The Civil Rights Movement in the United States

Civil Rights Movements recollections are responsible for shaping how people behave in society as well as the numerous protests on human rights that are seen in present day. What was evidenced back in the 1950s and 60s was focused on breaking racial barriers which were centered around degrading, confining and marginalizing the minority population of the United States. The case is relatively different in present day, what is conceptualized is a case of people supporting the movement driven by different purposes. With the history of what transpired throughout time is what shapes our daily politics. Social movements of the 19th and 20th Century are responsible for shaping progressive thought. The movements were driven by the need for racial disenfranchisement with legal requirements of segregation were constitutionally inconsistent with a focus on its eradication. What was conceptualized back in the early 20th Century is a case scenario where the women suffrage, environmental protection to dismantlement of Jim Crow laws. These were considered as relatively utopian ideas but that is not the case in present day where they are considered as being common sense. Radical issues for yester years have been considered into mainstream policy formulation of present day. During the 20th Century, the whole process reads as some of the most progress accomplishments until present day. The whole process of social justice was conceptualized

In the past few years, the United States has experienced many social movements. For example, there have been movements such as Black Lives Matter (2012), North Dakota Access Pipeline (2016) and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (2014). These movements have been lead by students, unions, and concerned citizens of the United States who want to see a change in social or political issues. These movements can be seen across the United States and even across the world. But how are these movements funded and what are the issues that go along with funding them? To understand how social movements are funded, first you need to understand what a social movement is.

The idea and purpose of social movements in politics can be essentially derived from two basic political theories, V.O. Key’s Three Part Political Party Model and Albert Hirschman’s theory on Exit, Voice, and Loyalty. In V.O. Key’s model the citizens of the country are the party in electorate, they make up the base of the party and who office holders should answer to in a responsible party. In a political arena these people who form the party in electorate have three options at all times, remain loyal to the party/system, exit the party/system, or use their voice to convey their opinions and grievances. That last party is where social movements come into play. People join social movements and band together when they feel they are not being

Individuals who face injustice, discrimination, inequality, and racism are the ones that try to make a difference in society by starting a social movement. Social movement are conscious, concerted, and sustained efforts by ordinary people to change some aspect of their society by using extrainstitutional means (Goodwin p. 431). This is when people take matter into their own hands to bring change without having to depend on courts, legislature and other institutions. However, starting a social movement is more complex than just walking in a crowd holding posters. You need to recruit, raise money for the movement, and find free space to brainstorm ideas and tactics without being harassed by the people.

Another example of social movements making the government more responsive comes from the American civil rights movement. A political party is not a social movement, but often moment leaders seek the support of party leaders to increase the opportunity — the likelihood of having a successful

History progresses throughout time, but so does society. This perpetual and inevitable change that graces society creates conflict and harmony within societal groups, forcing individuals to pick sides. With this, we see the developments of social movements that not only embrace, but reject these perpetual and inevitable changes. The organization of a social movement calls for tactful and strategic form of communication within the group that is banding together.

Movements are the reason today’s world is what it is. Many say it is a cruel one, but if it weren’t for the many life-changing movements, this world would be intolerable. Movements are typically large groups of people working together for an advance that benefits the community. We can never have enough of these because each one, large or small makes the world a better place. At rare times, it requires a lot of money, but the great things about movements is that most of the time it needs to money at all. All it takes the make the world a better place is time, energy, determination, and most importantly yourself. In some cases, a movement can positively influence millions of people!

To ensure social change in our societies citizens of every nation should have a say in all the socioeconomically and political issues that surround them. The systems of our current society advocate for individuals to participate in the government as a contribution to society. Yet at times publicized backlash from both people, media and even the government can diminish participation. In the United States expressing concerns to the government is a constitutional right that every American can exercise. In the past decades, great progress has been achieved through protesting. These organized protests have changed the country for the better in the long run. Although progress was attained the difficulties and violence these movements caused have made civil protest a movement on its own.

One of the areas of research that I find myself drawn to is social movements. There are a multitude of questions attached to this branch of sociology, as it is encompassing of an expansive and complex niche of history. In my academic career, I have addressed specific social movements through a socio-historic lens, oftentimes placing emphasis on the impact of media. I have looked at the roots and development of a movement, the conditions necessary for a successful one, and how they interact with each other. Throughout my college career to date, this has manifested itself in a number of papers on the women’s movement, most recently on the progression of the different “waves” of the movement throughout history. I paid particular focus to how each

Social movements are the essence of human rebellion for justice. From Malcolm X to Deray in Baltimore, social movements play a huge part in how we get our voice across to the elite. Even though some sociologists like Doug McAdam believe social movements alone aren’t sufficient to generate a successful result(McAdam,1982). Others believe that social movements play a big role on how we pursue and impact societal change. For instance, MADD – Mothers against Drunk Driving is a successful campaign that started with social change and reduced drunk driving by advocating for change in their own backyard. MLK, Rosa parks, Malcolm X all played a huge role in getting rid of discrimination and racial division by way of social movement. From the million-man

Changes to policy and social conditions are gradual and progress is made in a step by step fashion for the health and well-being of the people of that community. The Black Lives Matter Movement and the Civil Rights Movement fit the model of Movements of Progressive Change. According to Weil, Reisch and Ohmer (2012) they are movements that are viewed as collective challenges brought forth by committed activists as a unified voice for change. In an article by McAdam (2015), he indicates social movements can promote or resist change in society through collective action. de Bakker, den Hond, King and Weber (2013) explain that social movements can approach change from the bottom up. Social movements also seek change through confrontation and collaboration (Baker et al., 2013).

The idea of collective identity as an alternative option for explaining the rise of social movements has been given little attention by contemporary theories. In a progressive, post-industrial, society where collective action no longer culminates around class-based issues and has become a common way of challenging conformist political and societal values, it is important to shed a new light on how social movements emerge and mobilize. I argue that the shared grievances of a collective group of people in which a unifying identity can flourish, explains the emergence and mobilization of social movements. To begin my argument I will first attempt to explain what a social movement entails by briefly comparing various contemporary theories on the

Non- violent movements are a way for groups of people to achieve change and create an impact in the society. The labor, African American, and Vietnam anti-war peace movements were significantly successful in abolishing harsh working conditions, gaining civil rights for blacks, and withdrawing from the Vietnam War (Upchurch). Non-violent and violent movements have been used throughout history to evoke change in the society, obtain equality, civil rights, and peace. While violent protest result in the same changes, non-violent methods can ultimately go beyond local violent protest, spread nationally through movements, and protest without requiring violence. These events because of the non-violent

In order to have any sort of social movement, you need to have followers and participants- people who believe in the cause, throw their monetary or physical support behind the cause, and work to further the cause. Most of the time, you do not just have thousands of people clamoring to get involved in your protest- it takes carefully thought out recruitment and thorough examination of a population subset in order to be able to appeal to and appear in the best light to them, in order to gain their support and their participation. Sociologists and political scientists have long been interested in the root causes behind protest: what drives people to protest, why do people join protests, what conditions lead to protest, et cetera. But as I said, you need supporters first and foremost. Thus, the primary area of interest for organizers of a movement is how to convince people to join- how to mobilize the masses.

A social movement is defined as “a group of diffusely organized people or organizations striving toward a common goal relating to human society or social change, or the organized activities of such a group.” However, the concept of a social movement cannot be confined to a simple explanation. Scholars have developed various theories regarding processes that influence a social movement. Such theories include the collective behavior theory, resource mobilization theory, and political process model. Moreover, there are various factors other than a group’s grievances that cause the creation of a social movement. Connections, resources, identities are all factors that can influence the development and participation within a social movement. To