Civil Rights Movement
Kristine Beaumont
Civil Rights Movement and Today
In today's world, we have become more adaptable to the idea of equality for all. This includes many of today's topics; transgender, bisexual, gay, lesbian, etc. The number of racial tension has decreased insanely. America has become more respectable to other races throughout the world that live here in America. I believe that without the help of the civil rights movement, we would have not been able to move forward with equality.
Moving for Desegregation
Montgomery Bus Boycott
On December 1st, 1955 Rosa parks in Montgomery Alabama refused to give up her seat to a white rider, as she sat in the front of the bus when the rules were that blacks must sit in the back. She was then sent to jail. Because of this incident the African-American community started to boycott the city's bus. 5 days later 90% of the community had boycotted the bus. This put a toll on the city because 3/4 of Montgomery was colored. By the next December, the buses were finally integrated due to the court case of Browder v. Gayle. The court announced the segregation of buses was unconstitutional. Martin Luther King Jr. played a huge role in this boycott which then created national attention.March on Washington
In 1963 black leaders began to plan a March on Washington that was designed to advocate the passing of the Civil Rights Act that was stalled in Congress. Black and whites all around were urged to attend. Arrangements were made to make sure this was a success. More than 200,000 black and white Americans attended this day with speeches, songs and prayers led by clergymen, civil rights leaders, politicians etc. But, Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream" famous speech is what made the day, a day in history. The march was nevertheless projected affirmations of hope, and the faith in works of black and whites to work together with racial equality.
Freedom Rides
A group of 13 African-American and white civil rights activists made "The Freedom Rides" in May, 1961. They created a series of bus trips through southern America to protest segregation in bus terminals. This group of people were recruited by the Congress of Racial Equality which was a civil rights group. This group started in Washington D.C. and attempted to desegregate facilities at bus terminals. This group would use "whites only" restrooms, lunch areas, etc. Unfortunately, the group had to deal with loads of violence from white protesters along their journey. Luckily, their cause created nation-wide attention. Over the next couple of months, hundreds of freedom riders engaged in similar actions. By September 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commission issued regulations prohibiting segregation in bus and trains nation wide.