Ep 1. Awakenings - 1954-1956

Awakenings - 1954-1956 is the first episode of season 1 of the documentary series, Eyes on the Prize. The episode takes a closer look at the American Civil Rights Movement between 1954 and 1956, a crucial period in the history of the United States.

The episode begins with the landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education that declared segregation unconstitutional. This historic decision paved the way for a wave of activism that would continue for many years. The series presents the case and the decision through impactful archival footage and interviews of people who were directly impacted by the decision.

The show further discusses this time with footage of everyday life in the United States, including a clip of an interview with a white shop owner in Montgomery, Alabama, discussing how he saw no problem with segregation. Clips such as these serve as a reminder of the pervasive attitudes and beliefs that were present during this time.

The Documentary then moves on to discuss the rise of the Civil Rights Movement. The episode talks about key activists of the time, such as the charismatic Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who began his career in activism during this time period. This episode also includes interviews with other notable Civil Rights leaders such as Rosa Parks and James Baldwin, whose perspectives are valuable in understanding the climate of the time.

Awakenings - 1954-1956 further discusses Smith v. Allwright, a Supreme Court decision that stated political party primaries could not be restricted by race. This decision allowed black voters in Texas, and throughout the rest of the country, to participate in the political process. The episode also talks about the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus. The boycott lasted for 381 days and was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Throughout the episode, the series uses archival footage to show the events occurring during this period such as the boycott and the rallies that followed. These clips allow viewers to see footage of sit-ins, protests, and law enforcement actions at the time. The episode shows newsreel footage, which was a popular form of news dissemination at the time, which helps to provide a sense of how this movement was received by the public.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the impact of parental involvement in their children's education and its connection to better socioeconomic outcomes for families. This conclusion provides a respite from the action-packed previous portions of the episode, allowing the viewers to reflect on the progress made during the highlighted time.

Awakenings - 1954-1956 effectively frames the groundwork of the Civil Rights Movement, providing a historical context for civil rights activists. The episode manages to maintain a balance between presenting factual information while humanizing and personalizing the experiences of the people involved. The episode also highlights the importance of understanding the past to appreciate the present and is a must-watch for those interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Civil Rights Movement in America.