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1954–1968 American civil rights movement in popular culture
The history of the 1954 to 1968 American
civil rights movement has been depicted and documented in film, song, theater, television, and the visual arts. These presentations add to and maintain cultural awareness and understanding of the goals, tactics, and accomplishments of the people who organized and participated in this
nonviolent movement.
Film
Documentaries
Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment (1963), first-hand journalistic reporting of the
University of Alabama "
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door " integration crisis of June 1963.
Nine from Little Rock (1964), about the
Little Rock Nine who enrolled in an all-white Arkansas high school in 1957.
The March (1964), about the 1963
March on Washington , was made for the
United States Information Agency .
Louisiana Diary (1964) follows the
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) from July to August 1963, as they undertake an African American voter registration drive in
Plaquemine, Louisiana .
Cicero March (1966), details a civil rights march held by the
Congress of Racial Equality on September 4, 1966, in
Cicero, Illinois , soon after the 1966
Chicago open housing movement ended.
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970)
Malcolm X (1972), based on
The Autobiography of Malcolm X .
Freedom on My Mind (1994), documents efforts to register
African-American voters in
Mississippi ,
Freedom Summer , and the formation of the
Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party .
A Time for Justice (1994), a short history of the civil rights movement narrated by
Julian Bond .
4 Little Girls (1997), focusing on the 1963 events surrounding
the bombing of the
16th Street Baptist Church just after the
Birmingham campaign .
Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks (2002), created with archival footage
February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four (2003), documents the 1960
Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins and the four college students involved.
The Murder of Emmett Till (2003) about the murder and the impact of
Emmett Till 's open-casket funeral.
Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin (2003), about the life of civil rights organizer
Bayard Rustin .
[1]
Home of the Brave (2004), documents the life and murder of
Viola Liuzzo which occurred just after her participation in the 1965
Selma to Montgomery march .
Mighty Times: The Children's March (2004) about the 1963
Birmingham campaign and its marches by schoolchildren.
Dare Not Walk Alone (2006) focuses on the 1964
St. Augustine movement .
Mississippi Cold Case (2007), chronicles the
Ku Klux Klan murders of two young black men in Mississippi in 1964 during
Freedom Summer , and the 21st-century quest for justice by the brother of one of those murdered.
Colored Frames (2007), art within the civil rights movement.
The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306 (2008), details the events surrounding the
assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the
Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
Neshoba (2008), chronicles the events and thinking in
Neshoba County, Mississippi , 40 years after the 1964
murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner .
Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009), focuses on some of the songs sung during the civil rights movement.
Crossing in St. Augustine (2010), produced by
Andrew Young , who participated in the civil rights movement in St. Augustine in 1964.
The Barber of Birmingham (2011), about James Armstrong, a voting rights activist and an original flag bearer for the 1965
Selma to Montgomery marches .
Julian Bond: Reflections from the Frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement (2012), on the life and thoughts of activist
Julian Bond .
The March (2013), documents the 1963
March on Washington and the "
I Have a Dream " speech by King.
Freedom Summer (2014), documents the events of the 1964
Mississippi Freedom Summer movement.
In the Hour of Chaos (2016), film about
Martin Luther King Sr.
I Am Not Your Negro (2016),
James Baldwin 's reminiscences of civil rights movement participants.
King in the Wilderness (2018), focuses on the last two years of Dr. King's life.
John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020), on the life of activist, SNCC leader, and congressman
John Lewis .
MLK/FBI (2020), an account of the FBI's investigation and harassment of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dramatizations
Mississippi Burning (1988), about the 1964
murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner in
Mississippi .
Hairspray (1988,
2007 remake) , features a major subplot about civil rights movement era demonstrations against racial segregation in
Baltimore , Maryland.
The Long Walk Home (1990), portrays a woman who is boycotting city buses during the 1955-1956
Montgomery bus boycott .
Malcolm X (1992), a biopic focused on the life and assassination of
Malcolm X .
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), an account of the assassination of Mississippi activist
Medgar Evers and the subsequent investigation.
Ruby Bridges (1998), is based on the true story of
Ruby Bridges , a six-year-old girl who integrated
William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1960.
Selma, Lord, Selma (1999), follows the life of 11-year-old
Sheyann Webb during the events leading up to the 1965
Selma to Montgomery march and its "Bloody Sunday".
Our Friend, Martin (1999), fictionalized animated time-travel film which depicts Martin Luther King Jr. at several key points during the civil rights movement.
Boycott (2001), depicts some of the events of the 1955-56
Montgomery bus boycott .
The Rosa Parks Story (2002), the life of the key figure in the Montgomery bus boycott.
The Butler (2013), a scene depicts a civil rights movement training session conducted during the
Nashville Student Movement by
James Lawson and other civil rights movement events.
Selma (2014), focusing on the events leading up to, during, and after the 1965
Selma to Montgomery marches , including the 1965
Voting Rights Act .
All the Way (2016), focusing on
Lyndon B. Johnson 's successful attempt to pass the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 .
An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win (2016), depicts the racism faced by a young fictional character in her home town of Detroit during the events leading up to the
16th Street Baptist Church bombing , the film honors the four children killed in the bombing during the end credits.
My Nephew Emmett (2017), about the 1955 murder of
Emmett Till
Son of the South (2020), focuses on the life of SNCC activist
Bob Zellner .
Till (2022), based on the true story of
Mamie Till-Bradley , an educator and activist who pursued justice after the murder of her 14-year-old son
Emmett .
Rustin (2023), film about movement leader
Bayard Rustin .
Television
Summer in Mississippi (1965), a Canadian documentary short
Attack on Terror: The FBI vs. the Ku Klux Klan (1975) two-part
television movie dramatizing the events following the 1964 disappearance and murder of three
civil rights workers in
Mississippi .
King (1978 miniseries) about
Southern Christian Leadership Conference chairman and movement spokesman,
Martin Luther King Jr.
Crisis at Central High (1981),
made-for-television movie about the
Little Rock Integration Crisis of 1957 .
For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story (1983),
PBS
biopic about assassinated Mississippi civil rights activist
Medgar Evers , his work, and his family.
Eyes on the Prize (1987-1990), a 14-hour documentary series chronicling the civil rights movement.
My Past Is My Own (1989), a portrayal of students organizing an early 1960s civil rights movement
sit-in .
Murder in Mississippi (1990) movie following the last weeks of three civil rights workers,
Michael "Mickey" Schwerner ,
Andrew Goodman and
James Chaney , and the events leading up to
their disappearance and subsequent murder during
Freedom Summer .
Separate But Equal (1991), depicts the landmark
Supreme Court
desegregation case
Brown v. Board of Education , based on the phrase "
Separate but equal ".
The Ernest Green Story (1993), film chronicling the true story of
Ernest Green (
Morris Chestnut ) and eight other high-school students (dubbed the "
Little Rock Nine ") and the 1957 integration of
Little Rock Central High School in
Little Rock, Arkansas .
George Wallace (1997), a film about
George Wallace , the Alabama governor, and his involvement in many of the events of the era including the 1963 "
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door ".
Ruby Bridges (1998), the true story of six-year-old
Ruby Bridges who, in 1960, became the first black student to integrate an elementary school in the South.
Any Day Now (1998-2002), series with a major subplot involving the
Birmingham campaign .
Freedom Song (2000), a film based on true stories of the civil rights movement in
Mississippi , involving voting rights,
Freedom Summer , and the
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Sins of the Father (2002) chronicles the 1963
16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, in which four young African American girls were killed while attending Sunday school.
Alpha Man: The Brotherhood of MLK (2011), BET documentary details Martin Luther King Jr.'s college years and fraternity.
Freedom Riders (2011), a
PBS film marking the 50th anniversary of the first
Freedom Ride in May, 1961.
Betty & Coretta (2013), a film focused on
Betty Shabazz and
Coretta Scott King .
Hairspray Live! (2016), a presentation of the
John Waters musical about a fictional Baltimore desegregation of a television dance program.
Rosa (Doctor Who ) (2018), an episode of the popular science-fiction series depicts
Rosa Parks and her 1955 sit-in which began the
Montgomery bus boycott .
The Umbrella Academy (2020), a time-travel science-fiction series, set its
second season in 1963 and depicted a diner sit-in in the season's third episode.
Women of the Movement (2022), six-episode series about
Mamie Till and her son
Emmett .
Music
Sung during the civil rights movement
"
We Shall Overcome ",
gospel -based song that became an anthem for the civil rights movement.
"
Kum ba yah " ("Come by here"), an
African American
spiritual song of disputed origin sung during the movement.
"
We Shall Not Be Moved ",
spiritual -based song often sung during the civil rights movement.
"
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize ", sung during the Movement actions, based on the traditional folk song "
Gospel Plow ".
"
Oh, Freedom ", a post-Civil War African-American freedom song, popular during the Civil Rights Movement.
"
This Little Light of Mine ", originally a hymn, the lyrics were modified as it became a movement anthem.
"
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round ", movement song adapted from a spiritual.
"
If You Miss Me at the Back of the Bus " by
Charles Neblett , a founder and member of
The Freedom Singers
"
Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind Stayed On Freedom) ", gospel based 1961 revamp by Robert Wesby, composed during the
Freedom Rides .
[2]
About the civil rights movement
"
Fables of Faubus " (1957),
Charles Mingus 's jazz composition written and performed in response to the
Little Rock Nine incident
"
The Death of Emmett Till " (1962), one of several songs Bob Dylan paid tribute to civil rights; this one a reference to the
Murder of Emmett Till
"
Oxford Town " (1962), written and sung by
Bob Dylan , pertains to
James Meredith 's enrollment at the University of Mississippi.
"
Alabama " (1963),
John Coltrane 's jazz composition response to a 1963
church bombing that killed four young girls .
"
A Change Is Gonna Come " (1964), written and sung by
Sam Cooke , became an anthem for the civil rights movement.
"
Birmingham Sunday " (1964),
Richard Fariña 's response to the Birmingham church bombing recorded by
Joan Baez , Fariña's sister-in-law, on her 1964 album
Joan Baez/5 .
"
Mississippi Goddamn " (1964),
Nina Simone 's response to the murder of
Medgar Evers .
"
Only a Pawn in Their Game " (1964),
Bob Dylan 's response to the murder of Medgar Evers, which he sang at the 1963
March on Washington
"
Keep on Pushing " (1964),
rhythm and blues hit single by
The Impressions .
"
Here's to the State of Mississippi ", (1965) a protest song by
Phil Ochs that criticizes the state of
Mississippi for its mistreatment of
African Americans .
"
Eve of Destruction " (1965) references the
Selma to Montgomery marches .
"
Abraham, Martin and John " (1968), a tribute to
Abraham Lincoln , Martin Luther King Jr,
John F. Kennedy , and
Robert F. Kennedy written by
Dick Holler and first recorded by
Dion .
"
If I Can Dream " (1968), recorded by
Elvis Presley in honor of King soon after King's death.
Scenes from the Life of a Martyr (1981), a 16-part
oratorio composed by
Undine Smith Moore in memory of King.
"
MLK " (1984) by
U2 , a
lullaby to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.
"
Pride (In the Name of Love) " (1984) a song about King by U2
Joseph Schwantner: New Morning for the World; Nicolas Flagello: The Passion of Martin Luther King (1995), an album of classical music by the
Oregon Symphony in honor of King.
"
Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) " (2006),
Patty Griffin 's song about the emotions surrounding King's 1968
I've Been to the Mountaintop speech.
"
A Dream " (2006), by
Common for the film
Freedom Writers , uses King's "
I Have a Dream " speech
"
Glory " (2014), by
Common and
John Legend for the film
Selma , won both the
Golden Globe and
Academy Award for Best Original Song .
"
Mother of Muses " (2020) by
Bob Dylan refers to the military defeats of the
Confederate States of America and
Nazism as "(carving) out the path for
Martin Luther King ".
[3]
Theater
Graphic non-fiction
Art
Rosa Parks by
Eugene Daub (2013), in
National Statuary Hall , United States Capitol
The Problem We All Live With (1964), a painting by
Norman Rockwell depicting
Ruby Bridges , the six-year-old
African-American girl who, in 1960, was the first to desegregate
William Frantz Elementary School in the South during the
New Orleans school desegregation crisis .
Murder in Mississippi (1965), a painting and an important sketch by
Norman Rockwell depicting the 1964 murders of civil rights activists
James Chaney ,
Andrew Goodman and
Michael Schwerner .
Bust of Martin Luther King Jr. (1970), by
Charles Alston , has been featured in the
Oval Office of the
White House by the
Obama and
Trump presidential administrations.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Prophet for Peace (1976), a statue of King and Emmett Till in Pueblo, Colorado, by Ed Rose
U.S. Capitol Rotunda sculpture (1986), a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. by
John Woodrow Wilson
Civil Rights Memorial (1989), a
memorial fountain in
Montgomery, Alabama , designed by
Maya Lin dedicated to 41 people who died in the civil rights movement.
Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. (1993), in Mexico City.
Landmark for Peace Memorial (1994), a statue honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in Indianapolis, Indiana, by Greg Perry and
Daniel Edwards .
Homage to King (1996), statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, by Xavier Medina Campeny.
The Bridge (1997), sculpture in Atlanta, Georgia, by
Thornton Dial honoring civil rights movement activist and SNCC leader
John Lewis
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1998), a statue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by Eric Blome.
The Dream (1998), a sculpture honoring Martin Luther King Jr. in Portland, Oregon, by Michael Florin Dente.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1999), a statue in Austin, Texas, by Jeffrey Varilla and Anna Koh-Varilla.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (2000), a bust and accompanying bas reliefs by Jonathan Shahn in Jersey City, New Jersey.
February One (2002), a statue by
James Barnhill in
Greensboro, North Carolina , commemorating the four students who organized the 1960
Greensboro sit-ins .
Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. (2002), in Denver Colorado, by
Ed Dwight , also features depictions of activists
Frederick Douglass ,
Mohandas Gandhi ,
Rosa Parks , and
Sojourner Truth .
Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. (2007) in Houston, Texas, by
Ed Dwight .
The
Virginia Civil Rights Memorial (2008), designed and sculpted by
Stanley Bleifeld , consists of 18 statues representing individuals, including student
Barbara Johns , who protested to bring school desegregation to the state.
Statue of Rosa Parks (2009), a statue in
Eugene, Oregon , portrays activist
Rose Parks waiting for a bus.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (2011), showcases the Stone of Hope , a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. by
Lei Yixin , and several surrounding art pieces and quotations on the
National Mall in Washington, D.C.
St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Monument (2011), by Brian R. Owens, commemorates the activists who participated in the 1963-64
St. Augustine movement .
Emmett Till: How She Sent Him and How She Got Him Back (2012), a painting by Lisa Whittington depicting the results of the 1955 lynching of
Emmett Till
Rosa Parks (2013), statue in
National Statuary Hall , Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
Statues of Martin Luther King Jr. (2015, 2021), two statues of Dr. King by Thomas Jay Warren in Newark, New Jersey
Open Casket (2016), a painting by
Dana Schutz depicting
Emmett Till after his 1955 lynching.
Martin Luther King Jr. statue (2017), designed by Martin Dawe from a photograph from the
Montgomery bus boycott , Atlanta, Georgia
Continuing the Conversation (2018), a double-statue of
Rosa Parks by Martin Dawe, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia
Hope Moving Forward (2021), a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgis, designed by
Basil Watson
The Embrace (2023), statue of Martin and Coretta King hugging, by
Hank Willis Thomas , Boston
Holidays
See also
References
External links
Events (
timeline )
Prior to 1954 1954–1959 1960–1963 1964–1968
Activist groups Activists By region Movement songs Influences Related Legacy Noted historians
Speeches, writings, movements, and protests
Media
Film Television Plays Illustrated Music Related
Related topics
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
National Historical Park
King Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
National Civil Rights Museum
Big Six
African American founding fathers of the United States
Authorship issues
FBI–King suicide letter
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
Season for Nonviolence
U.S. Capitol Rotunda sculpture
Oval Office bust
Homage to King sculpture, Atlanta
Hope Moving Forward statue, Atlanta
Safe House Black History Museum
Statues of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, San Francisco
Landmark for Peace Memorial , Indianapolis
The Dream sculpture, Portland, Oregon
Kennedy–King College
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, San Jose
Paris park
Memorials to Martin Luther King Jr.
King County, Washington
Eponymous streets
America in the King Years
Civil rights movement in popular culture
Lee–Jackson–King Day