Civil Rights
by Daniel Craig
Civil Rights Effects Today
The riots today are an example of the modern day fight to end racism and promote equality. Although MLK and the leaders of the past made huge strides towards creating a more accepting world, their work lives on today. In just the past year, there have been three major riots in favor of civil rights.
The Tactics Fighters Used
-----When people heard King and the smaller movement leaders talk, they knew that their tactics were going to be effective and almost unstoppable. African Americans everywhere were motivated to get going on the movement. Students were the mainstay of protests, staging sit-ins and nonviolent actions at every opportunity.
-----Many organizations were founded to make action against racism, like the NAACP. They helped racist destroy racist foundations and segregation against all races. These groups still exist today and were very successful at the time, creating media buzz for segregation and encouraging the youth to help with the cause. These organizations tried to bring wrongdoers and segregation offenders to court and give them a fair trial. They also tried to help blacks that were brought to court under unfair circumstances.
-----Marches were widespread and probably the biggest part of the fight. MLK himself led many marches, with various church preachers or even nonreligious people leading some as well. Sometimes these protests were met with retaliation and many blacks were hurt or even killed for their cause. Many court cases were protested for their unfairness, because a white person would rarely be convicted of a murder or rape of a black person.
-----Since busses were such a big part of the segregation, a boycott was staged on the transportation industry. Blacks weren't going to ride busses until they could sit where they pleased and the busses came to their neighborhoods. The bus industry came screeching to a halt because of all the lost revenue and they were forced to make a change. Groups like the Freedom Riders contributed heavily in this area of the protests.
Jewish civil rights activist Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. marching with Martin Luther King in 1963.
Blacks protest for their rights.
Unsung Heroes
-----In the Plessy v. Ferguson case, Homer Plessy became a figurehead for civil rights for years to come. Homer had tried to dispute the 'separate but equal' way of thinking from the US government. In his loss to Ferguson, Homer created a firestorm. People everywhere were now trying to stop the government's idea of 'separate but equal.' Everyone now knew that the government was not going to change for them. That they had to make the changes themselves. Being separate was not in any minorities plans at this period, and the government wasn't going to stop them from reaching equality. This court case was influential all the way until today, with the broken idea still spinning in people's heads of 'separate but equal.' Separation is the exact opposite of equality, and the bus boycott showed that clearly. Minorities wanted the same rights as everyone else, and this case showed them they'd have to take it by force.