#APeoplesJourney: From Sit-Ins To Wade-Ins

From lunch counters to bus boycotts, the African American fight for integration and equality touched every aspect of life. What you may not be familiar with is the Civil Rights struggle to integrate America’s pools and beaches. Journey with us as we explore the struggle for summer leisure, and the bravery that secured your right to a day in the sand. Voiced by Sterling K. Brown. #APeoplesJourney

Credits:
“Monson Motor Lodge Swim-In” ©Horace Cort

“Kosciusko Pool” ©Danny Lyon

“Let’s Swim” ©Damon Winter/The New York Times/Redux

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[TW-ujtn]

clean, clear, professional presentation and I LOVE the narrator's voice!

[pcferguson]

Just learned that Dr. Gilbert R. Mason, Sr. who began the movement to integrate America's beaches in Biloxi Ms, was the Father-in law of a colleague, Givonna Joseph in New Orleans. She provided us with more details of this history from The Smithsonian:

Before African Americans had the right to freely enjoy a day on the sand, many of America’s beaches were open to whites only. Dr. Gilbert Mason, a black Howard educated physician, led the charge to integrate the 26-mile shoreline of Biloxi, Mississippi in what is known as the “Biloxi Wade-Ins.”

On May 14, 1959, Mason persuaded nine people to join him for the first Biloxi wade-in. Though they were forcibly removed by police officers, Mason returned in 1960 on Easter Sunday to stage another wade-in. The only person in attendance, his Easter arrest inspired over 125 African Americans to join him on April 24, 1960 for a peaceful wade-in. Equipped with only food, beach umbrellas, and footballs, the peaceful protestors were met with violence by white mobs equipped with chains, tire irons, and other weapons.

The violence of what would be known as “Bloody Sunday” continued into the night, and soon after, a Biloxi NAACP chapter was formed with Mason as President. Medgar Evers, a supporter of the Biloxi wade-ins, inspired the final wade-in, which took place following his 1963 assassination. It took another five years before Biloxi’s shoreline would be integrated.

[jasontinajenkins]

Thanks for sharing. I had never heard about these "wade-ins" before. Visited the museum recently with my family and it was a breathtaking experience. We will definitely return.

[ninastone]

If we were easy to break, we would have broke a long time ago. Remember this world! We would have broke a long time ago. Keep on pushing

[letstalkaboutitntgj]

Yet still black people so relaxed nowadays. Like just take whatever! People died so we could be comfortable today