Essays On The Civil Rights Movement

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." This was said by the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr in his inspirational "I Have a Dream" speech. African Americans continued to feel the hardships of inequality and brutality inspired by discrimination nearly 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Black Americans were restricted when the word "freedom" was granted to them. Jim Crow laws seceded blacks from whites in classrooms, bathrooms, and even blood banks. Leaders begun to emerge from within the black society. MLK, Malcom X, and Rosa Parks were just some of the many leaders who composed...show more content...

The reason for this is that it exhibited that discrimination was unfair and was no longer accepted in society. Distressed individuals began to stand up for themselves, with the Civil Rights movement being their model. This is important because the effects of this movement allowed equality for African Americans and for them to prosper within society. Blacks were now able to use the same bathrooms, drink from the same water fountain, and were able to obtain the same education as a white American. Various amendments were passed which one of them gave blacks the capability to vote. This ensued a powerful movement of Americans coming together to stand up for what they believe in. The individuals who risked their lives to rise against the repression they were subjected to are just as important as the leaders who spoke for them. They helped take down the racial barrier that limited them from opportunities that white Americans took for granted. The movement that changed history is on no account stopping. I say this because, just in recent news, it was made official that gays and lesbians were now granted the right to get married in any of America's 50 states. Individuals within the LBGT community fought for years to gain the respectable right to marry their significant other and feel equal within their nation. Without a doubt, I believe the Civil Rights Movement will evermore show

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The latter part of the Civil Rights Movement was characterized by action and change as it was no longer centralized in the South or only fought for by black individuals. Rather, northerners were active in achieving black equality and the white community was campaigning for integration. Although many lost their lives in this struggle, their valiancy did not go unrewarded and soon enough African Americans were able to vote, work, study, and simply eat lunch beside white individuals.

Despite the great efforts put forth during the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 in which the black community and its supporters refused to use public transportation, transport segregation still remained in some southern states. As a result...show more content...

On May 31, 1961, he filed suit against the University of Mississippi asserting that he had been rejected on racial grounds (Brooks, 187). Much to the dismay of segregationalists, over a year later, in September 1962, a federal court ordered the University of Mississippi to accept James Meredith. Governor Ross Barnett stated that he would never authorize the integration of the university and, after much rioting and violence, Meredith was accompanied by federal marshals and enrolled on October 1, 1962. Because of his determination and the support he had from the government, James Meredith, a regular man with conventional dreams, made it possible for black individuals to seek a higher education.

Events, such as those mentioned above, provided the Civil Rights Movement with a great deal of publicity and revealed the intense violence that these activists were faced with. Another such series of events took place in Birmingham, Alabama in the spring of 1963. Considered to be the most segregated city in the country, Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Ralph D. Abernathy, and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth decided to lead a series of marches and protests here. After being released from jail following his arrest during one of the campaigns, King and others believed that the fight in Birmingham was suffering with a dwindling number of volunteers and little

Digital History Review The Civil Right's Movement of the 60's, 70's, and 80's, was a nation–wide movement for equality amongst races. The website, http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu, features a detailed history of the Civil Right's Movement in Starkville, Mississippi. The website discusses the reasons behind starting the website, writes about the history and demographics of Starkville, Mississippi, lists interviews of witnesses, and gives detailed accounts of the events that took place. The website also features tool for teaching resources and has multiple areas for feedback. All of these things make this website a good source for information about the Civil Right's era. After spending a little bit of time on the website, readers could easily learn a great deal about the Civil Right's Movement and the role Starkville played in the movement. The website's information is easily accessible to the majority of the public...show more content...

The lesson plans look like they would create an engaging teaching environment and makes it easy for educators to have easy access to pre–written lesson plans.There are lesson plans about Jim Crow laws, integration, and the movement as a whole. This allows teachers a variety of options and gives them lesson plans for more than one topic. These resources would be very effective for a high school class because they include multiple activities, powerpoint slides, and worksheets. The oral history lesson plan looks especially interesting because it teaches students about primary and secondary sources of information, while at the same time expanding their knowledge about the Civil Right's Movement. The lesson plans are very well organized and would be easy to utilize in a class. They would definitely allow high–schoolers to gain a better understanding of how the Civil Right's Movement impacted such a small town in the

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"Our problem today is that we have allowed the internal to become lost in the external" –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today's world is based on appearance, and most often the goal is not as important as the means by which it is achieved. Why is this such a 'problem?' Time after time, people come to find that they have wasted their lives working towards a goal which, in the end, was never worth all that work to begin with, or they realize that they could have gone about their actions differently. The people ofmodern Americaare all about living live for the moment, taking risks, not making sacrifices, and never yielding to 'the long run'. Looking at the world of 2015, one can witness the apex of human civilization. Who can...show more content...

In September of 1957, at Little Rock High School, crowds of people against the integration of public schools, prevented nine black students from entering the school. What a waste of time that was. Instead of getting so worked up about who goes to what school, people should have stepped down and kept their opinions, and oppositions inside. This is an example of why ?bottling up? emotions is a good thing.

It is not necessarily one?s appearance that make others not like him, but the things he says and does. Because of this, it is very hard to believe that white people oppressed blacks solely because of skin color. Oppression is wrong no matter what, but certain actions, and the way they were executed, which blacks took to eliminate segregation may have instead fueled hatred from whites. Sit–ins and bus boycotts are all forms of protest and rebellion, no matter how nonviolent they are. The Rosa Parks bus incident in 1955 is a great example of how two sides can escalate conflict. On one hand Rosa Parks refused to be polite and give up her seat, and started a nationwide boycott against public transportation. On the other hand, some white guy has nothing better to do that complain that he can not sit at the front of the bus.

The only thing harder than integrating two races is integrating two races when one side is opposed. Due to, once again internal principles and beliefs (as earlier discussed in this

Thesis Statement:

In this paper, I'm going to explore how the Civil Rights Movement first started, and the brutal events and forms of protest during this monumental moment in history. Looking at first–hand accounts from pivotal figures such as the leaders of the social movement organizations, I can properly recount the conditions and struggles in the fight for equality for African Americans. Covering these topics, I can properly describe the effects that came from each movement and the change that subsequently followed.

Brown v. Board:

The Civil Rights Movement was an event that was long overdue in the fight for equality for African Americans. Even after the abolishment of slavery, the tension and discrimination was very much alive throughout...show more content...

The Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), was a civil rights organization that had worked towards social change in Mississippi. Bob Moses of the SNCC, and other civil rights organizations worked in conjunction with COFO to establish voter registration for African Americans, and to provide programs for education, nicknamed "Freedom Schools". An effective method they used to bring about change which angered the white citizens of Mississippi would be to use white activists to help organize the schools. What truly motivated the black citizens of Mississippi to register to vote would be yet another violent tragedy towards activists. James Chaney, anAfrican Americanactivist who worked with the Freedom Rides and CORE along with white activists Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were murdered while traveling around Mississippi to encourage voting. What made the murders even more of a national outrage is the fact that the corrupt Ku Klux Klan police attempted to cover up the crimes, and that it involved white people. Although this was another horrible moment facing the morale of activists and organizations, the Freedom Summer helped establish many more schools and influenced the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act was an enormous victory for not only African Americans, but for anyone dealing with discrimination such as women, latinos,

Greg: During the 60s, many civil rights movements took place which forever changed the history of America. (Picture of Dark US Flag) Civil rights activists fought for equal rights for all US citizens who were faced with racial discrimination every day. African Americans were especially discriminated; (Picture of African American) they had been fighting for equality since the Civil War. Ordinary people started to join into the Civil rights movement. This forced politicians to take action toward civil rights activists.

Greg: One famous civil rights movement was the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In 1955, Rosa Parks, one of the civil rights activists, was arrested for refusing to give up a seat. (Picture of Rosa Parks) News of her arrest reached the ears of Civil Rights Movement Groups like NAACP (National Association For the Advancement of Colored People). (Picture of NAACP Logo)Along with the news, calls for action came and all African–Americans were asked to not board any bus. The majority of people who rode on buses were African–Americans and without them the buses didn't have enough people to...show more content...

Board of Education of Topeka. Linda Brown was an African American seven–year old student in Topeka, Kansas. In September 1950, Linda Brown was refused to be enrolled by the neighboring school, which insisted that an African–American should not go to the same school as the whites. Her "black" school was farther away from home, the Browns filed suit against the school board, arguing that Linda should be allowed to attend the neighboring school. (Brown v. Board of Education Picture #1) Previously, the Supreme Court had ruled that despite the Fourteenth Amendment's requirement, "separate but equal" shall be allowed in 1896 in the Plessy v. Ferguson case. The judge of the Brown v. Board of Education case, Warren, ruled that the Plessy case involved transportation, not education. He

During 1960s, various groups and individual participated in the anti racist civil rights movement. Many people has suffered for equality in America.but now the real question is was all that protesting and suffering help america?The civil rights movement was a heroic episode in American history. It aimed to give African Americans the same citizenship rights that whites took for granted.It had less complete but still considerable success in combating job and housing discrimination.In my opinion the Civil Right Act has change America history because if it weren't for the Civil Right Act i feel like black people will still suffer even now. They will also be many desegregation still everywhere in the united state. The civil right movement created a more inclusive america. The law made...show more content... Even after King's death, Many people continue with the civil right and if they haven't done that so back then, the world now would have been different. In my opinion there would have been so much hatred and violence because of desegregation. The people who stand against desagregation should be honor because if not for them you and I might not know each other today. We wouldn't have gone to the same school or life in the same neighborhood. Even though the civil right movement act was violence and there was many suffering, it remain history and now it's up to us to stand up against desegregation that is going around in our country and help the people who are helpless.Inequality remains. The average income of black families is still well below that of whites. But we all can work together to prevent that and make everyone equal in our country.The civil rights movement did not achieve complete equality, but greater equality. So that why we need to convince other people to help and work together to get rid of desegregation. There is nothing we can't accomplish if we work together. It will be a great change for our

The Rise Of The Civil Rights Movement

In 1960, there were tremendous of social ferment that was responsible for agitation and protest. Through direct protest, many African Americans, women, and homosexuals were able to gain recognition and break down the walls of discrimination and segregations. Out of the numerous elements that arose in the 1960s, there are three movements that truly affected the American society. Firstly, the rise of the civil rights movement was greatly influenced by racial discrimination of colored people in the South. Secondly, the women's movement aimed to convince the society that women are capable of achieving and maintaining higher waged job like males. Lastly, the gay rights movement aimed to gain acceptance and stop discrimination of homosexuality. The most significant effect on the development of American society was the women's movement and how they expanded their economic and political opportunities. The common goal among African Americans, women's, and homosexuals was to obtain their equal rights as citizens of America and to desegregate all the boundaries between white and black population. The civil rights movement was one of the main elements that were responsible for agitation and protest that greatly expanded in the 1960s. This social movement "originated among black Americans in the South who faced racial discrimination and segregation, or the separation of whites and blacks, in almost every aspect of their lives" ("Protests in the 1960s," 3). There was constant racial

Over the course of the 20th century, multiple influential figures emerged, and many important, revolutionary, and in many cases, devastating events happened. Though parts of our history are very grim, there were many important factors that have had great input on our modern society. One of the most important events of the 20th century was the Civil Rights movement, happening in 1950's – 1960's America. The main goal of this movement was to stop segregation and discrimination of African–Americans, and was famously led by Martin Luther King Jr. This was a very important time in the 20th century, as it improved the lives of people of colour, everywhere. Though there was originally much resistance, the 'white American' society was beginning to understand African–Americans, and rightly begin to treat them as equals. As well as breaking the John Crow segregation act, the Civil Rights movement also made it possible for people of colour to vote, however many black lives were...show more content...

The internet itself now plays an important role in our everyday lives, and has revolutionised both society and education. Following the invention of electronic computers in the 1950's, the main format of the internet (that we still use today) was invented in 1978, before going global in the 1980's. Primarily, the invention of the internet is important, due to how it revolutionised technology, and in such a short amount of time. Thanks to the internet mobile phones, laptops, and developed social media have all been invented, following the global demand during the 1980's. As well as this, the invention of the internet has benefitted society due to the new technology that has sped up general tasks around the home, the spread of news and political topics, and the time used for revision, particularly with students. Just like the Civil Rights movement, without the internet, our modern society would be very

The Civil Rights Movement "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." This was a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. Even one hundred years after slavery was banned, African Americans were still being treated unfairly. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most famous leaders of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's. The Civil Rights movement was a movement of African Americans who felt that they were not being treated equally. There were also many other famous leaders and inspirations during the Civil Rights Movement. This movement was very important to the freedom of African Americans. An influential leader...show more content...

He was born on January 15, 1929. He graduated 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College. He received a doctorate degree from Boston University in 1955. The King family had a history of pastors. His grandfather was a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1931, Martin Luther King Sr. took over the pastor role. In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. became co pastor and remained that until his death in 1968. Before that, in 1954, he became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama. In December of 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. boycotted buses, along with many other African Americans. During these boycotts, his house was bombed, and he was arrested. On December 21, 1956, the Supreme Court declared that the segregation on buses was unconstitutional and blacks and whites traveled on the bus together for the first time. In 1957, he was elected the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This was formed to provide new leadership for the Civil Rights movement. From this time, to the day he died in 1968, he wrote five books and read two thousand and five hundred speeches. He directed the peaceful march on Washington, D.C. He delivered his "I had a dream" speech, where two hundred and fifty thousand people came to listen to him. In 1963, he was named the Man of the Year, by Time magazine. When he was thirty–five years old, he became the youngest person ever to Get more content

A Positive Impact

Throughout the years, minority groups have fought for rights and equal treatment. Some of those have impacted history. Women's rights as well as the Civil rights movements have impacted history and society as a whole. Colored people are no longer suffering of racism. And women have gotten more rights, just like men. Even after all those years have passed, 1969–2000, new groups arise and are fighting for their own rights and equality. It shows how society keeps changing and the impact it had from the past. Lately, is the gays and lesbians one of the most present and fighting groups. Currently impacting and changing society, having some groups with it and others against them. The LBGT social movement has been going on for...show more content...

Meaning a church or even religion doesn't have to get involved. A legal paper saying they are legally married is all they ask. "Take Alabama, where Paul Hard is suing the state for violating his constitutional rights to equal protection and due process following the death of his partner, David Fancher, whom he legally married in Massachusetts. Alabama has a constitutional amendment that forbidssame–sex marriage" (National Public Radio). This shows how gays want just to be recognized as legally married, no church or religion was involved. If society accepts this, it will not just take some of the problems gays and lesbians have, like legally adopt with both parents, but society will be more accepting and more harmony will arise. Not more discrimination for gays and lesbians.

"The South is absolutely embedded and believes wholeheartedly in Christian principles [that marriage is between a man and a woman]..." (National Public Radio). Like stated before, one of the main problems the LBGT movement face is religion. "Our respective religious doctrines hold that marriage between a man and a woman is sanctioned by God as the right and best setting for bearing and raising children," it says. "We believe that children, families, society, and our nation thrive best when husband–wife marriage is upheld and strengthened as a cherished, primary social Get more

During the Civil Rights Movement, there was a famous leader whose protests were peaceful and non–violent. That man was Martian Luther King Jr., but many people have never heard of another Civil Rights leader. Even though his protests were different than King's protests, he did his part and help with equality. This man was Malcolm Little, more famously known asMalcolm X. After a rough upbringing, Malcolm X led protests that differed which ended with his assassination. His protesting didn't start when the Civil Rights Movement started; it started with his rough childhood. He was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born with the name Malcolm Little. His mother was Louise Norton Little. She was a homemaker occupied with the...show more content...

He started thinking about the world and the society he lives in. He began to question the way things were, and he realized that a change in his life, and in the society was both possible and necessary. Prior to his imprisonment, Malcolm had been enclosed in the world of the hustler, the player, the pimp, the gangster, the parasite, and he couldnВ№t imagine him outside of that world. "Reading exposed Malcolm to new worlds; it allowed him to see that there were alternatives to the lifestyle and values of the social parasite" (Shanna). While in prison, Malcolm began to think, and to read. but only after he had been encouraged to do so by someone that he respected and who had taken an unselfish interest in him. "Malcolm was later motivated by a new sense of self–worth and identity and purpose, as his family introduced him to the religious and political philosophy of Islam, as taught by Elijah Muhammad, and practiced by the Nation of Islam (NOI)" (Estate of Malcolm X). Malcolm X converted to the Nation of Islam while in prison, and upon his release in 1952 he abandoned his surname "Little," which he considered a relic of slavery, in favor of the surname "X" a tribute to the unknown name of his African ancestors. Now a free man, Malcolm X traveled to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked with the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, to expand the movement's following among black Americans nationwide. "Malcolm X became the minister of Temple No. 7 in Harlem and

The purpose of this essay is to outline the main events of the African–American Civil Rights Movement. Specifically, the focus will be on the main activists involved in the movement such as Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks and the major campaigns of civil resistance. The Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights in Southern states.African–Americans were able to gain the rights to issues such as equal access to public transportation, right to vote, right to fair trials, and many others. The many movements lasted roughly from 1955 to 1968. During this time African–Americans were constantly degraded and reminded of...show more content...

The driver noticed a white man standing and then demanded her entire row move as blacks were forbidden to sit next to whites. After refusing to move, Rosa Parks was reported to the police and arrested for violating the 'whites first' bus laws. Her case was used to fight segregation laws which pushed for complete desegregation on public transport. 50,000 of Montgomery's African Americans supported the boycott which lasted for 381 days until the local ordinance segregating African–Americans and whites on public buses was lifted. Ninety percent of African Americans in Montgomery took part in the boycotts until a federal court ordered Montgomery's buses desegregated in November 1956. Martin Luther King Jr was a prominent leader in the African–American Civil Rights Movement. A baptist minister, he became a civil rights activist early on. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was planned and pursued by fellow activist leader E.D Nixon and soon led by King. During this time King's house was bombed and he was later arrested. The Freedom Rides were journeys taken by Civil Rights activists on interstate buses into the segregated southern states of America. These were organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the first Freedom Ride left Washington D.C. on May 4, 1961. Activists travelled to the highly segregated South and sought to integrate seating and desegregate bus terminals, restrooms and

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For many years after the Civil War many African–Americans did not truly enjoy the freedoms that were granted to them by the US constitution. This was especially true in the southern states, because segregation flourished in the south wwhere African–Americans were treated as second class citizens. This racial segregation was characterized by separation of different races in daily life, such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a rest room, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home. In addition, Blacks were not afforded justice and fair trials, such as the case of the murder of Emmet Till. This unjust treatment would not be tolerated in America any more, which spurred the...show more content...

The rage of the whites placed their anger on innocent blacks in the form of vicious beating and murderous lynching. Most notably the August 27th 1955, murder of the harmless 14 year old boy named Emmet Till in Money, Mississippi. Emmett from Chicago, was visiting relatives in Mississippi, when he was accused of embarrassing a white store clerk. In result, he was kidnapped from his great–uncle's house in the middle of the night. According to witnesses, they drove him to a weathered shed on a plantation in neighboring Sunflower County, where they brutally beat and then shot him. A fan was placed around his neck was to weigh down his body, which they dropped into the Tallahatchie River. This brutal murder did not do unnoticed, his mother insisted on leaving the casket open for the funeral and allowing people to take photos because she wanted people to see how badly Till's body had been disfigured. In consequence, little Emmett Till's vicious murder sparked the Second Reconstruction, a period when African–Americans once again began holding various political offices, and reasserting and reclaiming their civil and political rights as American citizens. A few months after the Till incident, in Montgomery Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat at the front of the "colored section" of a bus to a white passenger, defying a southern custom of blacks riding in the back of the bus. In response to her arrest the Montgomery black

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The way Americans lived 80 years ago has a significant impact on our society today. Major work from small–town residents during the 1930s, make it possible for Americans to live as comfortably as they do currently. Civil rights were improved and the fields of technology, science, and medicine soared. Ambitious geniuses were improving such topics, but little did they realize that they were actually shaping future American culture.The important achievements and discoveries made during the 1930s made life easier for Americans today. Although the civil rights movement was at its peak during the 1960s, the civil accomplishments made during the 1930s were just as important. The NAACP had the most influence on the movement at the time. Being...show more content...

On account of the actions taken during the 1930s, life for every American nowadays, has been free of prejudice and intolerance. Without the NAACP's achievements for civil rights, life for United States citizens would still be filled with terror and unfair favoritism. Technology advancements during the 1930s include the development of various vehicles and synthetic materials. Glass fibers were produced into tiny strands, twisted in a bobbin, then turned into yarn. The end product is then mixed with plastics and called fiberglass. From the beginning until now of this practical invention, America has been using fiberglass to insulate their homes, manufacture automobiles, and constructed into fishing rods (American Cultural). Ever since the development of fiberglass, small town life in the U.S. has become less complicated. Without this simple invention, homes all over the United States would be still be unheated, and vehicles would be much less secure. On a larger note, in 1939, the Chance Vought and Sikorsky Divisions of the United Technology Corporation were united to produce America's first successful helicopter, the VS–300 (Leishman 7). The new way of transportation was an immediate breakthrough for all of technology all over the world. Although the VS–300 was not able to stay off the ground for long periods of time, it sparked excitement in the hearts of small town people. With helicopters, goods were easily Get more content

This paper will discuss the Black struggle for civil rights in America by examining the civil rights movement's history and reflecting on Blacks' status in contemporary society, will draw upon various related sources to substantiate its argument. The history of Black social change following the Emancipation Proclamation will be provided to show the evolution of the civil rights struggle. Obstacles that impede the movement's chance of success, such as ignorance in both Whites and Blacks, and covert governmental racism will be discussed. The effectiveness of several elements that compose the movement will reveal their progress, and how this has aided the movement as a whole. The paper will conclude that the struggle for equality has...show more content...

This would produce gradual results but would be met with more favorably by Whites, who would therefore be less prone to use violence. His counterpart, W.E.B. Du Bois, advocated a more immediate solution. He wanted the most talented Blacks, such as doctors, lawyers, and other professionals, to lead the their race towards social uplift. In his eyes, this "talented tenth" of the Black population would assume equality on their own terms by leading other Blacks to follow their example. Although their styles differed, Washington and Du Bois articulated a solution to the problem of racism, which laid much of the groundwork for the struggle towards equality. Ensuing generations would use versions of their philosophies to push their message further.

The civil rights movement of 1960s adopted platforms that were similar to those that were created by their predecessors. Nonviolent groups advocated passive resistance, which was similar to Washington?s approach because both worked within the system. Black power groups agreed with Du Bois in that they felt Blacks could assert control over their own destiny.

Groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and Martin Luther King?s Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) used sit–ins and marches and other nonviolent forms of protest. They felt their argument?s moral superiority would demonstrate the unequal treatment between Get more content

The civil rights movement comprised efforts of grassroots activists and national leaders to obtain for African Americans the basic rights guaranteed to American citizens in the Constitution. The key players in succeeding with the civil rights movement were the soldiers returning from the war, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the anti–Vietnam War activists. During the civil rights movement, nearly every African American had experienced segregation at lunch stands. In a Journal by Melvin Small, she stated, "Just as with the segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama the African–American community, especially the segment of college students, had once again reached its saturation...show more content...

College students and lower grade black students helped to stand up against the racial cruelty. Although the war was taking place, students across the nation took advantage of it by protesting nonviolent for justice. This was just a small piece of the puzzle for justice in the United States because the black soldiers played an even bigger role in the success of the movement. Soldiers of WWII had a substantial impact on the civil rights movement. In the book, A Breath of Freedom, it stated, "During World War II the African American population pushed for equality and integration of the United States military, which, at the time, remained in accordance with the culture and customs of the white majority by keeping the two races segregated (HГ¶hn)." The term, separate but equal, made famous by the United States Supreme Court case Plessy vs. Ferguson remained instantiated as the law to abide by in reference to racial policy (HГ¶hn). This concept of keeping both races segregated had permeated across the United States and was the prominent view of most white citizens during this period. Segregation was seen from a white point–of–view as a way for both races to live within the society without racial conflict and tension. Separation of blacks and whites stretched across all societal institutions, including the United States Military. During the closing years of World War II and increasingly thereafter, African American GIs (Government Issued) complained

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In a Democracy the majority does not need any protection, because it is the majority which has control. However, as seen through history, even majorities can be tyrannical, and the minority needs protection from them. "Civil rights" is the term used when speaking of the privileges, immunities, and practices of freedom which are protected from violation by other citizens. That is the definition of civil rights, although when most people think of civil rights they instantly think it means black civil rights. This is understandable since blacks, more than any other minority group in America, have had the toughest and therefore the best known struggle for equal rights. This is due to the fact that most of the majority believed that...show more content...

This all set the stage for the decade of revolution for Blacks in America. Blacks made more gains during the 1960s than they did in all the decades combined since the Civil War. It was kicked off on May 17, l954, which was the day the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. In many ways this triggered an awakening amongst Blacks that they could protest against injustice and achieve results. The legislation passed in the 1960's included the overturn of the hated Plessy v. Ferguson case, and laws outlining the complete integration of blacks with the rest of society with laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Leaders of the civil rights movement of the late 1800's and early 1900's were not as involved, motivated, or as organized as the leaders of the civil rights movement of the 1960's. While Booker T. Washington was successful in helping blacks catapult themselves into contention with whites economically, he lacked the desire to lead blacks to social equality. W.E.B. Du Bois did attempt to lead blacks into social equality, but he lacked adequate support from the black majority. Civil rights leaders of the 1960's, such as Martin Luther King Jr., gathered large numbers of supporters during speeches, encouraging active participation in protests for the social, economical, and political

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Up to the present time, the civil rights movement is a campaign that has been in play for a while. Over several years, different laws have been fabricated to shape a society that has more civil rights. Court cases have taken place that have caused the supreme courts to change laws. Quite a few Supreme Court cases have majorly impacted the civil rights movement: Dred Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Brown v. Board of Education.

Dred Scott v. Sandford was a U.S. Supreme Court Case where the Court supported the idea that since African Americans, free or enslaved, could not be American citizens, they were not able to sue in federal court. As a result, Dred Scott, anAfrican Americanliving in a free state, tried to sue for his freedom, claiming, "his residence in free territory made him a free man." ("Dred Scott v. Sandford", oyez.org). Despite this, the Chief Justice denied Scott. However, many against anti–slavery strongly disagreed with the Court's judgement....show more content... Ferguson. During this time, state laws required racial segregation in public places. This was under the idea of "separate but equal". Plessy, a man classified as colored by Louisiana law, was required to sit in the "colored" railway car. Nevertheless, he purchased a ticket and went onto the "whites only" car, not out of ignorance. He was asked to move to the "colored" car, but he refused, and a private detective arrested him, even though Plessy did not harm anyone, nor harass anyone. In court, Plessy made a petition declaring that "segregation stigmatized blacks and stamped them with a badge of inferiority in violation of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments." ("Plessy v. Ferguson– Case Brief Summary" lawnix.com). Even then, his argument was rejected by the majority vote. Later, it was decided that the Louisiana statute did not interfere with the Fourteenth Amendment, proving that freedom wasn't guaranteed under certain

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Civil Rights Movement in the United States, was a political, legal, and social struggle to gain full citizenship rights for African Americans and to achieve racial equality. The civil rights movement was a challenge to segregation, the system of laws and customs separating blacks and whites.

During the civil rights movement, individuals and organizations challenged segregation and discrimination with a variety of activities, including protest marches, boycotts, and refusal to abide by segregation laws. Some believe that the movement began with the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and ended with the Voting RightsAct of 1965, there is still however some debate about when it began and whether it has ended yet. The civil rights movement...show more content...

Segregated facilities were not as common in the North, but blacks were usually denied entrance to the best hotels and restaurants. Schools in New England were usually integrated, but those in the Midwest generally were not. The most difficult part of Northern life was the intense economic discrimination against blacks.

Blacks fought against discrimination whenever possible. In the late 1800s blacks sued in courts to put an end to separate seating in railroad cars, states disfranchisement of voters, and denial of access to schools and restaurants. One of the cases against segregation was Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that separate but equal accommodations were constitutional.

To protest segregation, blacks created new national organizations. The National Afro–American League, in 1890; the Niagara Movement in 1905; and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. The NAACP became one of the most important black protest organizations of the 20th century. The historian and sociologist W. E. B. Du Bois was one of the early leaders of the NAACP.

In the postwar years, the NAACP's legal strategy for civil rights continued to succeed. They were now led by Thurgood Marshall. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on five cases that challenged elementary– and secondary–school segregation, and in May