The Student Strike that Revolutionized American Education

Summary

On April 23, 1951, Barbara Johns led a student strike at Moton High School in Prince Edward County, Virginia, protesting overcrowded, segregated schools with inadequate resources. Inspired by the tragic bus accident that killed some of her classmates, Barbara and her peers organized the protest, which later became part of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case. Despite facing resistance, including school closures from 1959 to 1964, the strike paved the way for the desegregation of public schools. Barbara's courage and leadership made a lasting impact on education and civil rights in America.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1951 student strike in Prince Edward County, led by Barbara Johns, aimed to address the overcrowded, segregated, and inadequate facilities in black schools.
• 😀 Students at Moton High School faced severe conditions, including hand-me-down books with derogatory remarks and second-hand buses.
• 😀 The strike resulted in the Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward case, one of five cases that led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954.
• 😀 The tragic school bus accident in 1951, which killed Moton students, motivated Barbara Johns and her classmates to demand change.
• 😀 Barbara Johns, at just 16 years old, inspired her classmates to go on strike, even organizing secretly to ensure the protest was successful.
• 😀 Reverend L. Francis Griffin, a local pastor and civil rights leader, helped advise the students and encouraged community support for the strike and subsequent legal efforts.
• 😀 Despite initial legal setbacks, the case eventually joined others at the Supreme Court, where it contributed to the decision that segregation in public education was unconstitutional.
• 😀 After the Brown v. Board decision, the struggle continued, as the Prince Edward County schools were closed from 1959 to 1964 due to 'massive resistance' to desegregation.
• 😀 Many students went without formal education for up to five years during this period, with some working on farms instead.
• 😀 Barbara Johns carried the weight of responsibility for those who missed education, but she believed that her actions were necessary to bring about change, and she would do it again.
• 😀 The Griffin v. County School Board case in 1964 led to the reopening of public schools in Prince Edward County, further reinforcing the legal precedent set by Brown v. Board of Education.

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of the student-led strike in Prince Edward County?

The student-led strike in Prince Edward County began on April 23, 1951, led by Barbara Johns and her fellow students, protesting the segregated and inadequate schooling conditions.

Why did Barbara Johns and other students feel compelled to strike?

Barbara Johns and the other students were frustrated by the overcrowded, segregated, and inadequate conditions in their schools. They had to travel long distances to attend school and faced inferior resources compared to white schools.

What role did Barbara Johns' best friend's death play in the strike?

Barbara Johns' best friend was one of the students killed in a tragic bus accident just a month before the strike. This loss further fueled Barbara's desire to fight for better educational conditions and contributed to her decision to take action.

How did Barbara Johns convince her peers to participate in the strike?

Barbara Johns used her persuasive personality to rally her peers. She secretly organized meetings, including one on the football field, and inspired students by addressing them in the auditorium, where she called for a strike to demand better conditions.

What was the significance of the strike in terms of legal impact?

The strike resulted in the Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward case, which eventually became one of the five cases that contributed to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

What challenges did Barbara Johns face after the strike?

After the strike, Barbara Johns faced threats to her safety, and to protect her, she was sent to Montgomery, Alabama, to live with her uncle. She also had to endure the emotional toll of seeing her actions lead to the closure of schools in her community.

How did the community respond to Barbara Johns' leadership during the strike?

The community, initially unsure, ultimately supported Barbara's efforts. Local leaders, including Reverend Griffin, encouraged parents and the NAACP to back the students' legal actions, leading to widespread support for the cause.

What happened to the students of Prince Edward County after the strike?

After the strike, schools in Prince Edward County were closed for five years (1959-1964) as a form of resistance to integration. During this period, many students, including Barbara Johns' cousins, missed formal public education and worked on farms.

How did the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education relate to the strike?

The Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward case, stemming from the strike, was one of the five cases that were combined under the name Brown v. Board of Education. This Supreme Court decision declared that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

What was the long-term impact of the strike on public education in Prince Edward County?

The strike and subsequent court cases helped to reopen public schools in Prince Edward County after they had been closed for five years. It also set a precedent that prevented other counties from using similar tactics to block integration, ultimately preserving public education for all children.