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Church and Desegregation
Date:
March 13, 1955
Author:
Benjamin Lee Smith
Biographical/Historical abstract:
Benjamin Lee Smith was superintendent of the Greensboro City Schools at the time of the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision ordering desegregation of public schools.
Additional contributor:
Description:
This speech titled “The Church and Desegregation” was delivered by Greensboro City Schools Superintendent Benjamin L. Smith to Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on March 13, 1955. In this presentation, Smith discusses the history of the South, reasoning that it will make desegregation difficult but that “an amazing amount of loyalty and goodwill has existed between the races.” He says that desegregation is a necessary step, and calls for the support of the church. He goes on to discuss the history of church involvement in education and details why Christians must act according to their religion on the issue of desegregation.
Subjects:
Format of original:
Speech
Collection:
Benjamin Lee Smith Papers
Repository:
Duke University
Item#:
4.1.995
Rights:
It is responsibility of the user to follow the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). Materials are not to be reproduced in published works without written consent, and any use should credit Civil Rights Greensboro and the appropriate repository.
