Introduction
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- In the civil rights movement during the 1940’s-1980’s many civil rights groups such as the (NAACP) National association for the advancement of Colored People, (SCLC) Southern Christian Leadership conference, (SNCC) Student nonviolent coordination committee, and (CORE) congress of Racial equality as well as Civil rights leaders such as Rosa parks,Martin Luther king Jr, The Freedom riders, Malcolm X, and the Black panthers would advocate for African Americans equal rights. Their protest, boycotts, and even marches would eventually lead to change. Such as the end of segregation, the rights to vote, and be given equal rights and treatment. Their efforts would eventually change how people of color were treated and viewed, leading them to be considered equally rather than second-class citizens.
- While the civil rights movement of 1940-1980's was mostly targeted towards changing the laws for African Americans equality. It would also inspire the fight for equal rights groups for women and other oppressed groups: Feminist groups, Caesar Chavez, Yellow power movement for Asian Americans, Red power movement for Native Americans and The Gay Liberation. Each had their own reasons for protesting and striking but each one wanted to improve the civil rights for themselves and others. They would advocate for things like being apart of american history, earning back the civil rights that were taken from them, become american citizens, fight against discrimination and criminlization, and for fair pay, employment protection and better working conditions.
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Background
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- After African american slaves were freed by the 14th and 13th amendment giving them the right to citizenship. In reaction, Jim Crow laws were created in order to separate them from the whites. Native Americans were often forced into reservations and “Americanized” by removing them of their culture, language, and traditions. Native Americans had been fighting for their promised land, and received compensation for being forced in reservations and being stripped from their culture through assimilation. Their “red power movement” of 1968 was to receive sovereignty rights and to be considered American citizens. Asian Americans faced discrimination and violence due to the attack of pearl harbor in World War 2, and fought against the internment camps they were placed in that took away many of their civil rights. Their “yellow power movement” of 1960’s-70’s goal was to be a part of American history and receive their civil rights. The Hispanic immigrants in California would fight for unfair working conditions for farmers. Their movement “struggle in the fields” lead by Cesar Chaves would organize farm workers in order to boycott, pilgrimage, fasts, and strike to receive better pay and working conditions. The Lesbians, Gays, and Trans were often forced to be hidden, criminalized, and discriminated against. The “Gay Liberation Movement” of 1960’s goal was to get the civil right to marry while also fighting against the criminalization of homosexuals, discrimination, and suppression against them. Women civil rights groups “feminist” during the 1970’s would fight against employment discrimination of pregnant women, the requirement to have a witness to corroborate a rape report, to criminalize domestic violence, and remove sexist stereotypes against themselves.
Interesting Information
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- During the civil rights movement there were many different civil rights groups and leaders advocating for change for African Americans rights. One of the protests would be the bus boycott that would start when a middle aged woman refused to give up her seat to a white man-breaking the segregation laws. She would be arrested leading to many who were outraged to stop using the buses which severely damaged their business since most of their income came from African Americans. This would begin the argument that the segregation laws were unconstitutional by congress and eventually lead to many other peaceful leaders and protest that would help shape the future of america, such as : Martin Luther King Jr, SCLC, SNCC, CORE Freedom riders, Math on Washington in 1963 and the March on Montgomery in 1965. However, some African Americans were unhappy with the rate things were going and demanded that more change be made which would result in more violent protests and leaders. Such as: Malcolm X who believed that MLK jr was subservient to whites and along with the Blank panthers also heavily support “self-defense”. He was also able to influence the minds of the SNCC and the CORE. turning them into violent groups who supported Black power through violence. In 1965 a voting act passed that would allow for African Americans and would also begin to show how deeply separated and unequal the white and black communities were due to the mass amounts of riots that had been happening in back communities. These riots would spread rapidly after the assassination of Martin Luther king Jr in April 1986 and would really begin to show African Americans pent up anger and frustration with racial discrimination.
- In the 1940-1980’s civil rights movement there were also many other organizations advocating for the civil rights of Women, Immigrants, Asians, Native Americans, And the lesbians, gays, and trans would be inspired by the African American Civil movement to advocate and fight for their own. The Women’s movement would be increased during the 1960’s due to Civil rights movement and the sexual revolution. The idea of sexual expression changed drastically during the sexual revolution changing things like abortions, premarital sex, medicine for sexual diseases, birth control, sexual education for teens, and homosexuality became more openly practiced. Then in the 1960’s women rights movement groups would advertise women to seek more fulfilling jobs while also filling the role of mother, wife, and home maker. The organization for women (NOW) along with feminist would be major groups during this time to ensure women received equal treatment and opportunities. The civil rights group United Farm Workers Organization and Cesar Chavez would organize the workers to boycott for equal and fair pay. They would also advocate for schools for Hispanic children that are taught in both Spanish and English. By the 2000’s Hispanics-including Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and other Latina groups would become the largest minority group. American Indian’s movement (AIM) would fight for their right to keep their culture and would go against assimilation in america. They would pass the act of Self-determination in 1975 that would give reservations and tribal lands greater control over education, law enforcement, and internal programs. They would also receive land for the treaty violations and were successful in improving education to improve poverty and unemployment rates. The new act would allow them to build casinos and reservations while also being able to overcome prejudices previously put on them. Asian Americans were a fast growing minority and would become one of the most represented in colleges and universities. However, they would still face many discrimination, envy, and japan bashing. Lastly, the Gay Liberation Movement would be started after a police raid on a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. They would encourage homosexuals to be open about their sexuality and would fight hard in order to go against the discrimination and criminalization they faced. And with their work by 1970’s homosexuality was no longer considered a mental illness therefor lifting the ban on employment of homosexuals.
Conclusion
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- In conclusion, the civil rights movement was important in getting equality for African Americans, women, Hispanics, Asians, and other minority groups. They consisted of mostly peaceful protests and advocates that would fight for voting rights, equal employment, end of segregation, fair payment, and equal opportunity. They would boycott business that went against their cause, march in masses, etc. They would greatly change the social norms and beliefs of America, even to this day.
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- The Civil rights movement for African Americans in the 1940’s-1980’s led them to be considered equal rather than second class citizens; ended segregation, gave them the rights to vote, and provided them with protection laws for employment. Women during the civil rights movements would receive sexual freedom, the rights to vote, and be given equal opportunities to be apart of men dominate work forces. Native Indians would get land back, have more control over education and law enforcement. While also being able to grow and keep their culture. Hispanic Immigrants would receive education in both Spanish and English, equal pay, and better working conditions. Homosexuals would eventually get the opportunity to have equal marriage, not be criminalized or looked at as mentally diseased, and be allowed to work in the military and workforce. The Civil rights movement for African Americans in the 1940’s-1980’s led them to be considered equal rather than second class citizens; ended segregation, gave them the rights to vote, and provided them with protection laws for employment. Women during the civil rights movements would receive sexual freedom, the rights to vote, and be given equal opportunities to be apart of men dominate work forces. Native Indians would get land back, have more control over education and law enforcement. While also being able to grow and keep their culture. Hispanic Immigrants would receive education in both Spanish and English, equal pay, and better working conditions. Homosexuals would eventually get the opportunity to have equal marriage, not be criminalized or looked at as mentally diseased, and be allowed to work in the military and workforce.