Anti-Civil Rights ephemera collection, 1945-1971 and undated

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Summary

Abstract:
Assorted racist flyers, printed materials, and some manuscript ephemera produced by groups, particularly white supremacist and states' rights groups, intent on opposing civil rights legislation and desegregation efforts in the Southern United States.
Extent:
0.2 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.11224

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains assorted printed materials and some manuscript ephemera produced by groups, particularly states' rights groups, intent on opposing civil rights legislation and desegregation efforts in the Southern United States in the 1960s. Materials date from 1945 through 1971; the bulk of the items are from the 1960s, with some materials undated. Geographically, the collection is centered on Birmingham, Alabama, with some materials from Georgia and other regions in Alabama.

Items have been loosely foldered based on their origin or content. Groups represented include: National States Rights Party; United Americans for Conservative Government; Alabama Committee to Support Your Local Police; the Ku Klux Klan; The Southerners; and the American States' Rights Association, Inc.

The bulk of the materials contain racist and hate speech and texts promoting white supremacy and opposing integration and voting rights for Black Americans. Some items discuss Martin Luther King, Jr. and the NAACP; others are encouraging white voters to join forces in Citizens' Councils or other groups to retain power in local political organizations. Some materials relate to school integration and schools closing rather than desegregate classrooms.

There are also three transcriptions of speeches included: "The Brotherhood of Man Racket," by W. H. Amerine; an untitled speech by Hugh Morrow delivered to the Alabama legislature; and "Civil Rights Bill Denies Trial by Jury--Our Greatest Constitutional Right," by John J. Sparkman, reprinted in the Congressional Record in 1957.

Biographical / historical:

The anti-civil rights movement developed in response to federal efforts to legislate desegregation in the 1950s and 1960s. Groups involved included the National States Rights Party, the Ku Klux Klan, various white citizens councils, and others. Organizations present in this collection include the Ku Klux Klan; National States Rights Party; United Americans for Conservative Government; Alabama Committee to Support Your Local Police; The Southerners; and the American States' Rights Association, Inc.

Acquisition information:

The Anti-Civil Rights Ephemera Collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2016 and 2023. Acquired as part of the George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana.

The collection was originally assembled by L and T Press of Northampton, Mass. in 2016. Subsequent addition acquired from D. Anthem, Bookseller, Norfolk, Va. in 2023.

Processing information:

Processed by RL Staff, July 2016. Updated in May 2023.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2016-0059, 2023-0029

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Anti-Civil Rights Ephemera Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1759k