Important People I leaned about

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Homer Plessy

Homer Plessy was a Haitian man whose family immigrated to New Orleans during the Haitian revolution.  He is known around the city best for his roles in civil rights.  He was a key player in fighting for rights for people of color.  Once America had took over Louisiana, the people of color started losing their rights that they once had.  This was because of the enforcements of the Jim Crow Laws to aid in segregation.   In the 1890’s the government segregated the trains, splitting up people of color, and white people.  To boycott this division, Homer Plessy bought a first-class white train ticket on June 7, 1892.  Once Homer boarded the train however there was no commotion.  This is because he was only 1/8 of African decent and looked more like a white man than a black man.  It took someone to point him out before he was arrested.  His case went all the way to the supreme court, but his case was still lost.  Homer Plessy is also known for being the first black man to check white on his voter’s registration card to vote. 

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/535

Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson is another person of color from New Orleans that was inspirational in the civil rights movements. Coming from a poor family, Mahalia started singing when she was four years old at her family’s church.  She would soon make a career out of singing gospel music.  Mahalia is known today as the greatest gospel singer of all time.  She is what made it what it is today.  Her singing had a major influence on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  She soon became part of his inner circle.  It is rumored that she is responsible for his famous, I Have a Dream speech.  The story goes that when he stepped up to the podium it was with her encouragement that he put away his prepared speech, and give the famous speech that we all know now, as “I Have a Dream”. 

Claude Treme

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Claude Treme was a land owner who in who bought a part of a plantation in the back side of the French quarter in New Orleans.  He then sold off these properties to develop what is known now as Treme.  What makes this area so special is that in its start it was an area that gave people of color hope.  When laws were starting to be enforced and people of color were losing more and more rights this area became kind of like their haven.  It is home of Congo Square which was a place in the 18^th and 19^th centuries slaves were able to go there to dance, trade goods, and play music.  It is believed that this is the place where jazz evolved.