Julius Hobson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julius Hobson
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| Member of the Council of the District of Columbia At-large | |
| In office January 2, 1975 – March 23, 1977 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Hilda Mason |
| Member of the District of Columbia Board of Education At-large | |
| In office 1968–1969 |
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| Succeeded by | Bardyl Tirana |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Julius Wilson Hobson
May 29, 1922 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 1977 (aged 54) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | D.C. Statehood Party |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 4 (2 stepsons) |
| Education | |
| Occupation |
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| Awards | Bronze Star Medal (3) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Julius Wilson Hobson (May 29, 1922 – March 23, 1977) was an important activist and politician. He worked hard to fight for equal rights and fairness for everyone. He served on the Council of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Board of Education.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Julius Hobson was born in Birmingham, Alabama. His mother was a schoolteacher and later a principal. His father passed away when Julius was very young. His mother later remarried.
As a child, Julius worked at a public library. He could clean the floors, but he was not allowed to borrow books. This unfair rule showed him early on about inequality. He loved reading about John Brown, an abolitionist who fought against slavery. Julius graduated from Industrial High School. This was the only public high school in Birmingham that black children could attend.
Military Service and College
Julius went to Tuskegee Institute. His studies were interrupted by World War II. During the war, he served in the United States Army in Europe. He was a pilot and earned three Bronze Stars for his bravery.
After the war, Julius finished his degree at Tuskegee. He then moved to Harlem and attended Columbia University. He found the large lecture classes difficult. After a few months, he left. In 1946, he moved to Washington, D.C.. He went to graduate school at Howard University to study economics. He enjoyed the smaller classes and visiting professors at Howard.
His first job was as a researcher for the Library of Congress. He wrote papers about economic ideas for Congress. After six years, he started working at the Social Security Administration.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Julius Hobson became a strong activist for civil rights. He was inspired to fight for fair schools when he walked his son past an all-white school. His son had to go to a crowded all-black school farther away. Julius became president of his son's school's parent-teacher association. He argued that white schools should let black students in. This would help with overcrowding in black schools.
Leading Protests and Boycotts
In the 1960s, Julius led the Washington chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality. He organized many sit-ins. These were protests where people would sit in a place and refuse to leave. He also encouraged shoppers to boycott stores that would not hire black employees. A boycott means refusing to buy from a business to make a point.
Julius threatened to boycott the city's bus system. This was because they would not hire black drivers. The bus system soon hired 44 black employees. His group helped end segregation in restaurants in Maryland and Delaware. They also stopped discrimination in public housing in Washington, D.C. They helped make sure private businesses hired black people fairly. Julius believed in non-violence. He felt that violence was never the answer.
When the Congress of Racial Equality removed him, he started a new group. It was called Associated Community Teams.
School Desegregation Lawsuit
Julius Hobson sued the public school system. This happened when his ten-year-old daughter, Jean, was placed in the lowest learning group. In the case of Hobson v. Hansen, he showed the court many charts. These charts proved that the school system spent more money on white students than on black students.
On June 19, 1967, the court agreed with him. They banned discrimination in the District of Columbia Public Schools. They also stopped the system of grouping students by ability. This was a big win for equal education.
Political Career
In 1968, Julius was elected to the District of Columbia Board of Education. He ran for another seat the next year but did not win.
He also protested against Pepco for unfair hiring. He created stamps to put on checks sent to Pepco. These stamps would stop Pepco's computers from processing the checks. A court later ordered him to stop.
In 1969, Julius started the Washington Institute for Quality Education. This group worked to end discrimination in schools. He also taught a class at American University. His students studied how the legal system could solve social problems.
The D.C. Statehood Party was formed to encourage Julius to run for office. He ran for the District's representative in the United States House of Representatives in 1971. He lost that race. In 1974, he was elected to the Council of the District of Columbia. He served on the Council until his death in 1977.
In 1972, Julius Hobson ran for Vice President of the United States. He was the candidate for the People's Party. Benjamin Spock was their Presidential candidate. They did not win many votes.
Personal Life
Julius Hobson met Carol Smith while at Howard University. They married in 1947 and had a son, Julius Hobson Jr. They divorced in 1966.
Three months later, he met Tina Lower. He asked her to marry him on their second date. Tina was from Anaheim, California, and worked for a public affairs group. She had two teenage sons. Julius admired her belief in peace and justice.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1971, Julius was diagnosed with a type of cancer called multiple myeloma. He later also learned he had acute leukemia.
Julius Hobson passed away from leukemia on March 23, 1977, at George Washington University Hospital. At the time of his death, his son, Julius Hobson Jr., was also a member of the District of Columbia Board of Education.
Memorials
Julius Hobson's work and legacy are remembered in Washington, D.C.
- In 1980, some apartment buildings were renovated and renamed the Julius Hobson Plaza Condominiums.
- In 1981, a school was renamed the Julius W. Hobson Middle School. Later, it combined with another school to become Stuart-Hobson Middle School.
Inspiring Quotes
Here are some of Julius Hobson's thoughts:
- On democracy: "In this country, you don't have any democracy really. You have the right to elect but not to select. For example, here's two people: you get to vote for one of them. But you didn't choose in the first place either of them. That's not democracy from what I understand."
- On being a politician: "I am not a politician. A politician is someone who does things to get elected. He's a guy who says things to please the public, that he thinks the public wants to hear, and his story changes with every passing day."
- On justice: "As long as the courts offer justice, there's no excuse for the bomb throwers."
