Legendary singer Nat “King” Cole was violently attacked by a group of white men while performing on stage at the Birmingham Municipal Auditorium in Alabama. Despite being a popular entertainer, Cole was targeted simply for being a Black man performing before a racially mixed audience. The attackers were later described by authorities as “very intelligent men,” a disturbing reflection of the era’s deep-seated racism and how white supremacy cut across social classes. Cole was injured but continued his performance career, becoming an enduring symbol of grace under pressure and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
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