Public Spaces
Sundown Towns
A town, city or neighborhood in the United States that was occupied by all white people. The term “sundown town” came from signs that were posted stating that people of color, or any person who was not white, had to leave the town by sundown. Any African Americans, or sometimes other ethnic
groups, who entered or were found in sundown towns after sunset could be harassed, threatened, or subjected to violent acts.
March on Marion
A protest march on the courthouse and workshop to acquaint members with local chapters of the NAACP and the Urban League. The march was also used to make citizens aware of the workings and goals of these organizations. Upon reaching the courthouse, Father James Groppi called on Marion’s black community to boycott stores and other areas practicing racial discrimination. Executive secretary of the Marion NAACP, Henry Mills, called for reforms in the areas of employment, education and housing. The march began the downfall of the racial riots of 1969.
Tuhey Pool
A segregated pool in Delaware County during and after World War II. The efforts of Roy Buley were crucial in attempting at desegregating Tuhey pool. During a planned event, Buley took a few black students to the pool. He instructed the students to not fight back, even after they were harassed by white people at the pool. The police were called and the pool was closed, but a week later the pool reopened and it was desegregated. After some time, blacks and whites were allowed to use the pool together.
Matter Park Pool
According to WikiMarion, Matter Park Pool was a source of controversy in Marion County beacuse ,even though it was considered a public pool, Blacks were not allowed to swim in it. Blacks had to find their own places to swim such as local swimming holes, even though these areas were "both unsafe and unsanitary, but Black youths had no other choice if they wanted to swim."
White Backlash over Greenfield Housing
In Greenfield, White people bought houses in some neighborhoods just so Black people could not buy them. They thought having black neighbors would make their houses worth less money.
Discrimination While Shopping
Some stores discriminated against Black people. In 1969, demonstrators joined the March on Marion to encouraged Black people to boycott stores that discriminated against them.