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Making the Movement: How Activists Fought for Civil Rights with Buttons, Flyers, Pins, and Posters
Packed with over 200 color photos, this visual journey through Black history and the Civil Rights Movement is told through the objects—buttons, badges, flyers, pennants, posters, and more—designed by activists as tools to advance the fight for justice and freedom, offering a unique perspective on the Civil Rights Movement from Emancipation through the present day.
From Reconstruction through Jim Crow, through the protest era of the 1960s and '70s, to current-day resistance and activism such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the material culture of the Civil Rights Movement has been integral to its goals and tactics. During decades of sit-ins, marches, legal challenges, political campaigns, boycotts, and demonstrations, objects such as buttons, flyers, pins, and posters have been key in the fight against racism, oppression, and violence.
Making the Movement presents more than 200 of these nonviolent weapons alongside the stories of the activists, organizations, and campaigns that defined and propelled the cause of civil rights. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to learn about Black and African American history in the United States and about strategies to combat racism and the structures that support it.
From Reconstruction through Jim Crow, through the protest era of the 1960s and '70s, to current-day resistance and activism such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the material culture of the Civil Rights Movement has been integral to its goals and tactics. During decades of sit-ins, marches, legal challenges, political campaigns, boycotts, and demonstrations, objects such as buttons, flyers, pins, and posters have been key in the fight against racism, oppression, and violence.
Making the Movement presents more than 200 of these nonviolent weapons alongside the stories of the activists, organizations, and campaigns that defined and propelled the cause of civil rights. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to learn about Black and African American history in the United States and about strategies to combat racism and the structures that support it.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 4, 2023
As an avid button collector the title really caught my eye. If you are unfamiliar with the civil rights movement this provides an overview. If you are familiar there will probably not be much new to you. Filled with tons of full color photos, and information behind them this makes me want to see the traveling exhibition.
December 14, 2022
A well-researched an insightful collection of art and memorabilia used to propel the Civil Rights Movement. Crane takes us on a long journey, from abolition to the Black Panther Party, on the use of pins, buttons, posters, flyers, pamphlets, and the like. With high resolution photographs of these items, Crane shows us just how integral these were into making the movement, maintaining the movement, and ensuring that there was unity across members and supporters of various calls to action.
September 13, 2025
This book is a goldmine for activists!
It shows the buttons, flyers, pins and posters of the Civil Rights Movement, then explains the story behind these artifacts.
In an era where activism is needed from across America once again, it’s great to have such a wonderful guide show us what worked before.
It shows the buttons, flyers, pins and posters of the Civil Rights Movement, then explains the story behind these artifacts.
In an era where activism is needed from across America once again, it’s great to have such a wonderful guide show us what worked before.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews