“You could write the entire story of civil rights by going back to the history of St. Louis.” – Judge Nathan B. Young
In a 1964 editorial, the St. Louis American co-founder proclaimed that blueprint for the civil rights struggle can be found within our city.
His words were the inspiration and anchor for the Missouri History Museum exhibition #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis. The 6,000-square foot exhibition – which is currently on display – opened in March of this year and reveals the often-untold story of St. Louis’ leading role in the struggle for racial justice.
It’s only fitting that the same quote opens Melanie A. Adams and Amanda E. Doyle’s “Standing Up For Civil Rights in St. Louis.” The book is an abbreviated literary companion for young readers who visit the exhibition – and introduces them to the national impact that the battle for civil rights being fought in St. Louis.
“Local people and events that happened here changed the daily lives of all Americans,” Adams and Doyle said in the book’s introduction. “These changes started even before Missouri was a state! And they are still happening today.”
The 75-page book stretches from the Missouri Compromise to the unrest in Ferguson with a plain tone that is non-intimidating and easy to digest and allows readers to relate with ease.
Adams and Doyle will discuss the content of the book with youth and adults in two separate talks at The History Museum. Saturday afternoon (Nov. 18) will cater to young people. Tuesday evening’s event will be geared towards adults.
“Standing Up For Civil Rights in St. Louis,” features four U.S. Supreme Court Cases with St. Louis roots that fought for individual freedom as well as equal education and housing rights – Scott V. Sandford (1856), Gaines V. Canada (1938), Shelley V. Kraemer (1947) and Jones V. Alfred H. Mayer Co. (1968).
The book also provides some of the lesser known civil rights heroes of St. Louis. Among them are John and Mary Meachum, Lincoln University co-founders Charlton Tandy and Moses Dickson, Rev. George Stevens, James Milton Turner, Henry Winfield Wheeler and Percy Green.
“You’ll meet brave men and women who spoke out and fought back. You may already know some of their names,” Adams and Doyle said. “Take a good look at your school, post office, or a park or playground you like. There’s a good chance that place was named after a local civil rights activist, like Marian Oldham, Norman Say or James Milton Turner.”
The book also gives a nod to Judge Young, who ran The American’s editorial page for more than four decades. His editorials often included civil rights struggles taking place in the region and abroad.
Just like the exhibition, the book closes by touching upon the community’s response to the death of unarmed teen Michael Brown by former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014.
“Was Ferguson the start of a new civil rights movement? Or will it become an overlooked moment? The answer remains to be seen.”
Discussions for Adams and Doyle’s “Standing Up for Civil Rights in St. Louis” will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 (for youth) and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 (adults) at The Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.
