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Picked for a Purpose ~ The Norfolk 17 |
| The members of the Norfolk 17 were the true heroes of the school integration struggle in Norfolk, Virginia. As young men and women, they entered six of the previously all-white public schools in the city, persevering in the face of intense racial animosity. In doing so, they secured for themselves, their friends and family, and indeed their entire people, a new place in American society. |
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NBPC.tv |
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The
Norfolk 17 |
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Too young to understand the Brown vs.
Board of Education ruling, on February
2, 1959, 17 of 150 African American
students were admitted to six of
Norfolk’s all-white schools. In 1959,
this was the largest school district in
Virginia. The declared Norfolk 17 were
faced with numerous indignities. For
example, people spit on them, cursed at
them, called them degrading names and
the list goes on. In spite of intense
racial animosity, most of these students
persevered and graduated |
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Quick
Facts |
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Norfolk,
Virginia was founded in 1682
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January 19,
1959, the Virginia State Supreme
Court and the Federal District Court
declared that the school closings in
Norfolk were unconstitutional.
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February 2,
1959, 17 of 150 African American
students were admitted to six of
Norfolk’s all-white schools
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Black
teachers made less than their
similarly trained white
counterparts.
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more quick
facts
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