History of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
In order to understand the racial tensions that formed the social atmosphere of the area, one must understand the importance of the industries that gave rise to the great southern city. With the abundance of iron ore and mining, workers came from all over the United States to work. During the post Civil War era, each state began aggressively pooling and developing their resources, and Alabama was no different. The labor force was mixed with White, Black and European workers, and the environment was fast becoming vulnerable to the pressures that the Great depression were about to apply to the social atmosphere. While race is still a touchy subject in the south, Hotels in Birmingham embrace the trend to move forward, so finding information about the civil rights movement should be easy. Most Birmingham hotels can point visitors who seek to learn more about the movement in the right direction, if approached respectfully.
Despite the prosperity that the resources brought to the area, local Blacks, who made up more than 40% of the population began recognizing and protesting the unequal social status that was placed upon them by the local population. Having already fought for freedom abroad, returning blacks were angry and resentful at their treatment, becoming furious as the disparity in living conditions upon their return. Their please were treated with apathy and aggression, and this was the birth of the civil rights movement.
After the Brown vs. board of Education ruling, things went from bad to worse. White flight became the rule, and civic leaders became even more hostile to the wishes of the black population. Aggressive racial campaigns were waged against the people in the city, and from this tragic chain of events, the civil rights movement truly began to take hold. Your Birmingham hotel is likely to acknowledge this tragic history and many are eager to help visitors understand the complexities of the race issue here, so Birmingham Hotels are welcoming of visitors who actively seek to learn more about the movement and its beginning.
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