Racial Equality

Was “Separate but Equal” really equal? In many states colored people were not treated equal, many were discriminated against and many children were not treated fairly. Their schools and learning conditions were terrible, many of there schools didn’t even have running water. Houston, Charles H. states in his article that many African Americans were referred to as second class citizens. Many colored people were separated from whites by the laws put in place; such as “separate but equal” and many others. There were many groups that stood up against these laws such as the NAACP which held many protests. These groups also stood up against many laws such as “separate but equal”. The Passing of “separate but equal” laws was unfair to blacks it’s discrimination lead to the Brown v. Board of Education case that had a positive result because public schools were desegregated.

The Civil Rights Movement African Americans were never treated the same as other Americans. One day a black man who looked white named Homer Plessy got sick of sitting in a Jim Crow car so he decided to purchase a first class ticket in the white’s only section on the train. Plessy told the conductor that he was 1/8 black and he refused to move from the car. Removed from the train Plessy was in jail overnight and was released on a 500 dollar bond. Homer Plessy protested that his 13th and his 14th amendments rights were violated. This case became known as Plessy v. Ferguson. This case upheld the constitutionality of segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.

In certainty, the model of racial equality has not always been performed, nor has it been fully accomplished in the world. This is because the acceptance in racial equality has been said to “counter” deeply rooted beliefs in racial inequality and political, legal, and customary practices of racial discrimination and

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY 5 Equality and Diversity: A New Approach to Gender Equality Policy in the UK According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission First Triennial Review 2010 “The Equality Act 2010 complements and builds on the provisions of the Equality Act 2006, which itself strengthened several aspects of discrimination law and set out the roles and responsibilities of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.”

Segregation was very common in the North and South Americas during the time of reconstruction. Reconstruction was the time that followed the Civil War. Through the Civil War, African Americans had earned the right to become citizens of the United States and could even vote. However, this was a huge change that the people in the south found it difficult to follow these laws. African Americans still faced racial discrimination. Eventually, segregation took place and African Americans and whites were separated. Many activists during this time attempted to help end segregation. The Plessy vs. Ferguson case is an example of a man trying to end and point out the unfairness of segregation. Plessy was one eighth African American and looked white. However,

Throughout American history, the fight for racial equality amongst society has had it’s ups and downs especially during the Civil Rights Movement. John Lewis, a civil rights leader, delivered “Speech at the March on Washington” in occurred during the 1960s America where racial discrimination was at it’s highest. This mostly caught the attention of the younger generation of the 1960s and the black community, which had a more vigilant tone. Lewis’ purpose for this speech is to inform the American citizens that African Americans want reform to protect themselves from harm. Lewis’ main claims he wanted his speech to symbolize is that all races should have the right to hold equal laws and freedom like any other white citizen had.

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) used a form of protest by union workers called sit-ins. After it was successful with CORE 4 African Americans Joseph McNeil, Ezell Blair, Jr, David Richmond and Franklin McCain suggested a sit in Woolworth department store. They were afraid, but they did it. They entered and bought supplied, then sat at the lunch counter and ordered coffee. The people there wouldn’t service them, but serviced them on the other counter. The four stayed until they closed and said they would do that every day until they were serviced. They left the Woolworth exited and persuaded by what they did. This convinced more and more African American to sit-in and wait until they were serviced. The NAACP and SClC were nervous about the sit-in campaign.

The barriers that separate men have existed for centuries. Race, class, status, these are all ideas that have created a divide among humans. This divide creates competition and tension. Throughout the history of the legal system, justice has been used to validate slavery and other forms of racial inequality. Our system now has changed, but the basic concept has remained the same. According to one study, the judicial system was invented by whites to protect whites and keep people of color at bay (Constitutional Rights Foundation, 2017, p1). This idea of preserving a one superior racial system resulted in a bias still existent today.

The African American civil rights movement was a long journey for African American nationwide. The success involved many people, hardships and time in order to advance the African American community in America. The purpose of the movement was to achieve their rights, cease discrimination, and racial segregation. During the

Blacks were segregated and discriminated against, Williams says that there was much prejudice in America against black people that was legitimized by the Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court ruling that forced them to use separate and usually inferior facilities. This spired the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or (NAACP) movement. Also, the article OLDEST AND BOLDEST explains that the NAACP fought for black civil right, against injustices, racial violence, and discrimination and by 1918 there were 44,000 members. Unwilling to settle for the old ways any longer the members of NAACP and Harlem Renaissance ran next to each other both working together to the united-goal. Over the years this movement gained momentum which that led to the Supreme Court decision of 1954 in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared the doctrine of “separate but equal” to be unconstitutional. The article NAACP from History.com says how that today there approximately 425,000

1. What is meant by diversity? Diversity means differences and variations, within in people for example different races, beliefs, physical appearances, age, capabilities, customs and gender and class.

There were several social movements in the historical backdrop of the United States. One movement that stood out the most is the civil rights movement. African Americans and whites alike battled for social equality against the bigotry of the American culture amid the mid twentieth century. Following years of struggle they at last were allowed flexibility and equivalent rights with the new amendments in the constitution. However, this didn’t stop them from being segregated. The south was completely against granting African Americans the rights they deserve.

Although the conclusion of the Civil War during the mid-1860s demolished the official practice of slavery, the oppression and exploitation of African Americans has continued. Although the rights and opportunities of African Americans were greatly improved during Reconstruction, cases such a 1896’s Plessy v. Ferguson, which served as the legal basis for segregation, continue to diminish the recognized humanity of African Americans as equal people. Furthermore, the practice of the sharecropping system impoverished unemployed African Americans, recreating slavery. As economic and social conditions worsened, the civil rights movement began to emerge as the oppressed responded to their conditions, searching for equality and protected

In 1968 and 1865 Lincoln and Kennedy were trying to persuade Americans that the country is better united. Throughout America’s history I believe that a common goal was to build relations among the diverse nation. I think that Lincoln and Kennedy wanted to make a change because they saw the difference and unfair circumstances. However there has not been a lot that has changed. I believe a lot of people want to get rid of racism but a lot of people haven’t made an honest effort to make change. However I also think that many people do not know how to acquire change. Recognizing racial injustice can help create various steps toward racial equality in America’s society. When we as a society speak explicitly about race, we will accept everything that make us different from one another.

Joshua Bailey Dr. Robert Spellman ART 100 26 January 2016 The Power of Visual Image One of the most turbulent times in American history occurred shortly after American Civil War during the country’s Reconstruction Era in the South. It was at this time that the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were passed, which gave