The Struggle for Civil Rights - Research Paper Example

and The African-American Struggle for Civil Rights Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi, from every mountainside, let freedom ring Free at last! Stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr., who was the leader of the civil rights movement. He gave a motivated and passionate speech to show the world that America was about to change its old ways, regarding the old Jim Crow segregation and very restrictive Black Codes! However, things are always easier said than done. Black Americans were routinely being denied equal protection, and their decision to use civil disobedience as a form of protest would result in both positive Supreme Court decision and new civil rights legislation. The fight for civil rights for African American has been long and difficult struggle. The struggle has not been easy to change the minds of those who would deny them their 14th Amendment equal protection (King). Through history, they had suffered racial injustices and were keen to employ varied methods while putting across their grievances to a government that was biased right from the legal system to other arms (Finkelman 79). Inspired by their leaders, they would stage nonviolent protests, direct action, boycotts, civil resistance and civil disobedience. Among other leaders, Martin Luther Jr, a Baptist Clergy, was in the front line and led by example. He inspired and laid the best strategies for the black folks on how to address the injustices they suffered. Other leading figures were the likes of Malcolm X whose approach was pretty different from that of King Jr. His agitation was not popular as he advocated hate for hate, a direct indication that he would engage in violence if there were the need. The civil movements aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination of African-Americans an element that denied basic rights in the society. They could not vote as the white Americans. Employment was reserved for the light skinned while education system was biased enough to have different facilities based on race (Goluboff 238). They felt the need to seek and attain legal recognition as citizens with equal rights to the whites. They were equally entitled to the human rights reckoned in the nation’s constitution and the federal law. Being treated as second-class citizens provoked social protests in demand for equality. They had served as slaves an aspect that involved violence and violation of human dignity. The judicial systems were biased, and most of the African Americans never received justice. The courts were more inclined to the whites at the expense of the black folks an element that further fuelled more protests and demands. This gives us an insight about the current situation in United States today. The recent protests in Fergusson Missouri are shedding some light about the nature of the judicial system in America. The shooting of Mike Brown, a black teenager who was not armed, provoked a reaction in the form of protests. This resulted from the acquittal of the policeman who committed the offense ( NBC NEWS 1). Sadly, all is not fixed in such systems, and that reminds everybody about the history of black people in the struggle of social equality and demands for free and fair trials. The bias is an open case of racial profiling, and there is a need to act quickly. The civil rights movements and protests were effective such that; several amendments were made leading to more freedom for the blacks. The 13th amendment of the constitution right after the American civil war saw the end of slavery become a reality and for once the blacks were free in one aspect (Finkelman 395). They didn’t have to work without pay, and they were not answerable to anybody as a master or mistress. This was followed by the 14th amendment that assigned the African Americans citizenship. They were by then four million in number and were additionally recorded to the official population of southern states for possible Congressional appointment. The 15th amendment followed assignment of voting privileges to black people. The black women were victims of discrimination in this aspect an element that would provoke protests in demand for equal rights. This echoes the need to empower women socially, politically and economically. The era of reconstruction between 1865 and 1877 saw some element of freedom for the blacks as they would be allowed to engage in employment in the south. However, that later hit a stall after the 1876 disputed election (Finkelman 492). However, the post-reconstruction era had the Africans subjected to racial segregation. The Plessy v. Fergusson decision of 1896 allowed states that demanded the racial segregation exercise it constitutionally (Bonastia 57). Social amenities like schools and government services were provided in the virtue of race. Those for the colored were poorly funded resulting to poor quality. This served to create a social gap between the two races. The regain of power by the white democrats oversaw implementation of laws that would disenfranchise the black folks (Finkelman 69). Voting procedures were restricted, and the blacks could barely elect representatives. They were further exploited economically along Latinos and Asians. All economic opportunities were reserved for whites with persistent employment discrimination. There were cases of violence against the colored from individuals, the police, paramilitary and organizational groups like Ku Klux Klan. This serves to reveal to us the injustices suffered by the black folks in the hands of the whites. African-civil rights movements would surface to rebel this regime. They would engage lawsuits, political redress and labor movements in quest for justice. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established in 1909 to address racial discrimination through constructive measures like education, litigation and lobbying efforts (Beito and Beito 16). This association achieved much in 1954 as the Supreme Court on Brown v. Board of Education saw the idea of separate schools for whites, and the colored being declared unconstitutional (Crow 55). The idea of distinct but equal was overturned for the best of the black people. Both Plessy V. Fergusson (1896) and Cumming v. Richmond C. B. E. (1899) were declared illegitimate. There were signs of equality for once. The black and white kids would share classes for once and benefit equally from available quality facilities. The blacks would be assured of a bright future ahead, an element that would see economic advancement of the whole nation at large. All the citizens would be self-reliant regardless of color or racial background. Rosa Parks is remembered for her heroic decision to refuse to hand over her seat to a non-color passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama ( Academy of Achievement 1). She felt she was entitled the seat like anybody else an action that led to her arrest. This led to civil disobedient and the famed Montgomery public transport boycott. Martin Luther King Jr. played a big role in this boycott as the president of the Montgomery Improvement Association (The King Center 1). Inspired by his theology, King eloquently inspired everybody and would earn a massive following that bought on his idea of love, hope and quest for justice. He urged the blacks to love their oppressors despite the injustices extended to them like burning of houses and violence. He believed in nonviolent measures as that would not violate the peace. The Little Rock Nine, a group of nine intelligent students challenged racial segregation and emerged victoriously amid resistance from the governor. The white folks in the form of learners and community, these students dealt with abuse, violence, and discrimination and still managed to go through the same systems as the whites. They inspired the black folks who saw the need to strive for equality. This can be celebrated today as all schools in United States admit all regardless of color or ethnic background. Americans integrate freely and spare some spaces for learners from other parts of the world like Africa, Asia, and Europe. The idea of segregation is only reserved in the history. Jobs are equally available, and hiring is based on merit rather than color. The year 1960 witnessed Boynton v. Virginia court decision that declared segregation of passengers in interstate travel as unconstitutional (Jim Crow Museum 1). This ruling prompted the 1961 freedom rides to the south. The blacks tried to share seats with the whites and sought same services over the counter. This came with violence, harsh jail terms, and suffering. Even the leaders supported violation of their rights until John F. Kennedy ordered the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue a new and better integration order (Presidential Library and Museum 1). The new order took effect in late 1961 and commuters would sit anywhere they chose regardless of class or gender (Presidential Library and Museum 2). August 23rd 1963 saw the Washington match happen in the quest for meaningful civil rights laws, full and fair employment, right to vote, decent housing and adequate integrated education (Beito and Beito 17). Martin Luther Jr. met Kennedy, who was more committed to having the bill pass. However, the assassination of Kennedy prompted his heir to use his inspiration in the Legislature to make Kennedy’s agenda a reality (Finkelman 45). This proved that the walk would bear fruits eventually. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 proved the civil rights movement a success story (Finkelman 45). The bill banned discrimination based on race, color, faith, gender or ethnic group. Everybody would have an equal opportunity in occupation and public appointments. Blacks eventually through struggle and strive gained power to vote, and that became a turning point. The murder of Martin Luther Jr. didn’t stop them. They carried on till they finally found freedom and today as we write; they have equal rights as the whites. Though everything is not good, things are pretty better and the man in the white house today is a black guy, President Barrack Obama. People emurate him as a model of the success for the black struggle and civil right movement. The dream and vision of Martin Luther Jr. while at Lincoln Memorial eventually became a reality. Freedom is all over the air. America abolished segregation laws and did away with restrictive black codes. The blacks who were victims of racial injustices are leaders today. The struggle was not easy, but they can look back and say it was worth it. Works Cited Academy of Achievement. "Interview with Rosa Parks." 2 June 1995. Digital History. Web. 20 December 2014. Beito, David T and Linda Royster Beito. Black Maverick: T.R.M. Howards Fight for Civil Rights and Economic Power. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2009. Print. Bonastia, Christopher. Knocking on the door: The federal government attempts to desegregate the suburbs. Princeton University Press, 2010. Crow, John. The Supreme Court and the Struggle for Racial Equality. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print. Finkelman, Paul. Encyclopedia of African American History. Oxford: Oxford University press, 2009. Print. Goluboff, Risa L. The Lost Promise of Civil Rights. Harvard University Press, MA: Cambridge, 2007. Jim Crow Museum. "Irene Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia." December 2007. Ferris State University. Web. 20 December 2014. NEWS, NBC. Michael Brown shooting. 19 Dec 2014. 20 Dec 2014. . Presidential Library and Museum. "Civil Rights Movement." 2014. Presidential Library and Museum. Web. 20 December 2014. The King Center. "The Bus Boycott Sparks a Movement." 2014. The King Center. Web. 20 December 2014. Read More