Maurice Pennington was a photographer and cartoonist for The Atlanta Inquirer during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. A talented multimedia artist, Pennington documented the boycotts, sit-ins, and the arrests of students, commenting critically on the political and social climate in Atlanta through cartoons - skewering local politicians, admonishing Black leaders for their accommodationist views, and reminding his audience of the incompatibility of segregation and democracy. All works in this collection either are protected by copyright or are the property of the Robert W. Woodruff Library, and/or the copyright holder as appropriate. To order a reproduction or to inquire about permission to publish, please contact the Archives Research Center at: archives@auctr.edu with the web URL or handle identification number.
Mar 23, 2020

Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection

Maurice Pennington was a photographer and cartoonist for The Atlanta Inquirer during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. A talented multimedia artist, Pennington documented the boycotts, sit-ins, and the arrests of students, commenting critically on the political and social climate in Atlanta through cartoons - skewering local politicians, admonishing Black leaders for their accommodationist views, and reminding his audience of the incompatibility of segregation and democracy.

All works in this collection either are protected by copyright or are the property of the Robert W. Woodruff Library, and/or the copyright holder as appropriate. To order a reproduction or to inquire about permission to publish, please contact the Archives Research Center at: archives@auctr.edu with the web URL or handle identification number.
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Julian Bond listens to a RCA phonograph with the trademark RCA dog listening along. Bond is gripping newspapers with headlines reading " Rep. Elect Barred From Georgia Legislature. Julian Bond Refused Seat." Written on recto, emitting from the phonograph: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." (a quote from Francois Voltaire). Titled on recto: "His Master's Voice". Artist marked as Holloway.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"His Master's Voice", circa 1966
Date Created
1965/1967
Description
Julian Bond listens to a RCA phonograph with the trademark RCA dog listening along. Bond is gripping newspapers with headlines reading " Rep. Elect Barred From Georgia Legislature. Julian Bond Refused Seat." Written on recto, emitting from the phonograph: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." (a quote from Francois Voltaire). Titled on recto: "His Master's Voice". Artist marked as Holloway.
Subject
African American civic leaders, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African American civil rights workers
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
An Atlanta Life calendar featuring a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. and his family.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
Atlanta Life Calendar, 1964
Date Created
1964
Description
An Atlanta Life calendar featuring a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. and his family.
Subject
African American families, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man with chains on his wrists stands between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln (and their famous quotes). Written on recto: "...we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal..." "...a new nation conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal..."
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln", circa 1963
Date Created
1962/1964
Description
A man with chains on his wrists stands between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln (and their famous quotes). Written on recto: "...we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal..." "...a new nation conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal..."
Subject
Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Slavery, Presidents
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
View of two men on marionette strings with money dangling in front of them.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Puppets", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
View of two men on marionette strings with money dangling in front of them.
Subject
Art, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A drawing depicting an African American man with his hands tied hanging from a tree.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Strange Fruit", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A drawing depicting an African American man with his hands tied hanging from a tree.
Subject
Art, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Lynching
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
Three characters identified as "Filth," "Crime," and "Disease" stand below in the hands of a house-like figure labeled "Slums". Written on recto: "Meet Some of My Growing Family".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"...Meet Some of My Growing Family", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
Three characters identified as "Filth," "Crime," and "Disease" stand below in the hands of a house-like figure labeled "Slums". Written on recto: "Meet Some of My Growing Family".
Subject
Crime, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Housing, Poverty, Slums
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
An African American man and woman hold signs reading: "We Demand Equal Respect and Justice", and "We are too Proud to Continue Accepting Segregation". Below them is a quote from Abraham Lincoln that reads: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under a just God cannot long retain it".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Equal Respect and Justice", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
An African American man and woman hold signs reading: "We Demand Equal Respect and Justice", and "We are too Proud to Continue Accepting Segregation". Below them is a quote from Abraham Lincoln that reads: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under a just God cannot long retain it".
Subject
Demonstrations, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, African Americans--Segregation, Art, Race discrimination
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A police officer talks to a judge in a courtroom, while retaining a battered African American man by the shoulder. Written on recto: "He Talked 'Uppity', Your Honor, So Ah Jest Grabbed Mah Club, and Set About Defendin' Myself".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"He Talked 'Uppity'", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A police officer talks to a judge in a courtroom, while retaining a battered African American man by the shoulder. Written on recto: "He Talked 'Uppity', Your Honor, So Ah Jest Grabbed Mah Club, and Set About Defendin' Myself".
Subject
Police brutality, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Civil rights, Race discrimination
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man identified as "Negro leadership" sleeps at a switch marked "Racial Progress" which is set to the off position. Meanwhile, in the background, spiderweb-covered gears marked as "employment", "police brutality", "housing", and "school integration" remain stagnate.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Asleep?", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A man identified as "Negro leadership" sleeps at a switch marked "Racial Progress" which is set to the off position. Meanwhile, in the background, spiderweb-covered gears marked as "employment", "police brutality", "housing", and "school integration" remain stagnate.
Subject
African Americans--Social conditions, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Political participation
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A fireman representing "Some of Us" hoses gasoline from a "Pump of 'Still Buying'" on the fires of a house marked "Equal Opportunities" with flames of "Segregation". Meanwhile, African American students work to put out the fire with water. Written on recto: "Fire Fighters?"
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Fire Fighters?", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A fireman representing "Some of Us" hoses gasoline from a "Pump of 'Still Buying'" on the fires of a house marked "Equal Opportunities" with flames of "Segregation". Meanwhile, African American students work to put out the fire with water. Written on recto: "Fire Fighters?"
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, African Americans--Segregation, Art, African Americans--Social conditions, African American students
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A white man holds a lit package of dynamite outside of a blown-up school building. Written on recto: "It Takes Guts To Do This".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"It Takes Guts To Do This", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A white man holds a lit package of dynamite outside of a blown-up school building. Written on recto: "It Takes Guts To Do This".
Subject
Art, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
Two African American women talk in a department store, one with a toddler that holds onto a cup. Written on recto: "When I Asked About a 'Rest Room' for Junior They Stuck That in His Hand".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Restroom for Junior", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
Two African American women talk in a department store, one with a toddler that holds onto a cup. Written on recto: "When I Asked About a 'Rest Room' for Junior They Stuck That in His Hand".
Subject
African American children, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Race discrimination, African American women
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A clock pendulum with a white man and an African American man's face on opposite sides symbolizing patience swings back and forth.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"...Must Swing Both Ways To Work", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A clock pendulum with a white man and an African American man's face on opposite sides symbolizing patience swings back and forth.
Subject
Race relations, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Civil rights movements
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
Lester Maddox behind the wheel of a car gestures to an African American man standing on the sidewalk to get in the back of his car marked "Colored Only". The African American man is identified as Senator Johnson and Friends. Written on recto: Get in Boy!
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Get In Boy!", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
Lester Maddox behind the wheel of a car gestures to an African American man standing on the sidewalk to get in the back of his car marked "Colored Only". The African American man is identified as Senator Johnson and Friends. Written on recto: Get in Boy!
Subject
Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Segregation
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man holds a loose rope in his arms with signs behind him reading: "So Called 'Good' White South", and "Fear Alibis". Written on recto: "I'm Sitting Out All Racial Matters Because My Hands Are Tied Tight".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"So Called 'Good' White South", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A man holds a loose rope in his arms with signs behind him reading: "So Called 'Good' White South", and "Fear Alibis". Written on recto: "I'm Sitting Out All Racial Matters Because My Hands Are Tied Tight".
Subject
Race relations, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Race discrimination
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man chases a young African American schoolgirl with a bat. Written on recto: "Southern Hospitality".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Southern Hospitality", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A man chases a young African American schoolgirl with a bat. Written on recto: "Southern Hospitality".
Subject
Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Education, African American children
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A boxer symbolizing the "Law of the Land" holds back another smaller white boxer symbolizing the "South's Tradition on Race". Written on recto: "Over-Matched!".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Over Matched!", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A boxer symbolizing the "Law of the Land" holds back another smaller white boxer symbolizing the "South's Tradition on Race". Written on recto: "Over-Matched!".
Subject
Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A dark figure marked "Merchants" opens a door labeled "Back Door Deals". Written on recto: "_Pst-tt!".Crime
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"_Pst-tt!", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A dark figure marked "Merchants" opens a door labeled "Back Door Deals". Written on recto: "_Pst-tt!".Crime
Subject
Crime, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A crow identified as "Jim Crow Housing" is impaled with a pen labeled "JFK Federal Funds".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Jim Crow Housing", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A crow identified as "Jim Crow Housing" is impaled with a pen labeled "JFK Federal Funds".
Subject
Race discrimination, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Housing
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A white man with a club holds an African American woman in a chokehold while an African American police officer looks on and calls for backup. Written on recto: "Psst...Hang on Lady, I Just Called a White Policeman".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Psst...Hang on Lady, I Just Called a White Policeman", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A white man with a club holds an African American woman in a chokehold while an African American police officer looks on and calls for backup. Written on recto: "Psst...Hang on Lady, I Just Called a White Policeman".
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Crime, Race discrimination
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man representing a Confederate stabs Lady Liberty with a sword labeled "Segregation". Written on recto: "Take That Y'u Foreigner".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Take That Y'u Foreigner", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A man representing a Confederate stabs Lady Liberty with a sword labeled "Segregation". Written on recto: "Take That Y'u Foreigner".
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, African Americans--Segregation, Art, Race discrimination
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
View of a white man firing an African American porter at a downtown store where other African Americans protest outside holding signs that read "No Jim Crow". Written on recto: "You're Fired!".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"You're Fired!", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
View of a white man firing an African American porter at a downtown store where other African Americans protest outside holding signs that read "No Jim Crow". Written on recto: "You're Fired!".
Subject
Demonstrations, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Race discrimination, African Americans--Employment
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A diverse group of men including a businessman, pastor, and construction worker, hold signs that read: "United For Freedom". Written on recto: Community Effort.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Community Effort", circa 1962
Date Created
1961/1963
Description
A diverse group of men including a businessman, pastor, and construction worker, hold signs that read: "United For Freedom". Written on recto: Community Effort.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
View of a newer house facade with a deteriorating home behind it. Written on recto: "Slums...Beautiful Atlanta"
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Beautiful Atlanta", circa 1962
Date Created
1960/1964
Description
View of a newer house facade with a deteriorating home behind it. Written on recto: "Slums...Beautiful Atlanta"
Subject
Art, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
Ivan Allen Jr. jumps on a pogo stick across a checkered floor marked with various political decisions: "For County Unit System", "Quit That", "Quit This", "Change of Heart", "Relocate All Negroes". "For Police State", "Running For Mayor", "Social Conscienceless or Consciousness??", "Not for Governor", and "For Governor".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Pogo Stick Allen", circa 1961
Date Created
1960/1962
Description
Ivan Allen Jr. jumps on a pogo stick across a checkered floor marked with various political decisions: "For County Unit System", "Quit That", "Quit This", "Change of Heart", "Relocate All Negroes". "For Police State", "Running For Mayor", "Social Conscienceless or Consciousness??", "Not for Governor", and "For Governor".
Subject
Race relations, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Mayors
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A white man symbolizing Atlanta Negro Voters' League with an "I'm for Ivan [Allen Jr.]" button force-feeds an African American man symbolizing "Negro Voters" medicine from a bottle marked "Political Decision".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Negro Voters", circa 1961
Date Created
1960/1962
Description
A white man symbolizing Atlanta Negro Voters' League with an "I'm for Ivan [Allen Jr.]" button force-feeds an African American man symbolizing "Negro Voters" medicine from a bottle marked "Political Decision".
Subject
Political participation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Voting
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A nurse carries a large package labeled "Hospital Overload" while a man labeled "Hospital Officials" sits on top with a whip.
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Hospital Overload", circa 1961
Date Created
1960/1962
Description
A nurse carries a large package labeled "Hospital Overload" while a man labeled "Hospital Officials" sits on top with a whip.
Subject
African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Health and hygiene
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man symbolizing the Student-Adult Committee [Atlanta Student Movement] sits at a switchboard labeled "Ever-Ready". The labels on the switchboard read: "Equal Rights", "Employment", "School Desegregation", "Sit-Ins", "Lunch Counters", and "Boycott". Written on recto: "Lines of Communication Open".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Lines of Communication Open", circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1961
Description
A man symbolizing the Student-Adult Committee [Atlanta Student Movement] sits at a switchboard labeled "Ever-Ready". The labels on the switchboard read: "Equal Rights", "Employment", "School Desegregation", "Sit-Ins", "Lunch Counters", and "Boycott". Written on recto: "Lines of Communication Open".
Subject
African Americans--Segregation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Civil rights, African Americans--Employment, African American student movements
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A wealthy Black man knocks on a back side alley door marked "Downtown Luxury Store - Colored Customers", while the man's chauffeur looks on in disgrace. Written on recto: "Some People Never Learn".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Some People Never Learn", circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1961
Description
A wealthy Black man knocks on a back side alley door marked "Downtown Luxury Store - Colored Customers", while the man's chauffeur looks on in disgrace. Written on recto: "Some People Never Learn".
Subject
African Americans--Social conditions, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Segregation, Race discrimination, African Americans--Economic conditions
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A young man labeled "Negro Pupils" stands freezing in the snow in tattered clothes chained to a ball marked "Segregation". Just out of reach is a fire burning with fuel logs labeled as "Transportation", "Trade and Industrial Training", "Libraries", "County Funds", and Maintenance". Written on recto: "Held Back".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Held Back", circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1961
Description
A young man labeled "Negro Pupils" stands freezing in the snow in tattered clothes chained to a ball marked "Segregation". Just out of reach is a fire burning with fuel logs labeled as "Transportation", "Trade and Industrial Training", "Libraries", "County Funds", and Maintenance". Written on recto: "Held Back".
Subject
African Americans--Segregation, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, African Americans--Education, African American students
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A white farmer representing "Union County" and Uncle Sam holding papers reading "Sinking U.S. Prestige Report" turn an African American military worker and a maid away from an area marked federal land. Written on recto: "Git!".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"Git!", circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1961
Description
A white farmer representing "Union County" and Uncle Sam holding papers reading "Sinking U.S. Prestige Report" turn an African American military worker and a maid away from an area marked federal land. Written on recto: "Git!".
Subject
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Armed Forces, Race discrimination
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
A man symbolizing "You" stands in between campaign posters for John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Written on recto: "The Man or the Party?".
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection
"The Man or the Party?", circa 1960
Date Created
1959/1961
Description
A man symbolizing "You" stands in between campaign posters for John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Written on recto: "The Man or the Party?".
Subject
Voting, African Americans--Politics and government, Political cartoons, Art, Political participation
Collection
Maurice Pennington Political Cartoon Collection