black struggle for political and Civil Rights in Broward County, 1943-1989

During the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, Broward County blacks established their place in the ranks of freedom fighters. The Supreme Court decision of 1944 in the case of Smith v. Allright opened the door for the black community to become involved in the political process. Jim Crow laws were eliminated throughout the south. Other covert barriers are now being overcome. At-large elections that prevent black representation are being overturned. Annexation of black neighborhoods has still not been accomplished to any great extent. As a result, thousands of Broward's black residents have no voice in municipal government. Qualified black residents are not registering to vote in numbers that reflect their population. Despite fair housing legislation, discrimination in housing is rampant. Police departments have yet to meet agreed quotas of black officers under federal consent decrees. Overt racism is not an acceptable attitude today, but covert racism is alive and well.