Discrimination of African Americans - Essay Example

07 December Discrimination of African Americans World? everywhere around? what one sees today? has not been so a few decades ago? A lot has changed from then and if one focuses on the ealier years? it becomes evident that a lot of battles were fought? a lot of lives were lost? there were both tragedies due to the damages created throughout all places in the world? but there were also miracles when battles were fought and peace was restored? The world is a much better place now where man is free but is governed under the laws of the land he lives in? This paper focuses on the situations that the African Americans underwent around 50 decades ago? Even in the present scenario? there are places where racism exists between the whites and the African Americans? But the situation was much worse during a few decades back? The African Americans had no rights and were totally supressed and oppressed under the power of the whites? Let us take a look at the America as it was after the 1950s? At the beginning of the 1960s, the Americans believed that they were about to witness the golden age or? in other words? the era of golden age was about to begin. On Jan 20, 1961? John.F.Kennedy was elected as The President of the United States. But the golden age was never materialised and the end of the 1960s seemed to be the downfall of the nation. During his presidential campaign, John.F.Kennedy had introduced laws and reforms to eliminate injustice and racism in the country. But these laws did not bring with them solutions to any of the problems faced by African Americans in US. It neither eliminated racism or poverty? nor did it improve the conditions of urban black neighbourhoods. The 1960s saw many issues regarding the denial of rights to the African Americans. Many riots and events took place during this period regarding the same issue. One of the major events that occurred was the attack on Freedom Riders, where a group of black and white citizens were riding busses across the south? in order to test laws enforcing segregation in public facilities. However? they were intercepted by angry mobs and brutal policemen who beat them up severly. Another event that took place during the time was the murder of the great black leader? Malcolm X, who was shot down for his activities and involment against inequality and racism existing in the country. The period of 1955-1968 saw the emergence of the civil rights movements aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against the African Americans and giving them back their right to vote. The emergence of the Black power movement, which lasted from 1966 to 1975? supported the civil rights movement to expand their aims as well as protect racial dignity and freedom from oppression by the whites. In the year 1965? the Voting Rights Act was passed, and it was considered to be the most successful period of civil rights legislation ever adopted by the United States congress. This action of the congress was greatly appreciated and supported by almost all African Americans in many southern parts. All these acts and legislations passed that were passed? during that time? facilitated the eradicaton of ongoing obstructions faced by the African Americans against their right to vote. The situation and condition of the working class in the United States improved immediately? once the country got involved in the World War II. The nation saw a drastic increase in the employment rate from its 1940 levels. Employers were desperate to fill positions required in the production of military equipments, vehicles, weapons and ammunition. The vacancies were open to traditional workforce, women as well as the non-whites who had long been excluded from skilled and high paying industries. The emergence of the Black Panther Party (BPP) saw a dramatic change in the political scenario in the United States during the period. It was a progressive political party that stood for the rights of the working class people in America since the civil war. The BPP was considered to be the only black organisation that opposed slavery and oppression in the US, and also one that was armed as well as encouraged revolutionary movements. The party was even labelled ‘the greatest threat to the internal security of the US’(The Black Panther Party legacy and lessons for the future 1) by the FBI chief J.Edgar Hoover .The period also witnessed the emergence of the Black Power Movement, headed by Robert F William? who was considered the father of this movement. During his early days? William witnessed many terrifying scenes of slavery and torture of the working class people. He expereinced it all in his case as well as in the case of other people? He first got himself ‘enrolled in a federal job’(Tyson 26) training program? where he experienced racial discrimination. He then was ‘drafted in the US army’(Tyson 26) for 18 months. His experience with the white supremacy during warhead altered his understanding of the whites, “before then? it appealed that they were so well organised and so powerful” (27) but later? he realised that they were nowhere near being superior. William’s contributions brought about important changes in the African-American political life. The involvement of A Philip Randolph to organise the all- black march and bringing together all the African Americans to the nation’s capital? was also a great contribution to the Afro-American politics. He even forced the ‘US President? Franklin D Roosevelt to issue an executive order 8802?’(27) which banned discrimination in the defense industries and practised fair employment. This shows that there were many African Americans who made important contribution towards the development of American politics. Soon after World War II, it becomes clear that while one war ended, another was just taking birth. The whites were not happy about the fact that the African Americans had been freed and they were granted their right to vote. This period was an important time for the growth of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The Klan had ties to religious, political and business organizations throughout the United States, making it difficult for the African Americans to be treated as equals. Racist whites have often looked upon the relationship between themselves and non-whites in terms such as ‘monkeys, dogs, breeding like rabbits’ (Bang 3). Racism was also witnessed on local governmental levels. The first Ku Klux Klan was headed by conferderate Army General, Nathan Bedford (4) Forest. The Klan used violence to achieve their goals to restore domination. The Klan understood where the core powers of the country lay and focused on achieving lasting power and strength. For this they had to bring the politicians under their control and influence. Author Stanley Frost wrote ‘"the true hope or menace of the Ku Klux Klan lies in politics’(12) . The Klan rose to be an active participant in the election process with their candidates seeking local, state and national office. It becomes evident that it was because of the joint efforts of a lot of leaders? especially African American ones? that they could restore equal treatment and rights just like the white people had? A lot of processions and demonstrations finally paved way to the world in general to realize the fact that there is no point in racial discrimination? or any kind of discrimination for that matter? People all over the world? especially America opened their eyes to the reality that all human beings are the same despite what his race? religion? caste? ethnicity or nationality may be? People started respecting each other and uplifting one another for the overall development of the human race? Works Cited Timothy.B.Tyson (ed.). New Media: The Press Freedom Dimension. Knight Foundation. 2007. Web. 07 December 2012. Chiu et al. China’s Social-Media Boom. McKinsey & Company. 2012. Web. 07 December 2012. Read More