...Struggles of the Civil Rights Movement Jason Mitchell Southern New Hampshire University The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was a powerful political movement that not only spurred for change for the people of the African American race, but for other minority races as well. This movement peaked in the 1950’s and lasted through the ending of the 1960s. Through the numerous arrests of individuals, protests, and sit-ins around the country, marchers for a better way of living marched on. The main country that was mostly affected by the Civil Rights Movement was the United States of America. The 1954 decision of Brown v. Board of Education, 1963 March on Washington was just a corner piece of one of the biggest movement to ever happen in the US. One of America’s most notable court cases, Brown v. Board of Education, changed the mindset of so many people. From December 1952-May 1954 the case brought different viewpoints that supported the case, but it also brought negative support as well. Before the 1954 decision that ruled separate educational institutions unequal, that was the court case of Plessy vs. Ferguson of 1896 that argued that state laws should establish separate public schools for black and white children. Many people thought that Plessy vs. Ferguson was the backstage scene for the Civil Rights Movement, but others disagree. The “Separate but Equal” idea remained in America until the historic case of Brown v. Board of Education. The Civil Rights Movement called for...
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...The Civil Rights Movement was a time of social change in America. Slavery had been abolished but African Americans still lacked rights. With all the injustices a change needed to happen, and for this, many brave people were needed. Brave people who wanted change and were willing to do whatever was necessary to get it, to fight for the belief that all men were created equal and that they should be treated that way. Some of these key figures in the Civil Rights Movement were Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. Jackie Robinson helped shape and influence the Civil Rights Movement. In the 1940’s, baseball was considered America’s game, and baseball was right at the heart of all Americans. Baseball at this time had an...
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...will turn to the spiritual path of truth — the only way left to America to ward off the disaster that racism inevitably must lead to.” Malcolm and the Civil Rights Movement 4 of 4 Although they only met once, Malcolm X was often asked his opinion of Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. Initially scornful of King and his strategies, Malcolm later began to recognize the worth of -- and even began tentative participation in -- the movement. Same Problem, Different Directions Near the end of his life, Malcolm X publicly recognized that "Dr. King wants the same thing I want -- freedom!" But for most of his ministry he did not identify with King and the civil rights movement. Although both Black Muslims and King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference had the same general goals of defeating white racism and empowering African Americans, Malcolm and King had different tended to speak at different venues (street corners vs. churches) and had different aims. Malcolm, who would publicly deny that he was even an American, worked for a Nation of Islam that sought to create a separate society for its members. Malcolm rejected integration with white America as a worthwhile aim (deriding it as "coffee with a cracker") and particularly opposed non-violence as a means of attaining it. "That's what you mean by non-violent," he said, "be defenseless." In Malcolm's mind, the African...
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...Martin Luther King, Jr. vs. Malcolm X The civil rights movement was a social and legal struggle to gain full citizenship rights for African Americans. There were many different leaders and influential people that helped throughout the civil rights movement. There was not one specific event that triggered this movement, but arguably a confluence of events triggered the modern civil rights movement. Events such as; the murder of Emmit Till in 1955, Rosa Parks and the refusal to give up her seat in 1955, and the legal victories in the Brown cases in 1954-55. Boycotts, sit – ins, protest marches, and refusal to abide by segregation laws were the activities the civil rights organizations and people took part in to show that something needed to be changed. Most of these events and activities took place in the south, where the segregation laws were persisted. Two very influential men and leaders of groups and organizations were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. They led protests and other civil rights movements events in hope for freedom. Both of them were great speakers and knew how to get people to follow them. These two leaders had different types strategies when it came to leading the African American organizations. December 1st, 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white male on a Montgomery bus, and was arrested and put in jail. This led to boycotts from the buses and marked the beginning of the modern civil rights movement and also put Martin Luther...
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...Rights and Protest – Different Perspectives Both leaders were crucial to the movements in both South Africa and the United States of America. To begin, both leaders saw the oppression of their government towards it African American community and took different paths and used different methods to fight against the system. Both leaders used their platforms to shine light on the injustice in their communities and why their protests were disobeying the laws and why the protestors had justice and God on their side. That is why in the Birmingham letter, Martin Luther King Jr. was upset with the clergy man for not understanding the context of the situation. Both MLK and Nelson Mandela are criticized for their methods, for instance MLK is criticized by the clergy men. He goes on to...
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...Kenya Davis Ms. Howard Sociology 02 March 2016 MLK Jr vs Malcolm X Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X had many similarities and differences when it came to their roles in the civil rights movement. A huge similarity of the two is they fought hard for their people with getting treated bad. They both wanted to see black people in the best position possible. Risking their lives everyday for the rights they felt they deserve. They were both assassinated because of their leadership role positions they played during this time. Even though they had different beliefs/religions, both their religions played a significant role in their approaches. They both had the greatest impact on the civil rights movement during the 1960s. One of the main reasons why Malcolm X and MLK Jr is different is their approach to the civil rights movement. While MLK Jr wanted to keep the peace and have a non-violent protest, Malcolm X was very opposite. Malcolm X felt that if they wanted to be violent then so should his people. Also, MLK Jr thought more of people being equal and Malcolm X was more for his people being in high power and being controlled by themselves. Also, their religion was a extremely huge difference and had an impact on the way they went about things. MLK Jr grew up in a Christian home where his parents stressed necessary things such as education and religion. Malcolm X converted to Islam after being arrested for drugs and burglary. His outlook on things were far more violent...
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...slaves. African Americans were brought to North America via the middle passage which originated during the fifteenth century. They were enslaved for approximately 400 hundred years until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Although African Americans were enslaved in America, they were determine to survive and one day be freed in this great country. During The African American’s journey to freedom several significant events took place which was inclusive of but not limited to: The Civil Rights Movement of 1865-1877, Separate but Equal Legislation (Plessy vs. Ferguson court case) in 1896, The Harlem Renaissance of 1920, Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, The March on Washington Movement of 1963, and The Black Power Movement of the late 1960s and 1970. I will discuss the significance of these events in relation to the African American journey to freedom and how they have help shape American society today. THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF 1865-1877 Frequently when one hears of the Civil Rights Movement we automatically think of the Civil Rights events that had taken place in the 1950-1970s. However, the Civil Rights Movement actually began in the 1860-1870s immediately following the Conclusion of the Civil War. After hundreds of years of enslavement of African Americans, the Civil War was fought with the intent to abolish slavery. The winning of the...
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...Sixties I 1. A Movement in Motion a. Turning Trend i. On 1960, students from North Carolina A&T State University, entered a department store, sat at the counter and refused to leave the white’s only section 1. Names: Joseph McNeil, Ezell Blair Jr., Franklin McCain, and David Richmond – members of CORE, Congress of Racial Equality (1942) ii. They utilized sit in agitation, and did so for five months iii. Other Protests 1. A Phillip Randolph – march on Washington 1941 2. Ruth Powell, Marianne Musgrave and Juanita Marrow arrest caused the formation of a Civil Rights Committee from campus organization leaders a. Organized sit ins on April 1943 at Little Palace Cafeteria on 14th U b. April 1944 a sit in took place at Thompsons Restaurant at 11th and Pennsylvania Ave – 2 weeks i. 56 students sat in, while representatives negotiated with the management 3. But these events did not become common knowledge within the media 4. In 1943, Core had started with sit-ins in The Jack Spratt Coffee House, in Chicago a. This was settled within a day by police officers b. This event also was viewed as regional – moment vs. movement b. Moment to Movement i. What does this mean? 1. Moments to Movements a. Irene Morgan vs. Rosa Parks i. Morgan refused to give up her seat in 1944 and was arrested ii. She went to the Supreme Court, and won iii. Morgan vs. Commonwealth of Virginia...
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...Political Ignorance: Hatred amongst African Americans in US History Tia Taylor Eth 125 Political Ignorance: Hatred amongst African Americans in US History Thanks for visiting the Blogsite again. You may think this will be just another opinionated article on African American culture being posted because it’s voting season. In fact, you’re correct. This article was dedicated to provide a realistic inside look into the history of the African American culture because there is a trend of American citizens stating they are voting for Obama because he is black. There are quite a few who have no other reason as to why they are voting for him other than that and since they may not be able to explain their answer, maybe this will help those that are angry and/or confused. Yes, it is quite simple minded to say you’re voting for Obama because he is black. It is also quite simple minded to say a person who said that is ignorant. In fact, we must remember that those who state that may have happened to grow up under a long ancestry of racism and hate just as the white kid down the street who draws Nazi symbols on his desk at school. Just like him and his older brother who might be a prejudice employee at his job, it’s not their fault they are that way. It was their environment and maybe if you understand a person’s environment and their background, you will understand why statements like this are being made all over social media websites. I’ll make these breakdowns as short and simple...
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...different from the white people. The National Association for the advancement of coloured people (NAACP). They were a black group that demanded civil rights for black people. Its mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination; To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of coloured citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law. Racial segregation is separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, and going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home. The black American people was segregated and this was mostly because they felt that black people was more inferior to the white people. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was a racist anti-Semitic movement; at first the Ku Klux Klan focused its anger and violence on African-Americans, on white Americans who stood up for them, and against the federal government which supported their rights. Subsequent incarnations of the Klan, which typically emerged in times of rapid social change, added more categories to its enemies list, including...
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...for indigenous equality as well as for African Americans especially as the media gave large exposure of the injustices against the African-Americans and the Aborigines. This brought a big opportunity for the Indigenous Australians to surge in their cause for land rights and recognition of their ownership of the land. The freedom rides of the U.S were a enormous factor in bringing a push for activism, equality, recognition and peaceful protest for Indigenous Australians. This thesis will be further backed through the body paragraphs about the 1961 US Freedom Rides, the influence on Australian freedom rides and other peaceful protests and the influence on Aboriginal activism and Recognition. On May 4, 1961, a group of 13 African-American and white civil rights activists launched the Freedom Rides, a series of bus trips through the American South to protest segregation in interstate bus terminals. Led by CORE Director James Farmer, the 13 riders (seven black, six white) left Washington, DC, on Greyhound and Trail ways buses. Although it had started in 1961 it followed on to other years to challenge the non-enforcement of the United States Supreme Court decisions Irene Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (1946) and Boynton vs. Virginia (1960), which ruled...
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...Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born January 15, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia. King, both a Baptist minister and civil-rights leader, had a huge impact on the Racial relations in the United States, starting in the mid 1950’s. With many efforts, King led the SCLC. Threw his activism, he played a major part in ending segregation of African-American citizens in the United States. Not only did her help end segregation he also created the civil rights act of 1964 and the voting rights act of 1965. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, along with receiving many other honors. King was assassinated in April of 1968, and is remembered as one of the most lauded African-American leaders in history. During the early years Martin...
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...The song is her response to the murder of Medgar Evers in Mississippi; and the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four black children. On the recording she cynically announces the song as "a show tune, but the show hasn't been written for it yet". The song begins jauntily, with a show tune feel, but demonstrates its political focus early on with its refrain "Alabama's got me so upset, Tennessee's made me lose my rest, and everybody knows about Mississippi goddam". In the song she rails on the common argument at the time that civil rights activists and African Americans should "go slow" and make changes in the United States incrementally: "Keep on sayin' 'go slow'...to do things gradually would bring more tragedy. Why don't you see it? Why don't you feel it? I don't know, I don't know. You don't have to live next to me, just give me my equality!" Feldstein demonstrates Simone’s increasing politicization through textual analysis of songs like “Mississippi Goddam”, her involvement with various organizations, and her on-stage embrace of African culture and clothing. Feldstein analysis describes Simone’s denunciation of the “going slow” and outspoken criticism of gradual change in race relations in the early 1960s, much before the traditionally-held rise of black power or second-wave feminism in the late 1960s and 1970s. Feldstein presents accounts of her fundraising benefits for SNCC, CORE, NAACP and other groups to show her desirability as a performer whose...
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...activist for Civil Rights, Bayard Rustin is mostly remembered for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which has been one of the most famous of the non-violent marches in United States history. He had used Gandhi’s tactics of non-violence by introducing it to the American civil rights movement, while at the same time, bringing Martin Luther King, Jr. to the forefront as the focal point for nonviolence and peace. Despite the achievements that Rustin had accomplished during his career as an activist, he was beaten, silenced, imprisoned, and fired from different organizations mainly because of the fact that he was a gay man living at a time that homosexuality was not only frowned upon, but also it was outlawed. In this paper, I will explain all the contributions that Bayard Rustin had made to the Civil Rights movement during the mid to late 20th century and why he is not given credit for the other activities that he was responsible for. Writers and historians such as Lawrence Freedman have stated that Bayard Rustin was content with his status as an “intellectual engineer behind the scenes” 1. In their view, Rustin was a powerful man with such a powerful political philosophy that the leadership at the time had begun to constrict him. Other historians have argued that the main reason why Rustin was written out of the history books is because he stayed true to a social agenda that had benefited all groups who were oppressed at the time that the civil rights movement had grown...
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...the nation search for ways to establish true meaning of equality, African-American people continued to struggle to find out just what equality means and to have the same rights and freedom as the white people in the nation. Whether as slaves or free people, the political and social status of African Americans has always been to obtain the ability to participate in the nation’s economy. While many historians believe that slavery and politics can be attributed to the Civil War, more than 600,000 Americans died and with the help of the Emancipation Proclamation to start the motion to free the slaves, America became even more a divided country in 1865 than the previous earlier years (Bowles, 2011). Although freedom in the post-Civil War years did not guarantee equality, African Americans continued to struggle from racism, segregation and discrimination for many years, but the birth of equality is beginning to grow and show that all men and women are created equal. The effort to integrate African Americans (ex-slaves) in the American society after the war, known as the Reconstruction Period, was a very difficult task and while the country was divided between the North and South, racism was still very much alive. The end of the Civil War was supposed to mean the end of slavery and the beginning of equal rights for all former slaves; however, plantation owners found it difficult...
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