An Equal Society
Madelynn Hollenbeck
To what degree has the civil rights movement contributed to making the United States a more equal and just society?
More equal and just society
The United States before the civil rights movement was an unequal and an unjust society. The Constitution said "All men are created equal", however the U.S. stood far from that belief. They treated blacks as if they were their property, and not like a true human beaning. The whites took away there right to vote, where they could go, ability to go to school, and even where they sat on the bus. With these laws "rules" it took away many things for the blacks. Just simply because the color of there skin was different. There were few who made a stand to show people how society was treating them, and others that fought to get there rights back. The few that took a stand and fought back either died or gotten beaten up for trying. They also made a huge effect on people. Which we now call the civil right movement. This movement caused the United states to become more equal and just. However are we truly more equal?
Many say the civil right movement is what made the United States a more equal and just society. In many ways I agree that the movement did change society and the rights people have, but at the same time I feel the U.S. is still working towards the better society. I feel the civil right movement was a big part from the past that brought a better and more equal society, because it caused the racism to slowly fade away and give them more equal rights then what they had before. Which showed society blacks or as equal as whites, and that as time goes by the United States will be able to see that. Also the farther you read you will be able to see the people that took a stand , and the biggest moments during this time period.
1945 ~ 1968 Time When Things Changed
The civil rights movement was able to make the United States a more equal and just society. How did the movement change the United States, and what where the tactics used to make this change happen? There were many to take a stand and fight for what was right. They protested, marched, and made impacts on people. Many people would find was to stick up for there rights threw non-violence actions, but others thought the only way to get threw to people was with violence or to make them feel quilt. This was also the first movement to coincide with the rise of mass media to protest there rights. There was a movement threw each and every tactic used that was able to make a great impact.
The spark that started the modern Civil Rights movement was when Rosa Parks made her stand by refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. She ended up getting arrested for it. However it made a huge impact on people to see someone stick up for there rights. Which caused people to want to do the same, so than came Martin Luther King Jr. He was a spokesmen for the protest and an inspiration to the people. Also lead many marches to get the whites to give them there rights they deserved because they where no different. "All Men are created equal". Martin Luther King Jr. was there hope to get that back, and there hope to see that a change is coming eventually. Martin Luther King Jr. was also part of the development towards the boycott of the Montgomery Bus system. You may be wondering what it the boycott?
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, in which African Americans refused to ride city buses in Montgomery, Alabama. They did this to protest segregated seating. This is regarded as the first large scale demonstration against segregation. It lasted from December 5, 1955 to December 20,1956. It all started on the day of Rosa Parks court hearing and lasted 381 days. Than on June 5, 1956 a Montgomery federal court ruled that any law requiring racially segregated seating on buses violated the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This Amendment guarantees all citizens, regardless of race, equal rights and equal protection under state and federal law. Montgomery's buses were integrated on December 21, 1956, and the boycott ended.This was a huge part of the change of the U.S. equal rights because they started to see blacks where no different.
"I have a dream"
Justice
March
Unsung Heroes
Bayard Rustin
- Born March 17,1912 ~ Died August 24, 1987
- He was born and raised in Pennsylvania
- He earned a living as a night club and stage singer
- An American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism,nonviolence, and gay rights
Bayard Rustin was a man who saw a better future for society, and for peoples equal rights. He knew what he needed to do to get it there. Rustin made many different contributions during the civil rights movement that made a huge impact. When he saw the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. he knew he had to help him. Which he did by helping the organization of Southern Christian Leadership Conference to strengthen the king's leadership. He also became a leading strategist of the civil rights movement from 1955 to 1968. Rustin knew that he needed to do more to stand up for his rights so in 1963 Rustin became chief of the March on Washington for jobs and freedom. He was also very focused on economic problems of the working class and the unemployment of African Americans.He went from protest to politics as time went on. Rustin did all of these with nonviolence and promoted nonviolence to all. Threw his years he was constantly picked on for being gay, so he made the decision to also stick up for gay rights. There was so much more he was involved in, however these are the ones to stick out the most and show his true determination.
Ella Baker
- Born December 13,1903 ~ Died December 13,1986
- She was born in Virgina
- Had a sense for social justice
- Studied at Shaw University
Ella was a strong women who knew from an early age she had an amazing sense for social justice. As soon as she graduated in 1927, she started joining social activist organizations.Was involved in many woman organizations.In 1940, Baker began her involvement with the NAACP, and worked there switching positions for six years. Until she resigned in 1946. She did however help the NAACP with fighting for desegregate New York City public schools. Then in 1957 she joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and stayed there for two years. Ella was contently encouraging young activists.She was widely respected by the students who referred to her as "Miss Baker."