Something Better for Our Children: Black Organizing in the Chicago Public Schools, 1963--1971

This study examines the critical role of Black organizing for Chicago school reform in the 1960s, both in the Civil Rights and Black Power eras. During the Civil Rights era, there were organized efforts to push for integration of public schools to insure equality. Because of Mayor Richard J. Daley's control of Chicago and his support of Superintendent Benjamin C. Willis's maintenance of segregation, Civil Rights organizing efforts fell on deaf ears. Few significant changes were made during the Civil Rights era. As Black Power ideology grew throughout the nation, Black students, teachers and community members and organizations utilized that ideology and demanded community control of Black schools. Using the same Civil Rights direct action tactics, such as boycotts, demonstrations, etc., Black organizers demanded Black administrators, Black history, and various school improvements. Their demands created opportunities that were not achieved in the Civil Rights Movement.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Danns, Dionne A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Anderson, James D.

• Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3017064

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/79586