Kress

Kress

Kress, also known as S.H. Kress & Co., was a popular five and dime store chain in the United States during the mid-20th century. The company played a significant role in the US Civil Rights Movement, particularly in the context of segregation and desegregation efforts. As a major retailer with stores across the Southern United States, Kress became a focal point for civil rights activists, including African American students and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) members, who sought to challenge the company's segregationist policies.

● Introduction to

Kress Kress was founded by Samuel Henry Kress in 1896 and quickly expanded to become one of the largest five and dime store chains in the country. The company was known for its wide range of products, including housewares, toys, and clothing, all sold at affordable prices. Kress stores were often located in downtown areas, making them a hub of commercial activity and a popular destination for shoppers. However, like many other businesses in the Southern United States during this time, Kress maintained segregationist policies, including separate restrooms, water fountains, and dining areas for African American and white customers. This practice was deeply rooted in the Jim Crow laws that governed the Southern United States and was supported by organizations such as the White Citizens' Council.

● Kress Stores and Segregation

Kress stores were not immune to the segregationist attitudes that pervaded the Southern United States during the mid-20th century. The company's segregationist policies were reflected in the physical layout of its stores, with separate facilities for African American and white customers. This included separate entrances, elevators, and restrooms, as well as segregated dining areas and water fountains. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other civil rights organizations criticized Kress and other companies for their segregationist policies, arguing that they perpetuated racial segregation and discrimination. Thurgood Marshall, a prominent civil rights lawyer, played a key role in challenging these policies through his work with the NAACP.

● Sit-Ins and Protests at

Kress In the early 1960s, civil rights activists, including African American students and NAACP members, began to organize sit-ins and protests at Kress stores across the Southern United States. These events were part of a larger movement to challenge segregationist policies and promote desegregation in public facilities. The Greensboro sit-ins, which took place in Greensboro, North Carolina, were a notable example of this type of protest, with students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University sitting in at a Woolworth's lunch counter to protest segregation. Similar protests took place at Kress stores in other cities, including Nashville, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent civil rights leaders supported these efforts, advocating for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as a means of achieving social change.

● Impact on

the Civil Rights Movement The sit-ins and protests at Kress stores had a significant impact on the US Civil Rights Movement. These events helped to galvanize public opinion and mobilize support for desegregation efforts, both locally and nationally. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were landmark legislation that addressed many of the issues raised by civil rights activists during this period. Kress and other companies were forced to re-examine their segregationist policies and implement changes to comply with the new laws. The US Supreme Court played a crucial role in shaping the civil rights landscape, with decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia helping to dismantle segregationist policies and promote racial equality. Medgar Evers, a prominent civil rights leader, was a key figure in the movement, advocating for voting rights and desegregation in Mississippi.

● Desegregation Efforts and Outcomes

In response to the sit-ins and protests, Kress began to implement desegregation efforts in its stores. The company removed segregated facilities and began to serve African American customers in its dining areas and at its counters. This process was not without challenges, as some white customers and employees resisted the changes. However, with the support of civil rights organizations and the US government, Kress was able to navigate these challenges and emerge as a more inclusive and equitable company. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) played a key role in enforcing anti-discrimination laws and promoting equal employment opportunities for African American workers. Rosa Parks, a prominent civil rights activist, was a key figure in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which helped to galvanize the civil rights movement and promote desegregation in public transportation.

● Legacy of

Kress in Civil Rights History Today, Kress is remembered as a significant player in the US Civil Rights Movement. The company's segregationist policies and subsequent desegregation efforts serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by civil rights activists during this period. The legacy of Kress can be seen in the many civil rights victories that were achieved during the 1960s, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The National Civil Rights Museum, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is a prominent institution dedicated to preserving the history of the civil rights movement and promoting social justice. Diane Nash, a prominent civil rights leader, played a key role in the Freedom Rides and other civil rights initiatives, advocating for desegregation and voting rights for African American citizens. John Lewis, a prominent civil rights leader and US Congressman, was a key figure in the Selma to Montgomery Marches, which helped to galvanize support for voting rights and desegregation in Alabama.