Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Hope Arrives

March Route for Education

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

Hope Arrives Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. Hope Arrives Marker

Inscription. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) used its Legal Defense and Educational Fund and its team of skilled lawyers to attack the "separate but equal” education laws. Beginning in the 1930s, the NAACP filed lawsuits on behalf of Blacks against all-White schools or colleges that refused to admit them. State courts usually ruled against the NAACP lawsuits, so they appealed to higher courts. By the end of 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court combined five of the NAACP lawsuits under a single case, Oliver Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Thurgood Marshall led the team of NAACP lawyers, who convinced the high court that racially segregated and un- equal public schools made Blacks feel inferior. Without a fair education, these children would never be equal in American society.

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number D5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.

Location. 33° 31.269′ N, 86° 48.405′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson

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County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Place and 22nd Street North, on the left when traveling east on Park Place. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alabama's Rebel Yell (a few steps from this marker); The Schoolhouse Stand at Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); Education of Black Folk (within shouting distance of this marker); School Integration Now (within shouting distance of this marker); Children's Crusade for Education (within shouting distance of this marker); Southern Resistance (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Little Lady Can Read (about 300 feet away); Integration Begins: Desegregating Graymont School (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

More about this marker. The 2nd "paired" marker is missing. You can see the mounting bolts in the sidewalk in photo #2 about 3 feet behind. It went missing (removed) sometime after February 2020.

Regarding Hope Arrives. The Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

2. Hope Arrives Marker

Closeup of bolts showing location of missing "paired" marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

3. Closeup of bolts showing location of missing "paired" marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of "paired" (Hope Arrives) marker (with text). • Can you help?