Civil Rights Movements Archives

The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther

Book — Non-fiction. By Jeffrey Haas. 2019. 400 pages.
The life and murder of Fred Hampton as told by Jeffrey Haas, co-founder of the People’s Law Office and attorney for the plaintiffs in the federal suit Hampton v. Hanrahan.

Civil Rights History from the Ground Up: Local Struggles, a National Movement

Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Emilye Crosby. 2011. 486 pages.
A grassroots history of the Civil Rights Movement.

Teaching Activity by Emilye Crosby

At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance — A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power

Book — Non-fiction. By Danielle L. McGuire. 2010. 352 pages.
History of the violence against African-American women during the 20th century and the role played by Rosa Parks in the organized legal response to that abuse.

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins

Picture book. By Carole Boston Weatherford. 2007. 32 pages.
Historical fiction in an upper elementary picture book about the Greensboro sit-ins.

Freedom Riders

Film. Written, produced, and directed by Stanley Nelson. 2011. 120 minutes.
A first-hand look at the 1961 rides from the Freedom Riders themselves and others who were there.

We Shall Remain (Film) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

We Shall Remain: America Through Native Eyes

Film. PBS. 2009. 450 minutes.
Three hundred years of Native American history.

Students on Strike: Jim Crow, Civil Rights, Brown, and Me

Book — Non-fiction. By John A. Stokes with Lois Wolfe. 2007. 128 pages.
First person description of the student led movement to desegregate schools in Prince Edward County.

Malcolm X Talks to Young People: Speeches in the United States, Britain, and Africa

Book — Non-fiction. By Malcolm X. 2002. 164 pages.
Speeches by Malcolm X, selected for young audiences.

Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin

Film. Produced by Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer. 2002. 83 minutes.
Documentary about the life of peace, labor, and civil rights activist Bayard Rustin.

Soon We Will Not Cry: The Liberation of Ruby Doris Smith Robinson

Book — Non-fiction. By Cynthia Griggs Fleming. 1998. 228 pages.
Biography of Civil Rights Movement activist Ruby Doris Smith Robinson.

Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson

Book — Non-fiction. By Blair L. M. Kelley. 2010. 280 pages.
Examines acts of protest and resistance to segregated trains and streetcars during the early Jim Crow era.

SNCC’s Speech Delivered by John Lewis at the March on Washington

Film clip. Voices of a People's History.
SNCC's original speech to be delivered at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom by John Lewis.

Malcolm X: “Message to the Grass Roots”

Film clip. Voices of a People's History.
Dramatic reading of Malcolm X's "Message to the Grass Roots" (1963) by Mos Def.

Howard Zinn on History

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. Introduction by Staughton Lynd. 2011. 192 pages.
A collection of 27 writings on activism, electoral politics, the Holocaust, Marxism, the Iraq War, and the role of the historian.

The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World

Book — Non-fiction. By John Carlos and Dave Zirin. Foreword by Cornel West. 2011. 220 pages.
Written for grades 7+, this biography of John Carlos recounts his childhood, his legendary act of courage at the '68 Olympics, and the backlash.

Teaching Activity by Dave Zirin

collage of six Black abolitionists in the United States.

‘If There Is No Struggle…’: Teaching a People’s History of the Abolition Movement

Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools. 16 pages.
In this lesson, students explore many of the real challenges faced by abolitionists with a focus on the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Teaching Activity by Bill Bigelow