Five African-American celebrities who risked their careers by joining the civil rights struggle

There is a personal cost that comes for those who put themselves to the cause of the people. If anyone knows this, it is the African-American entertainers involved in the civil rights struggle.

Working in industries controlled by moneyed men who may not necessarily like the distraction of social causes, black celebrity men and women put their careers on the line in the 1950s and 60s especially.

We may not know what happened to them behind closed doors, but it is not unreasonable to say they had to answer some questions.

This is especially so when black people in the United States have historically been expected to shut up and entertain or play sports.

These are, however, five actors and musicians who dared to fight for civil rights.