The March on Washington
Wednesday, August 28th marks the 61st Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. According to the U.S. Parks Service, approximately 250,000 people rallied at the National Mall to demand better jobs and social justice for disenfranchised Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the famous “I Have a Dream,” speech at the event. The books selected this week focus on the events of that day and the long history of non-violent civil rights protest in the United States.
Joyful Reading!
I Have a Dream
Written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
2013 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor
This beautifully illustrated book contains the entire text of the “I Have a Dream,” speech. Kadir Nelson’s richly textured paintings evoke the range of emotions and iconic images of the era, along with the majesty of the natural environment featured in the Dr. King’s words. An audio CD includes an original recording of Dr. King’s address.
The history of Dr. King’s speech is brilliantly captured with audio of the speech, Dr. King’s written notes, and images from the march in Freedom’s Ring as part of Stanford University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. Learn Why Martin Luther King's 'Dream' Speech Is So Hard to Find Online.
Let the Children March
Written by Monica Clark-Robinson, Illustrated by Frank Morrison
2019 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor
This powerful book chronicles the Children’s Crusade of May 1963 in Birmingham Alabama. Told from the perspective of young children and teens who volunteered to march and protest in place of their parents who were fearful they would lose their jobs if they participated. Frank Morrison’s stirring illustrations capture the commitment and sacrifice of the children and their families. An Afterward, Artist’s Statement, and additional resources are provided along with a timeline of events is provided in the front spread of the book and continues on the back spread, placing the events in context of the larger Civil Rights Movement.
A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford & Rob Sanders, Illustrated by Byron McCray
This book chronicles the life and times of Bayard Rustin, the organizer of the March on Washington, who is now widely credited for introducing Martin Luther King, Jr. to the principles of non-violent protest and the work of Ghandi. Readers will learn about his upbringing and commitment to social justice as well as how he was marginalized because he was outwardly gay at a time when most people were not. Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders interweave lyrics from freedom songs and spirituals to frame the book’s narratives. Bryon McCray’s collage illustrations incorporate newspaper clippings and other found objects to enrich the images of the March on Washington, Rustin’s planning, and key events in his life.
Authors Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders discuss A Song for the Unsung.
A powerful documentary, Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, features archival footage and interviews that provide a comprehensive look at Rustin’s life and times.
Beyond the Books
The history to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States is a long and complex one. For the past 40 years PBS has supported the production of numerous documentaries and documentary series that chronicle the history and events that shaped the movement. Arguably the most powerful documentary series is Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement which chronicles the movement from 1954-the mid 1980s, featuring archival footage, and interviews with individuals who shaped the events of the time. In addition, PBS has produced films on Freedom Summer, the Freedom Riders, and Freedom Songs: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement, to name just a few of the productions available on DVD as well as streaming on PBS.