Can Kids Change the World? | The Civil Rights Movement

Scholastic
7 Feb 202106:55
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn 1958, 7-year-old Ayanna Najuma and other African-American children from Oklahoma experienced a culture shock in New York City, where segregation did not exist. Inspired, they returned home determined to fight against racial discrimination in their own community. With the guidance of adults, they learned non-violence and the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and initiated sit-ins at whites-only restaurants. Despite facing hostility and resistance, their peaceful protests led to the integration of the first restaurant and eventually transformed their city, proving that even the youngest voices can bring about significant change.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 The story begins in 1958 with a trip that exposed African-American children to the stark differences in racial segregation between the North and the South of the United States.
  • 👧 Ayanna Najuma, a 7-year-old girl, was part of a group of 20 children who visited New York City and noticed the lack of segregation there compared to their home in Oklahoma.
  • 🔍 The children observed that in New York, people of different races could use the same facilities and eat together, which was a stark contrast to the 'whites only' signs they were used to seeing in the South.
  • 🤔 Upon returning home, the children questioned the fairness of their community's segregation and recognized the inequality in rights between white and African-American people.
  • 🛠 They devised a plan to challenge the segregation in restaurants, understanding the potential dangers and resistance they might face.
  • 🧑‍🏫 The children underwent training with African-American adults, learning about non-violence and the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • 🌟 The training prepared them for the unkind behavior of others, teaching them to remain calm and peaceful even when provoked.
  • 🍔 The first sit-in took place at Cat's Lunch Counter, a whites-only restaurant, where the children politely requested service and endured harassment without reacting aggressively.
  • 🏆 After three days of persistent and peaceful protest, the children were served, marking the integration of the restaurant and a victory for their cause.
  • 📚 Ayanna learned that even as a child, her voice mattered and could effect change, emphasizing the power of individual contributions to social justice.
  • 🔄 Over six years, the children continued their sit-ins, gradually integrating more restaurants in their town and demonstrating the impact a small group can have on a community.
Q & A

  • What year did Ayanna Najuma and her friends take a trip to New York City?

    -The trip to New York City took place in 1958.

  • How old was Ayanna Najuma during the trip to New York City?

    -Ayanna Najuma was 7 years old during the trip.

  • What did the children notice about New York City that was different from their home in the South?

    -The children noticed that in New York City, white people and African-American people could use the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, and even sleep next to each other in hotels, which was not the case in the segregated South.

  • What was the situation in Oklahoma City where the children lived?

    -In Oklahoma City, there was segregation where African-American people and white people were kept apart. Water fountains had signs that said 'whites only', and African-American kids and white kids couldn't go to school together or eat in the same restaurants.

  • What did the children decide to change in their community after returning from New York City?

    -The children decided to change the segregation in their community, specifically the restaurants, so that African-American people were allowed to eat in them.

  • What is a sit-in and how did the children plan to use it?

    -A sit-in is a peaceful protest where participants sit in a place and ask to be served until they are served. The children planned to use sit-ins to integrate restaurants by not leaving until they were served.

  • What training did the children receive from a group of African-American adults before their first sit-in?

    -The children were trained in non-violence and learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They were prepared for unkind behavior from others and taught to stay calm and peaceful.

  • What was the name of the restaurant where the children's first sit-in took place?

    -The children's first sit-in took place at the Cat's Lunch Counter, a whites-only restaurant.

  • How did the children handle the negative reactions from other customers during their sit-ins?

    -The children handled the negative reactions by staying calm, not yelling back, and continuing to sit quietly and talk with each other. They brought magazines and coloring books to help pass the time.

  • What was the outcome of the children's sit-in at the Cat's Lunch Counter?

    -On the third day of the sit-in, the waitress brought food to the children. From that day on, the Cat's Lunch Counter was integrated, allowing anyone to eat there.

  • What did Ayanna learn from her experience in the sit-ins and how did it affect her perspective?

    -Ayanna learned that even though she was little, her voice was just as important as everyone else's. This experience showed her the power of collective action and the importance of standing up for what is right.

  • How did the children continue their efforts to integrate restaurants in their community?

    -Over the next six years, the children did sit-ins at many restaurants, with more kids joining each time. They faced various challenges, such as workers taking away all the chairs, but they found ways to continue their peaceful protests.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 Segregation and the Awakening of Young Activists

In 1958, a group of African-American children from Oklahoma, including 7-year-old Ayanna Najuma, visited New York City and were struck by the stark contrast in racial segregation between the North and South. They observed that in New York, people of different races could use the same facilities and dine together, unlike in their hometown. This revelation sparked a desire to change the discriminatory practices they experienced back home. Upon returning, they recognized the injustice of segregation and decided to challenge it, particularly focusing on integrating restaurants. They underwent training with African-American adults to learn about non-violence and the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., preparing themselves to face hostility and maintain composure during peaceful protests.

05:00
🚀 The Courageous Sit-In Movement Initiated by Children

Emboldened by their training and the belief in their cause, the children initiated a sit-in at the Cat's Lunch Counter, a whites-only restaurant. Despite facing refusal of service and verbal abuse from other customers, they remained calm and orderly, even bringing magazines and coloring books to pass the time. Their persistence paid off on the third day when they were finally served, marking the beginning of the end for segregation at the restaurant. This success inspired them to continue their efforts, integrating more restaurants over the next six years. The children's actions demonstrated that even the youngest voices could have a significant impact on their community, leading to lasting change and a more inclusive society.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Segregation
Segregation refers to the practice of separating people based on race, color, or ethnicity, often enforced by law or social norms. In the video, it is the main issue that the children in Oklahoma face, as African American and white people are kept apart in various aspects of public life, such as using water fountains and attending schools. The script mentions 'water fountains had signs that said, whites only,' illustrating the stark reality of segregation at the time.
💡Ayanna Najuma
Ayanna Najuma is the central character in the video, a young African American girl who, at the age of 7, is pivotal in challenging the status quo of segregation. Her name and story personalize the narrative, showing that even children can be agents of change. The script describes her experience in New York City and her subsequent actions in Oklahoma, highlighting her bravery and determination.
💡Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was a struggle for social justice and equality for African Americans in the United States, which took place mainly during the 1950s and 1960s. The video's theme is deeply connected to this movement, as it portrays the efforts of children to end segregation. The script mentions 'non-violence' and 'Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,' who were central to the movement's philosophy and leadership.
💡Sit-in
A sit-in is a form of peaceful protest where demonstrators occupy an area, often a place of business, and refuse to leave until their demands are met. In the script, the children plan a sit-in at a whites-only restaurant to protest racial discrimination and to demand service, which is a key event illustrating their commitment to non-violent resistance.
💡Non-violence
Non-violence is a principle and strategy for social change that rejects the use of violence and seeks to achieve goals through peaceful means. The script emphasizes the importance of non-violence in the children's training, where they are taught to remain calm and peaceful even in the face of hostility, as exemplified by the adults yelling at them and throwing water.
💡Integration
Integration refers to the process of bringing together different racial or social groups to live or work in a community or institution. The video's narrative revolves around the children's efforts to integrate restaurants in their town, making them accessible to all races. The script describes the successful integration of the Cat's Lunch Counter, marking a victory for the children.
💡Discrimination
Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. The video script highlights the discrimination faced by African American children in the South, where they were denied access to public facilities and services designated for white people only.
💡Bravery
Bravery is the quality of being courageous and daring, especially in the face of danger or difficulty. The children in the video are described as brave for their willingness to challenge the established order of segregation, even though it was dangerous and met with resistance, as shown by the customers yelling at them and pouring condiments on them.
💡Community
Community refers to a group of people living in the same place or having particular characteristics in common. The script emphasizes the impact of the children's actions on their local community, as they work to change discriminatory practices and make their town more inclusive for everyone.
💡Voice
In the context of the video, 'voice' symbolizes the power of expression and the right to be heard. Ayanna learns that despite her young age, her voice is as important as anyone else's in advocating for change. The script conveys the message that everyone's voice matters in the pursuit of justice and equality.
💡Persistence
Persistence is the continued firm or obstinate pursuit of a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. The children in the video demonstrate persistence through their repeated sit-ins at various restaurants, undeterred by the challenges they face, such as the removal of chairs or denial of bathroom access.
Highlights

In 1958, a group of African-American children from Oklahoma visited New York City and noticed the stark differences in racial segregation between the two regions.

The children observed that in New York, white and African-American people could use the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, and stay in the same hotels, unlike in the South.

Ayanna Najuma and her peers were shocked by the segregation they experienced back in Oklahoma, where 'Whites Only' signs were common.

The children decided to challenge the unfair segregation in their community, particularly focusing on integrating restaurants.

They planned a sit-in, a peaceful protest where they would remain seated in a restaurant until served, as a means to fight against racial discrimination.

The children underwent training with African-American adults to learn about non-violence and the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

During training, the children were exposed to verbal abuse and had to practice remaining calm and peaceful under pressure.

Ayanna and about 12 other children participated in their first sit-in at the Cat's Lunch Counter, a whites-only restaurant.

Despite facing refusal of service and hostility from other customers, the children maintained their composure and did not retaliate.

On the third day of their sit-in, the waitress finally served the children, marking the beginning of the integration of the Cat's Lunch Counter.

Ayanna learned that even as a child, her voice was as important as anyone else's in advocating for change.

Over the next six years, the children continued their sit-ins, gradually integrating more restaurants in their community.

Restaurant owners tried various tactics to deter the children, such as removing chairs, but the children adapted and continued their peaceful protests.

Ayanna's younger sister Lana demonstrated creativity by leaning on the table when chairs were removed, showing the children's determination.

The children faced additional challenges, such as being denied bathroom access, but they persisted in their efforts to integrate restaurants.

The story of these children highlights the power of collective action and the significant impact that even a small group can have on societal change.

Their efforts led to a more inclusive community, proving that even the voices of the young can be loud and influential.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Civil RightsSegregationAfrican-AmericanSit-In MovementCommunity ChangeNon-ViolenceHistorical EventYouth Activism1950s AmericaSocial JusticeIntegration