The Civil Rights Movement - Annotated Bibliography Example

BBC News. “In Pictures: US Civil Rights Movement.” BBC News, 2005. http news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/americas_us_civil_rights_movement/html/1.stm (accessed 9 November 2010). Abstract: This website courtesy of BBC News provides various pictures of some of the people who have sparked, inspired, or are key proponents to the civil rights movement. It also provides a vivid picture of the social atmosphere during that time like sit in of black activists and the picketing of white high school students who are against integration. Each picture of an African American provides a short description as to why they have been a significance part of the movement and how each of these people have been connected by the chain of events that have lead to the organization and consequently rise of the movement. I think it is important that pictures be also included in the study of the civil rights movement to be familiar with the faces of these people who have changed history. The picture includes Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King to name a few. Davis, Jack E. The Civil Right Movement. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Inc., 2001. Abstract: This book, edited by Jack Davis contains twelve essays that tackle the development of the civil right s movement that is supported by primary documents. With emphasis on the chronology of events through a detailed timeline and the geographic scope of the movement, the book introduces the foundations of the movement, followed by the fight for labor and civil rights. It then discusses the white resistance and anticommunism, anti civil rights and why they oppose the movement. It is then followed by a discussion on the participants-liberals and moderates and the role of women. The discussion continues to the local-national relationships and grassroots level. Lastly, the book concludes its discussion on the attainment of black power and culture and political power. Dierenfield, Bruce J. The Civil Rights Movement. New York: Pearson Longman, 2008. Abstract: The book tells in vivid detail the extraordinary measures of ordinary African Americans to reclaim their rights. It argues that the movement has been one of the most important, or rather, the most important transformations of the United States as a country, a process that have brought so much turmoil, civil unrest, and violence. The brutality, hostility, and aggression towards the proponents of the civil rights movement caused these people to lose their jobs, homes, and even lives. It also highlights how racism brought about by slavery has impacted the mentality of the American people that puts the black community at an inferior position. It contains photos, maps, and glossary of the key figures of the movement. Lawson, Steven F and Payne, Charles M. Debating the Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1968. 2nd Ed. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2006. Abstract: The book is a unique resource because it provides a dual perspective on the civil rights movement—first was the view from the national level as explained by Steven Lawson and the second was the view from the grassroots level or the view from the ‘trenches’ as Charles Payne would put it. The best thing about the book and in their discussion is that it relied heavily on primary sources. These documents are not only presented as part of their discussion but are also included in the book. This is a good first-hand material and also provides a dual perspective on the same issues Levy, Peter B. The Civil Rights Movement. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. Abstract: This book provides biographical profiles, chronology of events, narrative descriptions, and analytical essays on some of the primary sources regarding the civil rights movements. It’s a book that provides a wealth of first hand literatures and seminal documents. It also provides a biographical profile on the key proponents of the movement and what is the best legacy that they have left behind for the country. The book started of with the origins of the movement, the fight for equality, the role of the women in the movement, and the legacy that the 50s and 60s have left behind. Martin Richer, William T. The Civil Rights Movement: Struggle and Resistance. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. Abstract: This book focuses on the collective social struggle for civil rights of African Americans from 1945 up to 2002. The book also highlights how the African American community had effectively used the social institutions that stemmed from de jure segregation as means to prevail over the discrimination, racism, and white resistance. William Martin Richer also effectively brings to light and relates the influence of other racial minorities demanding justice and civil rights from the United States towards the claim for civil rights for African Americans and other cultural minorities who are now calls America home. He also reminds the people that recent political developments are undermining the gains that have been made by the movement. Olzak, Susan and Ryo, Emily. “Diversity and Vitality of the Black Civil Rights Movement 1955-1988.” American Sociological Association, 2004. http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/0/9/4/0/pages109406/p109406-1.php (accessed 9 November 2010). Abstract: This paper proposed by Ozak and Ryo in the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association examines the quantitative impact of the civil rights movement based on Munkoff’s longitudinal database that contains the list of national African American organization that have been active and in existence from 1955 to 1988. Despite the fact that it is presumed that the movement carried with it a lasting legacy and positive impact to the various black communities, there is no concrete proof since there is no quantitative study have been made to measure its impact. This study draws its observation on organizational ecology and social movement theories in analyzing the long term success of the movement. McClerking, Harwood K. and Philpot, Tasha S. “Struggling to be noticed: The Civil Rights Movement as an Academic Agenda Setter.” PS: Political Science & Politics, (2008) 41, pp 813-817 doi: 10.1017/S1049096508081079 Abstract: McClerking and Philpot looks at the influence of Black politics in the current American mainstream political context. The increasing focus on black politics was due to the social movement that reached its pinnacle during the civil rights movement. The authors postulates that as more African American politicians enter politics the more that they change the American political system and mindset in terms of responding to various racial issues. Read More