The March on Washington

Notes From Me

The book states the following message on language:

Throughout the 1900s, the terms Negro, colored, and black were all used to describe Americans of African descent. You’ll see all of those words used in this book.

Today, Negro and colored can be offensive because they are associated with racial inequality. The term African American wasn’t commonly used until the late 1980s.

Table of Contents

• A March toward Freedom
  • We Are Americans
• Jim Crow Laws
  • A Lasting Memory
• A Movement Begins
  • That’s Not Fair
• Brown and Boycotts
  • Boycott!
• The World Is Watching
  • The Picket Line
• The Children’s Crusade
  • Too Scary to Stay
• Planning the March
  • Important Work
• The People Come and Come and Come
  • Getting to Washington D.C.
• The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
  • A Day to Remember
• Success and Sorrow
  • Melody’s Story Continues
• Epilogue

A March toward Freedom

One August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered at the capital of the United States in Washington D.C. They walked together, some more than 200 miles, singing:

They came to protest the unfair treatment of Black people in the U.S. At that time, segregation was rampant. Black children went to separate schools from White children. Black adults couldn’t freely vote. Black people couldn’t sit with White people on buses or in movie theaters or restaurants. Blacks couldn’t be hired for specific jobs just because of the color of their skin. The marchers wanted the U.S. government to pass laws that would give Black people the same opportunities as White people.

People of all ages, from every part of the country, gathered together to march for equality. Ericka Jenkins was fifteen years old, living in Washington D.C. As she saw the protestors outside her home, she joined them. She marched her way through the neighborhood to the National Monument. People were there standing, laughing, and listening. Children of every size, pregnant women, and elderly people. People of all races marched. They sang together, listened to speeches, and demanded the government take action.

More than 100 years of protests, demonstrations, boycotts, sit-ins, and court cases led to this powerful moment in history.

We Are Americans

Melody Ellison is talking with her grandfather, mother, and sisters. Her grandfather says it’s a shame that colored folks still have to be afraid of standing up or speaking out for themselves. Melody’s mother corrects him, with the word “Negroes.” Yvonne, Melody’s older sister, speaks up and says “Black people.” Lila, Melody’s younger sister asks Yvonne what they’re supposed to call themselves.

Melody knows her grandparents always called them “colored.” That was the proper word when they were growing up in the South. Mommy and Daddy say “Negroes.” But since Yvonne went to college, she’s been saying “Black people.” Melody suggests they call themselves “Americans.” Yvonne nods, they are Americans. And they have the same rights as White Americans. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any separate water fountains, waiting rooms, or public bathrooms. Black Americans deserve equal treatment and equal pay.

Yvonne says the best way to remind White folks of that is to stop shopping at stores that don’t hire Black workers, and picket in front of restaurants that don’t serve Black people. By marching. Melody knows Yvonne stands up for what she believes in. Melody hopes that she can be as brave as her sister.