CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
On May 17, 1954, after nearly two decades of legal challenges against racial segregation in public schools and higher education, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas that school segregation was unconstitutional. Their decision paved the way for desegregation of educational institutions. Prior to Brown v. Board of Education decision, legal segregation had existed under the "separate but equal" doctrine. However, the separate educational facilities and opportunities the Southern states offered to Black Americans were inferior, not equal, to those designed for white Americans. In 1956, Virginia's General Assembly adopted a policy of Massive Resistance, using the law and courts to obstruct desegregation and to not comply with changes which were being made nationwide in response to Brown v. Board of Education.
Virginians came down on both sides of the issue which was reflected in the policies of coutnies and cities across the Commonwealth. This petition written by the citizens of Halifax County is just one example of the strong sentiment many Virginians had against integration.
Citation: Petition from the citizens of Halifax County, 1955. Virginia Senate Office of the Clerk, Correspondence of Clerk Ben D. Lacy. Library of Virginia
Standards
USII.1, USII.9, CE.1, VUS.1, VUS.8, VUS.13, GOVT.1, GOVT.3, GOVT.10
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Scan It: Scan the document. What words or phrases stand out to you?
Post Activities
Another Perspective: Imagine that this petition had been printed as a letter to the editor, or made public in some other way. What might have been the response?
Food For Thought: The petition was written the year before the Brown v. Board of Education decision. How might have the petition been different, if it had been written after the Supreme Court declared segregation unconstitutional.