This black & white educational film is about the May 17, 1954 Supreme Court decision where it was ruled that racial segregation of schools was unconstitutional. This aired in 1954 on CBS TV.

Opening titles: SEE IT NOW, as broadcast on CBS Television. Produced by Edward R. Murrow (:07-:18). Gastonia, NC is 85% white, 15% Negro, a textile center. 881 miles south is Natchitoches, LA where reporter Ed Scott is on the scene. The Chain River in Natchitoches. An old plantation building. A statue in the town square celebrates a black american, Uncle Jack. The statue shows him dressed finely, bowing slightly from the waist while doffing his hat as if to bid welcome or to show deep consideration. A sign for the white entrance to a building followed by a sign for the colored entrance. Supreme court of the USA in Washington, D.C. On May 17, 1954 segregation in public schools was ruled not legal by the court (:19-2:02). Gastonia, NC. Town life with cars and people. A newspaper reporter, Dave Gillespie, from the Gaston Citizen, speaks on the ruling of the segregation of public schools. Cade Dixon who runs the Gastonia Bank of Commerce speaks. Gastonia’s white high school where a teacher speaks about how segregation has happened then asks students their opinions. A few students state their opinions and thoughts (2:03-8:35). Highland High School, Gastonia’s black high school. A black teacher speaks to his students about many important decisions in American history. They listen intently. Some of the students then voice their opinions (8:36-11:03). 3 days after the Supreme Court decision, white parents & teachers met at a white elementary school to discuss the issue. Some of the people in attendance voice their views (11:04-12:44). A black teacher speaks his thoughts in front of other blacks in the black school’s library. Other people in attendance speak their opinions (12:45-15:00). A sign in Natchitoches, LA shows Clarence 8, Shreveport 73, Alexandria 58. Florsheim Shoes store sign in Natchitoches, LA. Mr. Cunningham of the Natchitoches Times speaks. A college in Natchitoches, LA is for whites only. There is a high school for both races. A man speaks to students at the white school in favor of keeping schools segregated. After he is done, white students voice their opinions. A black teacher speaks to her black students about the decision. Students then voice their opinions (15:01-20:28). A few days later, both white and black citizens met at the courthouse to discuss the decision, they stayed on their respective sides. People voice their opinions about segregation. A black teacher debates a white teacher about the fact that he is only qualified to teach blacks and not whites, this makes no sense to him (20:29-23:06). On the 7th day after the Supreme Court decision, the people of Natchitoches attend church. Inside of a black congregation first. A preacher speaks and then people sing (23:07-24:52). In Gastonia, NC, on the 7th day after the Supreme Court decision, the white people went to church. A white man speaks (24:53-25:40). Edward R. Murrow wraps up the broadcast (26:41-26:49). End credits (26:50-26:58).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com