African American History Essay
African American History Essay

African American History Essay

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  • Pages: 3 (778 words)
  • Published: December 24, 2021
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The only basis for Heman Sweatt's 1946 application rejection from the University of Texas Law School was his race.

Sweatt initiated a lawsuit in state court to compel graduate school officials to admit him. Texas lacked a separate graduate school for African Americans at the time. The trial court acknowledged that denying Sweatt equal educational opportunities compared to white individuals constituted a violation of his right to equal protection. However, the court did not grant Sweatt's desired solution immediately. Instead, it extended the lawsuit by six months, allowing Texas to establish a distinct graduate school for African Americans.

Texas State University was established in 1947 by the state governing body with the aim of providing a separate but equal law school for African Americans. This initiative aimed to prevent Heman Sweatt from being admitted to the Univer

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sity of Texas Law School. Simultaneously, in that same year, the graduate school welcomed its first group of five undergraduate students. In 1950, Henry Doyle became their inaugural undergraduate graduate and later went on to become the first African American appointed to a state appellate court in Texas. Although Sweatt declined enrollment at the newly created law school, a state trial court ruled that it provided him an opportunity to study law that was equivalent to what White students received at the University of Texas Law School.

The court denied Sweatt's request for assistance and confirmed the establishment of a graduate school. The Texas Supreme Court rejected Sweatt's plea in 1948, leading him to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted certiorari. As a result of Sweatt's legal action, attorneys general from 11 Southern states submitted amici curiae briefs supporting

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Texas' position that it was not obligated to admit him into the University of Texas Law School. Meanwhile, the African American graduate school created by the Texas legislature in 1947 continued operating and became one of the top law schools nationwide for producing African American law graduates. In 1976, it was renamed Thurgood Marshall School of Law as a tribute to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

The law school at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas is renowned for its varied student body. Jackie Robinson, the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, commenced his extraordinary journey during the post-World War II period. The Brooklyn Dodgers acknowledged Robinson's exceptional skills and extended an invitation for him to meet with Branch Rickey, the team's president.

Jackie initially does not realize that the invitation to play for the Montreal AAA team of the Dodgers is genuine, as he perceives it as a joke. However, he later learns that it is indeed a sincere offer and accepts it. He is cautioned to control his temper and not overreact when he inevitably faces discrimination as a black man playing alongside white players. His career begins with experiencing prejudice from his own teammates.

Despite facing insults and a ban from a gaming website, he is recognized for his calmness and exceptional talent, supported by his spouse. Not only was he the first African American athlete in the Major League, but he also became an influential advocate for civil rights. By breaking barriers, he paved the way for African Americans to pursue opportunities in sports and other fields. His achievements both on and off the field challenged stereotypes about African Americans.

Jack Robinson, an individual

who excelled in both baseball and football, shattered racial prejudices to prove that one's worth is not determined by their race. His influence extended beyond the world of sports as he empowered the African-American community and heightened their self-esteem. Ralph Bunche is highly praised for his remarkable intelligence.

He is famous for being the first African-American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He achieved widespread acclaim for his contributions to both the United States' military endeavors and diplomatic talks. Particularly, he played a crucial role as a U.N. mediator during the Arab-Israeli conflict in the late 1940s. Initially, Count Folke Bernadotte of Sweden was designated by the United Nations as the mediator, with Bunche serving as his main assistant.

In 1948, negotiations in the Middle East were started by Bernadotte and Bunche, who settled on the island of Rhodes. Unfortunately, Bernadotte was killed in September, causing Bunche to take charge. While playing pool with Israeli and Arab agents, Bunche successfully orchestrated the peace talks. As a result of his efforts to contain the Arab-Israeli war, Bunche became the first African-American recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. President John F. Kennedy acknowledged Bunche's contributions in the Middle East and honored him with the Medal of Freedom in 1963. This recognition had significant implications for African-Americans throughout the United States.

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