Postwar Conflicts

Prior to the 1950's, schools in the United States were segregated by race, with whites attending one group of schools and "colored" students attending others. Schools that were for minorities in America were underfunded and not given the same support that the white schools were given (3). White people in the South and North (mainly the South) made the lives of minorities difficult by not allowing them an equal education.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is an organization that represented African Americans in their fight against racial injustice. The NAACP played a major role in many pivotal court cases that would go on to help African Americans earn the right of equals in the United States (5). The influence of this organization has done a lot for the African American community and still exists to this day.

Following WWII and the Great Depression, the birth rate in the United States saw a very large increase when compared to recent memory (7). With the economy recovering following the war and new opportunities being opened up to families, Americans began growing their families. This generation of children went on to create a new era of Americans and foreshadow a culture shift in the United States.

Elvis Presley was an American singer and dancer that rose to fame singing in the southern United States in the 1950's (9). Presley, a white male, adapted ideas from black culture to form his unique style, both factors led to him being a well known symbol. Black music and culture is a main reason for the prominence of one of the United States most recognized artists of all time, bringing more respect to their culture and performance arts.