, 1971-1974 "Bus them to Philadelphia" : a feminist lawyer and poor mothers crusade to redeem Brown, 1972-1980.
In this Bancroft Prize-winning history of the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta from the end of World War II to 1980, Tomiko Brown-Nagin shows that long before "black power" emerged and gave black dissent from the mainstream civil rights agenda a name, African Americans in Atlanta questioned the meaning of equality and the steps necessary to obtain a share of the American dream. This groundbreaking book uncovers the activism of visionaries--both well-known figures and unsung citizens--from across the ideological spectrum who sought something different from, or more complicated than, "integration." Local activists often played leading roles in carrying out the agenda of the NAACP, but some also pursued goals that differed markedly from those of the venerable civil rights organization. Brown-Nagin documents debates over politics, housing, public accommodations, and schools. Exploring the complex interplay between the local and national, between lawyers and communities, between elites and grassroots, and between middle-class and working-class African Americans, Courage to Dissent transforms our understanding of the Civil Rights era.

Winner of the 2012 Bancroft Prize

Offers a history of the civil rights movement in Atlanta from the end of World War II to 1980, arguing the motivations of the movement were much more complicated than simply a desire for integration