Black historian and 60s civil rights activist Thornton Perkins was at the very protest where Stokely Carmichael proclaimed “we don’t want non-violence, we want black power.” This marked a shift from King’s peaceful philosophy to Charmichael’s more radical approach within the movement.

Inspired to take action by Bloody Sunday, Thornton leaped into the struggle headfirst knowing his life could be in danger.

In many cities and towns, being drafted or signing up to go to Vietnam was the only way out, and most minorities ended up on the frontlines. If fighting for your life wasn’t enough, most black soldiers had to deal with the racism that was brought over from America. Mr. Louis Thomas dealt with both.

It was 1959 When a young woman from Detroit Michigan moved to New York she took full advantage of everything the big apple had to offer. Far removed from the heated south and its civil rights movement, New York’s ritz, clamor, and diversity were all she needed. That changed in a heartbeat in 1960, when She heard the dynamic Malcolm X speak.

The thought of being drafted to go fight a war on the day of your birthday is a frightening one. But telling the United States government, no you won’t go is even more frightening because of the consequences, yet many did just that. Young blacks and whites took a stand and fought not to go to Vietnam, This is Gerold Smith's story.