Civil Rights Movement -Then and Now
By: Shelbie LaPan
What was it?
What was done?
There were many riots that took place during this time and a lot of them ended with casualties not of white men and women but black men and women. Many people, black and white, worked together to end segregation.
The churches ran by black religious leaders were a huge part of the Movement. Non-violence was heavily rooted through religion and greatly relied on common sense. The leaders of the black churches were highly respected and so it was easy for them to gain supporters. For example, the Montgomery Bus Boycott was organized by religious leaders, mainly King. MLK used love, self-sacrifice and the restoration of black dignity during the time of the boycott.
Many groups like SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), and CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) worked to gain awareness to segregation and the Movement and show the world what was happening. They put together protests, marches and speeches that gained awareness to segregation.
Martin Luther King Jr.
SNCC
SCLC
Martyrs of the Movement:
While doing the time for a crime he did not commit he became very ill and was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. The witness of the "crime" had later said that Kennard did not steal the feed, they were just trying to keep him out of the school. The prison officials refused to treat him or let him do his time without hard labor. After many protests he was released halfway through his sentence. Six months later, Clyde Kennard died. Two years after that, the first black students were admitted to the University of Mississippi, the school that had denied Clyde Kennard's entry. (Below is a photo of Clyde Kennard being held by prison officials).
Martyrs of the Movement (continued):
On the night of March 21st, 1965, Viola was driving a black teenager by the name of Leroy Moton who was a SNCC member to Selma for the next day's march. A car pulled up next to her and shot into the car, killing Luizzo. Moton survived by playing dead. More than 300 people attended her funeral, including Martin Luther King Jr., Jimmy Hoffa (American Labor Union Leader) and US Attorney Lawrence Gubow. With the death of Viola Gregg Liuzzo, President Johnson launched an investigation into the KKK, believing they were the prime suspects. (Above in the middle is a photo of Viola Gregg Luizzo)
What's my top 5?
4. Civil Rights Act passed: The Civil Rights Act was passed, which forbade racial discrimination in many parts of cities where blacks and whites didn't intermingle, like hotels, voting, employment and schools. This was a huge spark in the Movement because it gave hope to the Blacks that they were gaining more respect than before.
3. Little Rock Nine: The Little Rock Nine was a group of 9 black students who enrolled and joined an all-white high school to get a better education. They were treated poorly and unfairly by the white students, but in the end, they all grew to become strong students who graduated from an all-white high school. This showed hope, strength and courage in the Movement.
2. Montgomery Bus Boycott: Rosa Parks was one of the most iconic women of the Civil Rights Movement. As the first black person to sit at the front of the bus, she was highly looked up to. She was arrested but showed the Black people to not be afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated: The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took a toll on the Black society. It was a time of grief and pain; however, they fought through it, and look where the Black Society is now: they are strong and created just as equal and white man and they interact with one-another like it was never a problem.