A Time for Justice: America's Civil Rights Movement

38 minutes 53 seconds

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Academy Award-winning filmmaker Charles Guggenheim captures the spirit of the civil rights movement through historical footage and the voices of those who participated in the struggle. Students are able to witness firsthand the movement’s most dramatic moments-the bus boycott in Montgomery, the school crisis in Little Rock, the violence in Birmingham and the triumphant 1965 march for voting rights. Use of racial epitaphs and some violence.

Media Details

Runtime: 38 minutes 53 seconds

Topic: History, Social Science
Subtopic: African-Americans, Civil Rights, Documentaries, Social Issues, U.S. History - 1946-1999
Grade/Interest Level: 9 - 12
Standards:

Release Year: 2011
Producer/Distributor: Southern Poverty Law Center

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Web Page Teacher's Guide

Black and white image with closeup of a sign that reads, "Civil Rights Plus Full Employment." Crowd of people and protest signs fill the background.

A Black woman wearing a nurse's uniform puts her arm around a Black boy, both smile at the camera.

Black and white photo of Black and White people in a coffee shop, some sitting in chairs and others standing at a lunch counter in the background. Caption. Male as narrator. The idea of the freedom rides was radical.

Black and white photo of Black girl and father speaking to senior White man. Caption. I had my big daddy's hand to walk with.

Color illustration of a silhouette behind a curtain overlooking boats on a lake in the distance. Title card reads, "A Spy Called James."

Color illustration of Ananse. A colorful umbrella shields him from the sun. Caption. All the stories belonged to Nyame, the Sky God.

Black and white frame of A. Philip Randolph, a civil-rights activist. Caption. Of a mighty corporation such as the Pullman Company was.

Black and white image of Jackie Robinson wearing his Dodgers jersey and sliding on one side towards a base, baseball hat falling to the ground.

Senior Black man wearing glasses, a teal-colored African scarf and head wrap, and a dark suit jacket stands next to an African wall hanging and speaks towards camera.

Faces of influential Black Americans dispersed across frame. February calendar page and map of the U, S in background. Caption. To focus on and learn more about black culture.

Viewer Comments

michael k. (manhasset, NY)

April 13th, 2022 at 07:38 AM

Great synopsis of civil rights highlights for high school students!
Taela T. (Houston, MO)

February 9th, 2022 at 07:34 AM

I am so glad that I was able to show this documentary to my students. It was useful in prefacing the historical background of a novel we are about to read and it allowed for civilized dialogue. The Civil Rights Movement, as well as other historical events, are so important for our own understanding on how to make a better future for everyone.
Melissa L. (Los Angeles, CA)

May 21st, 2019 at 11:23 PM

This feature is helpful for ALL my students with diverse abilities.
Bridget C. T. (Las Vegas, NV)

December 20th, 2017 at 01:12 AM

Worth watching it. Suitable for the history class.
Iric M. (Cimarron, KS)

February 23rd, 2016 at 11:39 AM

This is a must watch video for learning about the early Civil Rights Movement.
Jillian G. (Colchester, CT)

May 13th, 2015 at 07:10 AM

Awesome job of subtitles which aid in student understanding.

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