Is The U.S More Equal and Just?
Michaela Delicino
Did It Change Anything?
The Civil Rights Movement changed how African Americans were looked at and treated. Today we are more accepting of African Americans, and most consider them equal. For awhile America went along with the statement "separate but equal", but eventually America found that they were in fact not We see many events that lead to better rights for African Americans.
In May of 1954 the case Brown v. Board of Education they ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal". From December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956 African Americans boycotted the bus system in Montgomery by not taking the bus. they would carpool and even walk miles in order to make a statement. Because of this the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ordered Montgomery to integrate its bus system. These and other events lead to the equality we have today.
In May of 1954 the case Brown v. Board of Education they ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal". From December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956 African Americans boycotted the bus system in Montgomery by not taking the bus. they would carpool and even walk miles in order to make a statement. Because of this the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ordered Montgomery to integrate its bus system. These and other events lead to the equality we have today.
Nah, I'll Just Walk.
On December 1st, 1955 and African American woman named Rosa Parks hopped on the bus after a day at work. She took a seat in the first row of the "colored section". All of the white seats on the bus were filled. The bus driver asked three African Americans inducing Parks, to move to another seat. The two moved, but Rosa did not. Rosa Parks was arrested and fined.
The Idea of boycotting the bus system sprouted. African Americans accounted for about 75% of the ridership. They would organize car pools just to keep of the buses. They even would walk miles just to get to work.This effected not only the buses, but local businesses as well. People would walk to closer places instead of going to a business they liked or wanted to go to. On December 21, 1956 the buses were integrated and the boycott ended.
The Idea of boycotting the bus system sprouted. African Americans accounted for about 75% of the ridership. They would organize car pools just to keep of the buses. They even would walk miles just to get to work.This effected not only the buses, but local businesses as well. People would walk to closer places instead of going to a business they liked or wanted to go to. On December 21, 1956 the buses were integrated and the boycott ended.
News article on the bus boycott
Flyer about car pooling
Table, Booth, or Neither?
The idea of the sit-ins were introduced in February of 1960 when four African American college students sat at a whites only table. When refused service, they sat there peacefully and waited service. They would be yelled at, threatened, and even get food thrown at them. Some were even physically attacked and the person would just curl up into a ball and take what was coming at them. Protests broke out shortly after.
"I Want You To Love Your Enemies"
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr coined the idea that they should protest for equal rights without using violence. His movement was inspired by Gandhi's teachings. Many peaceful marches were put into place and many other strategies like sit-ins.
Emmett Till
Emmett Till was born on July 25, 1941in Illinois.The 14 year old traveled to Mississippi to visit family. One day Emmett and his friends went to town to go to the store. While standing outside the store, the store owners wife walked by. It was said that he had flirted with her. A few days later two white men dragged Till out of bed. The men beat him and then shot him in the head. The men admitted to killing him but was not found guilty.
Medgar Evers
Evers was born on July 2, 1925, in Mississippi. He was drafted into the army in 1943, and fought in WWII. After graduating college he begin working as an insurance salesman where he got involved in the Regional Council of Negro Leadership. Evers applied to the University of Mississippi Law School. After being denied entry for being black, he volunteered to help the NAACP. He became the first NAACP Field Secretary in Mississippi. Evers researched on the murders of George Lee, Lamar Smith, Emmett Till and others.
CORE
The organization was founded in 1942. They engaged in sit-ins and picketing campaigns to desegregate public places. They also helped register voters to gain national attention. The CORE broke down legal racial barriers that kept African Americans from exercising their rights.
SCLC
It was founded February 14, 1957 by MLK. They used a nonviolent direction to stop the inequality and justice of African Americans. Using this tactic helped them desegregate lunch counters, swimming pools, libraries, theaters, and other public accommodations. With MLK in charge they succeed in keeping the movement in the media.