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J. Lindsay Almond School Integration Speech, January 20, 1959

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.

In 1957, in the midst of Virginia’s effort to maintain segregation in public schools, James Lindsay Almond Jr., won the gubernatorial election by pledging to uphold Massive Resistance. In September 1958, Gov. Almond closed schools in Charlottesville, Front Royal, and Norfolk in accordance with a new state law authorizing the governor to close public schools that desegregated. On January 19, 1959, both the federal district court and the Virginia Supreme Court overturned Massive Resistance laws and ordered that schools be reopened. The following day, Gov. Almond gave a public speech that was broadcast on radio and television. In this excerpt he reiterates his belief that desegregating schools would have a negative impact on children and that court decisions promoting integration should be ignored. However, he soon declared that Massive Resistance could not continue and formed a commission to develop a new plan that would limit desegregation efforts. The closed schools reopened with small numbers of Black students, but many white Virginians across the state continued to obstruct integration into the 1960s. In 1968, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Charles C. Green et al. v. County School Board of New Kent County, Virginia that cities and counties had to demonstrate actual progress in desegregating schools. 

Citation: Excerpt from J. Lindsay Almond School Integration Speech, 20 January 1959 (WRVA–386), WRVA Radio Collection, Accession 38210, Library of Virginia. These recordings are for educational use and permission must be requested in writing from WRVA to reproduce any sound recordings.


For more information on Massive Resistance, see Encyclopedia Virginia.

For more information about Charles C. Green et al. v. County School Board of New Kent County, Virginia, see Encyclopedia Virginia.

Standards

VS.11, USII.8, CE.6, CE.7, CE.9, VUS.16, VUS.17, GOVT.10, GOVT.11

Suggested Questions

Preview Activity

Scan It: Scan the transcript of the speech. What words or phrases stand out to you?

Post Activities

Context Clues: Listen to the audio clip of Governor Almond’s speech. How does his presentation give clues to the anticipated reactions of listeners? How does he use his voice to try to elicit emotional responses?

Be a Journalist: Assume the role of a newspaper editorialist and compose a rebuttal to Governor Almond. In your response address at least three statements made by Almond.