African-American history plays an important role in American history not only because the Civil Rights Movement, but because of the strength and courage of those African-Americans who struggled to live a good, fair life in America. African-Americans have been present in this country since the early 1600's, and have been making history since. We as students in America have studied American history all throughout school, and took one Month out of the year to studied African-American history. Of course we learn some things about the important people and events in African-American history, but some of the most important things remain in the shadows. When African-American's came to America in hopes of having a better and easier way of life, they were not expecting to deal with the hardships that they went though. The following are a couple events that took place in different locations for the fight for freedom and right. The first is "Bloody Sunday"; which took place in Selma, Alabama. This particular event was the march of black activists from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Thomas-Samuel stated, "In 1965, Alabama state troopers and local deputies stopped and clubbed black activists as they marched peacefully"" (para. 1). These people just wanted to make a point by marching from one city to another but still faced discrimination and oppression. .
Next is the fight for desegregation in Central High School, Little Rock, AR. On September 25, 1957, nine courageous students better known as Little Rock Nine went to Central High in hope of furthering their education peacefully. Francis pointed out "after the infamous 1957 standoff in Little Rock, Arkansas, only 1 percent of southern black students attended school with whites"" (n.d., para 5). Upon their arrival they were struck with the reality of how the other students wanted them out of their school. In the History of Little Rock Nine, it was stated that "Their action not only mobilized a Nation to insure that access to a quality education was granted to all Americans, but they helped to define the civil rights movement"" (para.
