Liberation Movements for Minority Groups in the 1960s - Article Example

Liberation Movements for Minority Groups in the 1960s In the mid 20th Century, US experienced numerous political and social unrests in form of liberation movements. Most of these liberation movements were motivated by a dire need of equality in terms of political recognition, social identity and cultural beliefs. Example of liberation movements during the 1960s include the women liberation movement, commonly referred to as the second wave of feminist movement. Another example is the gay and lesbian liberation movement, which started in the early 1960s and extended into the better part of 1970s. Both the feminist and gay movements represented liberation campaigns staged by minority groups within the American society during the 1960s. Both groups were seeking transformation of social institutions and beliefs into recognizing the role of women and pride of homosexuals in contemporary settings. Keen studies on these two liberation struggles unearth certain similarities with the infamous black Civil Rights movements of the 1950s. This essay seeks to establish a link in philosophy and strategies between the minority liberations of 1960s and the major black civil rights campaigns of the preceding decade. Relevant research indicates that gay rights movements and those advocating for gender equality adopted some of its major philosophy from the civil rights activism. It is undeniable that civil rights movement by African Americans was motivated by the need to achieve equal rights. Blacks had long been accorded numerous rights during the Emancipation of Proclamation, but those rights were yet to be implemented in practical sense (Foner 49). After the Second World War, veteran soldiers of black origin and other likeminded social activists like Martin Luther King Jr. joined hands in a fight against oppression. Black civil rights movement continued through 1950s and early 1960s, after which African Americans gained their constitutional rights to vote and own property. Women Liberation Movement After successful civil rights movement by the minority blacks in the US, other groups were to build their basis on strategies used by the African Americans in demanding other equal recognition. In this context, we will evaluate the feminist liberation movement and establish the manner in which black civil rights struggle influenced women in their feminism campaigns. Prior to the 1960s, women in America enjoyed limited to no economic opportunities as compared to their male counterparts. Society operated with the philosophy that women should remain at home taking care of children while men go to work. With respect to social aspects, women were braded symbols of sex and beauty. American society advocated for charm and physical attractiveness of as the only qualities used to define women’s worth (Weisner and William 34). With respect to political context, most women, especially from the black and other minority groups were not counted as eligible voters. They could neither participate in general elections nor vie for political positions. Prior to the civil rights movements in the 1950s, blacks experienced direct discrimination in social, economic and political contexts. For example blacks were not allowed to attend similar schools with whites. In addition, marriages between blacks were not recognized by state and federal institutions. In terms of political discriminations, blacks enjoyed limited freedom in expressing their constitutional rights to elect leaders. During general elections, black voters were blocked by gangs like the Ku Klux Klan from entering into voting centers. As a result of all these discriminations, civil rights activists, especially Martin Luther King Jr. staged national non-violent campaigns. His campaigns were joined by the likes of Malcolm X and the black liberation movements. Consequently, the tension created by frequent and massive demonstrations by men, women and children of black ancestry forced social and political institutions into awarding blacks their human rights. After the early 1960s, blacks could attend schools with whites and get white collar jobs in offices (Weisner and William 37). Based on the philosophy that all people are created equal before God, women in America started building on ideas used by civil rights activists in demanding for their reproductive, employment and political rights. In a similar way that whites assumed dominance over blacks, so men exercised their patriarchal dominance over women. After the 1950s, career women started influencing their housewives counterparts in demanding for their rightful position. Just like black soldiers during the Second World War, women also got numerous opportunities for studies and economic gains. After the war, American society wanted to return social structures into its original status, with black Americans being second class citizens while women stays in the kitchen (Weisner and William 41). Efforts by men to place women under their control sparked outrage and frustration, which led to the feminist liberation movements across the US. In this regard, the need for independency and autonomy by black Americans in the 1950s caused a corresponding need of independence among the American women population in the 1960s and beyond. Gay Liberation Movement With respect to gay and lesbian rights movements, social environment after the Second World War also played a significant role in influencing revolution by gay and lesbian perceptions. Prior to 1960s, gays and lesbians were segregated and discriminated by the sexually mainstream population. In fact, federal legislations in 1954 bared homosexuals from getting employed in federal positions. Consequently, outright social hatred then forced gay men and lesbian women into hiding for fear of being ridiculed. During the late 1950s, American mainstream population started bombarding homosexuals with prejudices and hatred to a position where members of this unconventional sexual culture decided to retaliate (Foner 57). In the same way that black Americans were recruited in military during the Second World War, gay soldiers were also recruited, after which they started demanding recognition after the war. After the successful black civil rights movement, gays were also in dire need of acceptance and recognition by American political and social institutions. With respect to black civil rights activism, Martin Luther King Jr. and the likes of Chavez felt that African Americans should be free in exercising their democratic rights in political platforms. In addition, Luther King advocated for the concept of social justice whereby black Americans ought to pursue their capitalistic rights in creating wealth without interference by whites. In fact King emphasized that the black population had a sad history of slavery, which placed them at a disadvantaged position economically (Weisner and William 60). As a result, the activist, together with his Latino counterpart Cesar Chavez wanted compensatory remedies in shaping the minorities’ economic status. Such demand for equality and compensatory remedies guided civil rights activism to its later stages. With respect to gay and lesbian movements, activists and sympathizers of homosexuals started becoming reminiscent of strategies used by blacks during their civil rights campaigns. In the same way blacks were barred from attending social amenities reserved for whites, so gay and lesbian Americans were not allowed access to licensed bars and restaurants. Similar to operation by the Ku Klux Klan, certain state authorities in the US, especially the New York Police Department created secret police wings tasked with identifying and harassing homosexual citizens. In fact New York was notorious for offering limited accommodation to gay persons. With respect to job opportunities, New York City police commission developed mechanisms used to screen out homosexuals during recruitment exercises into the police force (Foner 56). Such outright discrimination towards the American gay population reminded activists of the previous discriminations faced by black Americans in their societies. Consequently, they build their liberation strategies from philosophies used by civil rights activists. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez emphasized on the principle of equality of all men. These activists opposed any discrimination based on race and color. Similarly, gay and lesbian activists opposed any discrimination based on sexuality. They argued that all Americans should be allowed to enjoy their human rights, not as per dictates of the society, but as per provisions enshrined in the American constitution. Compared to the black civil rights movement, gay liberation employed both direct and indirect means of achieving their goals. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar employed direct but non violet approaches in getting their views heard by relevant authorities. Luther is widely known for his literary work and clerical publications directed towards creating consciousness within minds of oppressors. In addition, Cesar and Luther employed massive street demonstrations in communicating their demands (Foner 72). Similarly, gay activists staged non-violent demonstrations and pride parades. In addition, stakeholders within the gay liberation movement started producing publications and forming campaign groups across American societies. Subsequently, social institutions and governing authorities started exercising leniency towards homosexuals. Currently, the gay rights movement enjoys substantial support in the US and other North American countries. Conclusion In conclusion, it is undeniable that the two liberation movements staged by minority groups in the US during the 1960s derived its principles from the black civil rights movement. In practical sense, opportunities for military careers and white collar jobs during the Second World War paved way for strong position of blacks in American society. Consequently, their enhanced social status motivated the need for equality within a cosmopolitan nation. In a similar manner, women and homosexuals learned on strategies used by blacks in demanding for recognition, acceptance and equality. Therefore, the two groups used civil rights ideologies in structuring their campaigns against the different forms of social discrimination. Works Cited Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! New York, NY: W.W Norton & Company, Inc, 2011. Print. Foner, Eric. Voices of Freedom: United States of America. Harrisburg: W.W Norton & Company, Inc, 2011. Print. Weisner, Stephen and William, Hartford. American Portraits. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1998. Print. Read More