The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Remembering the Civil Rights Movement

Although black students can freely enter establishments in Carbondale, there was once a time when the phrases and signs "Everyone Welcome," certainly did not apply to everyone.

"I couldn't get into any of the bars or restaurants," said Harvey Welch, a 1955 graduate in physical education. "And the access to most places in Carbondale was limited to none."

Although Welch believes the demand for equal rights began long before attention was paid to the matter, it was not until Welch's student career ended that the Civil Rights movement officially began.

The Civil Rights Movement in the United States was a political, legal, and social struggle for black people trying to gain full citizenship and to achieve racial equality. The Civil Rights Movement was a challenge to segregation, the system of laws and customs separating blacks and whites.

During the Civil Rights Movement, individuals and civil rights organizations challenged segregation and discrimination through means of protest marches, boycotts, and refusal to abide by segregation laws.

Seymour Bryson, who graduated from SIUC in 1960, was just entering college around the time the Civil Rights Movement began.

"From my memories of it, it was a period of time in which blacks realized that human rights are entitled to everyone," Bryson said. "These were privileges other people took for granted.

They didn't know that other people were not doing them a favor and that they were entitled to these rights."

Some believe that the movement began with the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and ended with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But there is debate about when it began and whether it has even ended.

John S. Holmes, a 1966 graduate of SIUC still believes there is progress to be made as far as race is concerned, for example, the implementation of Black American Studies as a major.

However, he can also recall a time when BAS was not the only aspect of race not sufficiently acknowledged. Holmes remembers a time when African-Americans were hardly acknowledged as equals.

From hotel establishments to college dormitories, Holmes was able to remember a time when segregation was as major part of the Carbondale community.

"There was never really any major protest," said Holmes. "After the movement was over, the board just met to decide whether segregation should continue to take place."

Although individuals were not always cooperative, many of the city officials wanted to see the unrest settle within city. Fines were handed down upon those who did not comply with regulations, making Carbondale one of the more civil environments.

Larry Dietz, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management graduated from SIUC in 1970, attending the University during the height of the movement.

Dietz, a political science major, said the events of the time often provided topics for discussion in his classes.

"Overall the tension was not too high during my years at SIU," Dietz said. "It was a complex time, not just racially, but the Vietnam War permeated a lot of discussion.

It was a sad time in many respects, but it was also a stimulating time in many respects," Dietz said.

Reporter Jessica Yorama can be reached at jyorama@dailyegyptian.com