Birmingham 1963: How a Photograph Rallied Civil Rights Support

by Shelley Tougas

Overview

In May 1963 news photographer Charles Moore was on hand to document the Children’s Crusade, a civil rights protest. But the photographs he took that day did more than document an event; they helped change history. His photograph of a trio of African-American teenagers being slammed against a building by a blast of water from a fire hose was especially powerful. The image of this brutal treatment turned Americans into witnesses at a time when hate and prejudice were on trial. It helped rally the civil rights movement and energized the public, making civil rights a national problem needing a national solution. And it paved the way for Congress to finally pass laws to give citizens equal rights regardless of the color of their skin.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756543983
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	12/01/2010
Series:	Captured History Series
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	10.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	980L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Shelley Tougas worked in journalism and public relations before writing children’s books. She is the author of Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration, which was among Booklist’s 2011 Top Ten Editors’ Choices. Shelley lives, writes, and reads in North Mankato, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

The children march — The growth of conscience — Rallying the nation — The struggle continues.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6 Up—Occasionally, a single photograph becomes the emblematic image that defines an era, and this quality series tells the stories of four of those iconic pictures. Each book places its subject photo in historical context, profiles the photographer, describes the conditions under which it was taken, and analyzes both its immediate and its continuing impact. The texts include ample background information and details and are enhanced by large photos and sidebars. These books will help students understand the influence of the individual images and the eras they epitomize, making them strong choices.

School Library Journal

Top 10 Continuing Series! The stunning books in this series view history through the lens of groundbreaking photographs, zooming in on iconic moments and then placing them in greater historical context. Look for series subsets in world history and sports, too.

Booklist

In a creative and engaging exploration of history, this Captured History series uses an iconic photograph in each volume to introduce the reader to a significant event, the photographer, and the object of the photograph. Birmingham 1963 centers on the controversial Children’s Crusade, which organized African American children for nonviolent protest. Tougas points out that civil rights leaders needed controversy to bring attention to their cause, and Charles Moore’s photograph of teenagers being assaulted with fire hoses effectively pressured the repressive white Birmingham establishment. With his pictures, Moore, who originally wanted to cover the world’s beauty, became a protester himself, and like Burgan, Tougas explains the details that give the picture its power. Each volume in this series is a motivating introduction to the period it describes, and the photograph analysis makes this series a valuable source for team teachers of social studies and language arts. The easy-to-read format and many pictures will appeal to the browsing reader as well as the assigned researcher. In addition to its many study aids, the series provides www.facthound.com for additional information. (Captured History) VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12).

VOYA

This series shows how a single photograph defined a historical moment. Each book is devoted to one photo that not only caught history, but introduces the student to the background and consequences of the time period. In Migrant Mother the photo is by Dorothea Lange, and in Birmingham 1963 the photo is the famous shot by Charles Moore of 14-year old Carolyn Maull and two other students being brutalized by high powered fire hoses as they peacefully marched to protest segregation. Both of these photos gave an important social problem a human face, and distill a compelling moment. I found the books a powerful way to introduce students to important issues. Since the Birmingham photo was taken as documentation for the Children’s Crusade, I think students will find it particularly easy to identify with. Recommended.

Library Media Connection

With insightful, historical media analysis, Tougas tells the story behind one of LIFE Magazine’s “Great Pictures of the Century.” . . . .would be excellent studies for individual or group presentations in a US history or social studies class, shedding light on some lesser known events in the timeline of the Civil Rights Movement.

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