Fayette Timeline 1970
April 23, 1970
Source: Press Scimitar, November 06, 1970, Special Collections, University of Memphis Libraries
The Fayette County Board of Education fires 21 teachers without notice or sufficient cause. These teachers had been teaching in predominately black schools. Actions are taken on their behalf, and twelve of them are reinstated.
October and November, 1970
Source: McFerren Family collection.
John McFerren Jr. is bumped into his white teacher, Georgina Fowler, by a young African American female student. Fowler slams him against a wall and demands he receive disciplinary action. McFerren is then ordered to write repetitive sentences; however, at the instruction of his parents, McFerren refuses to comply with the unjustified discipline. He is then expelled. His parents and the NAACP sue on his behalf, and the Board of Education is ordered to end McFerren's suspension and to hire a teacher to help him catch up on school work from his missed time.
John McFerren Jr. Discusses His Expulsion
2002 documentary project on Fayette County, TN: Special Collections, University of Memphis Libraries.