The African-American Civil Rights Movement

On January 23, 1964, the 24th amendment was established and became known as an important part of the United States Constitution. The 24th amendment presented a law that would allow citizens of the U.S. the right to vote in an election for the President and Vice President regardless of the failure to pay tax. This particular amendment allowed for any individual to vote without the consideration of the race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The 24th Amendment was important during the Great Society then and now, because it was a small step towards abolishing inequality. Basically, without the 24th Amendment not everyone would have rights to vote not less they paid in not everyone was fortunate enough to pay poll taxes in order to vote. Poll taxes are basically known as methods that are for keeping the black votes to a minimum, which were declared

Through the rise of groups such as the Black Panther Party, violence became increasingly prevalent. “The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense calls upon the American people in general and the black people in particular to take careful note of the racist California Legislature which is now considering legislation aimed at keeping the black people disarmed and powerless at the very same time that racist police agencies throughout the country are intensifying the terror, brutality, murder, and repression of black people (Document F).” As a result of the lack of movement on the bill previously proposed my Kennedy to remove segregation, many African-Americans began to give up on this method of peaceful protest. “All of these efforts have been answered by more repression, deceit, and hypocrisy (Document F).” This is because as it appeared to them, it was not working and had no effect on the government. Instead, they discovered a much more direct approach which, was assured to catch the eye of the government. This method was violence. “The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense believes that the time has come for the black people to arm themselves against this terror before it is too late (Document F).” Through violent “black power” groups such as the Black Panthers, the previously peaceful Civil Rights movement began to take on a new

The 1960s and 1970s were a period in American history where there was a rise in the amount of civil rights movements for both African Americans and women. Because of how both groups had their rights and equality withheld from them for a long period of time, it was inevitable that a radical movement would emerge from these oppressed groups. With the Cold War occuring in the background, the pressure to support and suppress these movements was quite stifling, especially given the fact that many Americans were under the fear of Communists in their country. In contrast with the nonviolent protests of Martin Luther King Jr., the Black Power movement fought for self-determination and against discrimination for African Americans through both violent

Following World War I, a new, militant spirit of resistance and activism burgeoned among African-American citizens across the United States. Empowered by the sense that blacks had played a crucial role in the conflict, the descendants of freedmen returned home to fight for their own rights only to find persecution; this dire situation called for immediate, decisive action. During the interwar years, African Americans in the southwest Georgia Black Belt fought for community empowerment and, through the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), and numerous other political and labor-oriented groups, established a significant organizing tradition, thereby laying the

The African American Civil right movement in the late 1950’s and throughout the 1960’s was a powerful fight for equal opportunities to the basic rights and privileges outlined by the US government. During this movement thousands of African American individuals and those who believed in the power of the movement, battled against the piercing white supremacy through various tactics including grass root movements. The grass root movements in the 60’s was characterized by organizations of individuals fighting for equality on the behalf of the African Americans, ultimately shaping American history. Such movements helped to raise awareness on a political level, of the injustice all African American’s endured. Grassroots activist during the 60’s were able to organize marches, rallies and protests in order to mobilize and strengthen the Civil Rights Movement. Grass rooting activism during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s shaped American History by aiding in the abolished laws restricting African American’s freedom to vote, the abolishment of segregation in school, and the passage of the Civil Rights act outlawing discrimination.

My partner and I stand in affirmative of the following resolution. Resolved:The united states government ought to pay reparations to African Americans. African Americans have had roughly 300 years of legalized oppression. If that doesn’t entitle a group to reparations, I’m not sure what does. This would benefit ALL Americans by providing the environment in which African-American talent can rise to its potential that is why we as Americans have the duty to pay back the African Americans in reparations.

Hook : Imagine a world in which all men weren 't created equal. A world where skin color, ethnic origin, gender, and sexuality was what defined a person rather than character.

The African-American Civil Rights Movement is the struggle that African Americans had to endure in order to enjoy the liberties offered to all citizens of the United states today. Before it, the United States was still in darkness, with racism having a firm grip on most souls. Since its beginnings, it was a topic of debate not only by the top ranking government officials, but also by normal citizens. The African-American Civil Rights Movement is undoubtedly one of the most revered and memorable moments in our country’s history.

Social movements are one of the primary means through which the public is able to collectively express their concerns about the rights and wellbeing of themselves and others. Under the proper conditions, social movements not only shed light on issues and open large scale public discourse, but they can also serve as a means of eliciting expedited societal change and progress. Due to their potential impact, studying the characteristics of both failed and successful social movements is important in order to ensure that issues between the public and the government are resolved to limit injustices and maintain societal progress.

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.

In the mid 1900’s the civil rights movement was one of the most relevant subjects in America at the time. During this era the United States was facing many issues involving racism. Many historical figures from this period gave motivating speeches and Martin Luther King Jr. became one of the most widely known speakers. Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech gave Americans hope for equality and a better life through making peace. The famous speech is an unforgettable moment in African American history as well as American history. Many people do not know that he also gave a highly important speech 9 years before that. In 1955, King and his supporters demanded freedom and they would do so by declaring a protest. Because he was such a well-known speaker he moved many and the Montgomery bus Boycott would begin shortly thereafter.

The Civil Rights movement is one of the most important acts to change the way not only African Americans were able to live their lives but all races and colors. It would slowly break down the social, economic, political, and racial barriers that were created by the The Age of Discovery and Transatlantic Slave trade. I believe without the Civil Rights acts our country would result to be no better than what it was when the Emancipation Proclamation just took effect. In the 1950s and long before, Southern folk, who were white had created a system that would interpret them as a superior race over blacks. The system would defend whites rights and privileges from being taken away from them while establishing terrible inhumane suffering for African Americans. In the South blacks were controlled in all aspects economic, political, and personal, this was called a “tripartite system of domination” - (Aldon D. Morris) (6) Though it isn’t as prevalent racism and discrimination towards other races that aren’t white is still found in America and can be in schools, the workplace, even when you are in the general public but you no longer see discriminating signs saying “Whites” or “Blacks” or Colored” along the front of bathroom, restaurants, and shopping malls doors. Nor do you see people being declined the right to buy a home based on their color or access to school and an equal education being declined because one didn’t meet racial requirements. The acts of violence towards

Black Power, the idea of “…African Americans controlling the social, political, and economic institutions in their community,”3 coined by Stokely Carmichael, harvested the support of blacks across America as they saw that “integration is the illusion of inclusion.”4 The idea of “Black Power” was meant “…to start bringing black people together under a slogan that everyone understood.”5 “Students began to challenge the meaning and purpose of education and forced colleges and universities to reexamine their role and function in American Society… (They) demonstrated that education should and did serve to enlighten a people relative to their civil rights and social justice.“6

The 1950s and 1960s was a period of growth and prosperity in America. Features of the common life included innovations such as television, dishwasher, and home air-conditioning. However, not all Americans equally benefited from the economic growth of this period of time. In addition to Jim Crow laws and unequal economic opportunities, America’s society became further segregated as many whites moved to the suburbs while blacks remained in run-down city neighborhoods. These many inequalities sparked the civil rights movement, where African Americans stood up and fought for their rights using nonviolent methods. The movement influenced the emergence of many prominent figures including Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was successful in achieving equal rights for African Americans through nonviolent protests such as the Montgomery bus boycott, sit-ins, and marches.

The American Civil Rights Movement is personified through several prominent personalities. These figures exhibited strong character throughout their careers in activism that revolutionized the ideals and opportunities of the 20th century, standing as precedents for courage and perseverance in the face of widespread systemic oppression. However, not all of these figures received the acknowledgment and acceptance that their legacy deserved. One such figure was Bayard Rustin, a lifelong Civil Rights activist in the African American and LGBTQ communities whose experiences exemplified the hardships faced by American minorities. His career was defined by perpetual conflict and confrontation as both sides of the Civil Rights Movement attempted to demonize and discredit him. Despite this obstacle, Bayard Rustin’s controversial decision-making and sheer tenacity made him an influential force in the ongoing fight for equality in the United States of America.