Unexampled Courage
Synopsis
On February 12, 1946, Sgt. Isaac Woodard was beaten and blinded by police in Batesburg, South Carolina, after confronting a bus driver.
Synopsis
On February 12, 1946, in Batesburg, South Carolina, Sgt. Isaac Woodard was forcibly removed from a bus after confronting the driver about disrespectful treatment. While in custody, he was brutally beaten and blinded. Richard Gergel recounts the aftermath of this incident, detailing how it prompted a racial awakening in President Harry S. Truman and influenced the trajectory of civil rights in America. The documentary also features a discussion of the legal efforts led by Judge J. Waties Waring in response to the injustice.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See how Woodard's story changed US Armed Forces desegregation.
- Meet Judge Richard Gurgel, a key figure in civil rights law.
- Find out about the early struggles of civil rights lawyers.
Did You Know
- Isaac Woodard was beaten and blinded, leading to major legal changes.
- Before 1960, there were only seven lawyers handling civil rights cases in the US.
- The Civil Rights Division was created in 1957 to improve civil rights prosecutions.
- Judge Richard Gurgel was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in 2009.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the author of the book discussed in the documentary?
The author of the book is Jorge Gurgel.
What significant event did Isaac Woodard's story contribute to?
Isaac Woodard's story contributed to the desegregation of the US Armed Forces and the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision.
When was the Civil Rights Division established?
The Civil Rights Division was established in 1960.
What are people saying?
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