08 The Basile's during the Civil Rights Movement

With the turn of the decade into the 1960s came the sudden foundation and drastic expansion of the civil rights movement. Being from the North, the Basile’s were not exactly in the thick of the racial, gender and sexuality conflict. Despite this displacement from the most tense regions of the country, the Basile’s along with every other northern family had a voice in the argument. While the south was in a reckless standoff, the north had already desegregated schools and public facilities for the most part. The Basile’s, for one, supported equal rights among different races and genders and were sure to teach their children that everyone is entitled to the same rights.

Along with most other families from that time period, Joe can recall the desegregation of Birmingham public schools. The conflict was between the black population and the white population, including the Alabama State Government. Being a man from the North who had already seen desegregated schools; it was startling to see the actions taken by local law enforcement in an attempt to ward off black protesters. He can remember seeing images of mauled black men who had been the victims of police beatings and police dog attacks. He was shocked to see such behavior because this desegregation had already taken place in the North, long before the contemplation of such a policy had even begun in the South.