Misconceptions About Civil Rights

Many people think that the Civil Rights Movement was only an issue that happened during the 1960s due to social unrest.  Most people believe that civil rights was a movement that was started by people like Martin Luther King and Rosa Park and was dominated by black power. In actuality, the issue of civil rights began in the early 1900s and has been discussed by various people with similar opinions. For example, legal challenges to segregate schools began in 1933.This was two decades before the Brown v. Brown board of education decision in the Supreme Court. People who were against Jim Crow laws also argued about Gandhi's principles during the 1920s. North Carolina historians believe that the era of the first civil rights movement began in the 1920s. Also, many people don't realize that the world wars placed a great effect on civil rights. In the years after World War 1, feminism, communism, and civil rights were all ideas that brought up the the topic of equality internationally. Black soldiers found that they weren't being treated equally and faced racism during their time at war. This caused outrage as black publications during war published letters from black soldiers' complaints about the way they were treated. This helped influence a need for civil rights to be made known in the black communities. Another misconception about civil rights is that civil rights began in black churches and was dominated by middle class black men. Also, it was believed that issue of civil rights and equality didn't make itself an important issue that was known to the public until the 1960s when televisions were in use. Another example of the civil rights struggle is of "Pauli" Murray. Pauli battled the civil rights movement during the 1930s as one woman. She would make lectures and fought for her causes of black civil rights, communism, feminism, and sexual liberation and identity. Murray applied for graduate studies at the University of North Carolina, which was an all white and all male school. She challenged white juries and the Jim Crow laws. Surprisingly, Rosa Parks wasn't the first woman to give up her seat in the bus. Murray also refused to give up her seat when she was sitting in the white section of the bus, and therefore was arrested in 1940. This shows that many people have struggled against civil rights and various people have emphasized on the issue of equality for all.

sources: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2008/02/the-first-civil-rights-movement/
             http://vikingnet.org/neyer/social_change.htm

The Woman that reversed History: Mrs. Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1913. Although her family did not have a very big influence on her belief, Mrs.Parks believed in her own rights, and didn't like the fact that everyone like her was being segregated. Everyone knows Mrs. Parks as the woman on the bus that didn't give up her seat to a white man because she didn't believe in that. Which is known as the Montgomery Bus BoycottShe basically refused to get up! Who would ever think not giving up a seat on a bus would change so much in history? Well Rosa Parks never expected the things that were coming her way after this incident. She was immediately taken to the police station and had gotten arrested for convicting of violating the laws of segregation, known as “Jim Crow Laws.” Her act started the bus boycott two days later. The boycott lasted for 13 months, and were lead by young baptist Martin Luther King Jr. Because of her brave actions Rosa had gotten fired from her job, and had to move with her husband at her side. Rosa Parks moved to Detroit after this incident and continued her life right where she left off. She was recognized and achcieved a lot of successes after this incident. Rosa Parks was named the "Mother of the Freedom Movement" and the "First Lady of the Civil Rights" by the U.S. congress. She also received national recognition which included the NAACP's 1979 Spingarn Medal, the Presidental Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a posthumous statue in the United State's Capitol's National Satuary Hall. Upon her death in 2005, she was the first woman and second non-U.S. government official to lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda. Rosa Parks was also on the list of "The 20 Most Influential People of the 20th Century". She died in her apartment in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 92 on October 24th, 2005. An estimated 50,000 people viewed her casket.  The day of Rosa's funeral procession, President George W. Bush ordered all flags in the Nation's Capitol and all United States public areas. This is a great honor for Rosa Parks, because she truly was a legacy and reversed history. If it wasn't for that one day that Rosa Parks decided not to give up her seat, who knows where we'd be in history today?

Famous Quotes:

"Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome."

"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear."
"I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free."

"Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others."

John F. Kennedy's Contribute to Civil Rights

In the 1960s, blacks and whites were not treated equally. The blacks and whites were segregated from each other. Blacks had to sit at the end of the bus, while the whites sat in the front. Blacks and whites lived in seperate neighborhoods and went to seperate schools as well. Black people also didn't get the chance to vote. Blacks were not capable of having the same opportunites as whites, and John F. Kennedy wanted to change this. Kennedy promised to end racial discrimination during his Presidential Inaugural adress in 1961.During his time in office, he appointed black people to many federal positions. He appointed about 40 blacks to administrative posts and selected five black federal judges. Blacks were being given more opportunites and they were being put into higher positions. Blacks  were finally moving their way up in society by taking part in important jobs. In 1960, the Freedom Rides movement was taking place when civil right activists were fighting for equality in bus seating. John F. Kennedy fully supported this. By 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commision helped civil rights by saying that bus seating would be equal as everyone can sit anywhere they want regardless of who they are. In 1960, many blacks were living in poor neighborhoods and 57% of non-whites were living below standards. Blacks weren't given the opportunity to live in nicer homes due to segregation. John F. Kennedy wanted to change this by banning racial discrimation in housing in 1962 by placing an executive order. In the 1960s, there was also a problem with black people not being able to vote. Blacks were being proved powerless as they didn't have an opportunity to have a say in their society by not being able to vote. John F. Kennedy wanted to give the opportunity for blacks to get registered to vote. In that case, Kennedy supported students to register black voters in the South. He hoped that black people could finally have a say in their society by possibly changing laws and changing the thoughts of the government. Another problem that was ocurring was school segregation. Blacks and whites weren't allowed to go to the same school. Kennedy helped support people who were in favor of desegregation, which is the action of trying to put blacks and whites together in the same school. Kennedy encouraged black studentes, like James Meredith, who tried to go to all white schools and tried to protect them as well from cruel people who were against desegregation. He also tried enrolling black people into schools. Kennedy finally saw this as an important issue in society that needs to be pointed out. He thought the unequal treatment between blacks and whites was wrong and discrimination needed to be put to an end. Later, Kennedy proposed new civil right laws to the congress. These laws enabled blacks to vote, go to school, get jobs, and be treated fairly in scoiety without discrimination. These laws enabled everyone to be treated equally and have the same opportunites. The Civil Rights Act finally passed two years after his assasination in November 1963. Even though John F. Kennedy's life was cut short, he still managed to make a great contribution to civil rights during his presidency. He is still remembered today for his noble contributions towards American society.



source: http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/jfk.htm

The Great King

One of the main enforcers behind this movement was Martin Luther King Jr. He was the leader of the nonviolent fight for equality.
Background:
January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968
He grew up surrounded by religion and by the age of 15, he already graduated high school. He attended Morehouse College, where his father and grandfather also both graduated from. As an adult, he became a pastor. He married Coretta Scott and they had 4 children together.
Involvement with Civil Rights:
The first triumphs King achieved as the leader of the Civil Rights movement is the bus boycott. This boycott lasted almost a whole year.  Even though his was harassed, had his house bombed, and he was arrested during this boycott, he still preserved and displayed his strong will power. Adding to this fleet, he travelled 6 million miles and gave at least 2500 speeches that helped support the cause. He wrote 5 books along with many articles.
Arrests: 20
The number of times he was assaulted: 4
Fun Facts: Youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and he is seen as the Man of the Year in the Times.
Death: On April 4, 1968, King was on a balcony in the city of Memphis, when he was assassinated. This date is still recognized in today’s society.  
Famous Quotes said by King:"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."
                                    


Sources:http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html

Some powerful photos from civil rights marches and riots

 

 

 

Malcolm X

Malcolm Little, as he was originally named, was a profound Civil Rights activist, who was not opposed to resorting to violence in order to promote change. He believed that in order to enact change, people had to do fight "by any means necessary."  As a young child, his father was killed. He had always been a smart student, but when a teacher told him he could not achieve his dreams because of his race, Malcolm lost interest in school and dropped out. He went to Massachusetts and New York where he got caught up with narcotics, prostitution, and gambling. Malcolm and his friend were caught and charged for burglary. Malcolm was sent to prison for 10 years. While there, he became interested in the Muslim religion, and the teachings of the Nation of Islam's leader, Elijah Muhammad.  By the time he was out of prison, Malcolm became a follower and changed his last name to X, to represent the lost tribal name of his family.

Malcolm was appointed as minister and spokesman for the Nation of Islam. His personality had captured attention, and he brought in thousands of members within about a 10 year span. However, Malcolm was crushed to find that his leader, Elijah Muhammad, was secretly having relations with 6 other women, some of which resulted in children. Malcolm felt that the entire organization was built on too many lies, so in 1964, he terminated his relationship with the NOI. In the same year, he went to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Upon returning, Malcolm now spoke for equality for all races. While at a speaking engagement in Manhattan, 3 gunman from the NOI assassinated Malcolm.

Malcolm X was a powerful Civil Rights leader; he not only spoke for African Americans, but for all races. His intelligence and vitality made him an excellent speaker and leader. Some of his most famous quotes are:

"By any means necessary."

"...Early in life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise."

"Human rights are something you were born with. Human rights are your God-given rights. Human rights are the rights that are recognized by all nations of this earth."

                  

 

http://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio3.html

Pop Culture

During the 1950's, there were two types of radio stations-- black and white. If you wanted to purchase a "race record", you had to go to the counter and ask specifically for one. They were hidden under the counter as if it were almost illegal to sell a "race record". These types of stations soon mixed the races by the end of the 1950's, The most unrecognized fighters in the battle for the Civil Rights Movement were the disc jockeys. By playing both white and black music, the DJs unknowingly "were in the front lines of the battle of Civil Rights". Another unacknowledge person who was actually a main contributor for the Civil Rights movement was Elvis Presley. Through his blues singing and style, he was obviously an African American supporter and lover. His influence had a domino effect on other furture aritists.
--Alex Earls
http://www.elvis-history-blog.com/civil-rights.html

Prejudice

Prejudice usually begins when someone behaves or acts differently towards someone else without any reason. People usually make judgements against others without propersly getting to know them by experience. Prejudice usually comes from pre-judgemens made by people who may seem arrogant, ignorant, or irrevelant. Unfortunately, prejudice still exists. Even though we have tried to eliminate the barriers that prevent us from becoming equal, there are still subtle signs in our society that show us that prejudice still exists. There are still people out there who make pre-judgements against others due to stereotypes. In our society, there are stereotypes about race, gender, and ethnicity. These stereotypes represent how each group is portrayed and everyone percieves these stereotypes differently. These kind of stereotypes make it possible for prejudice to occur. Unfortunately, we can't really change the way that our society percieves these stereotypes. Our society has made it so that we don't really question our judgements against others, or understand that our judgements are wrong. This is why prejudice cannot be avoided in today's society due to our inability to understand that  our pre-judgements against others aren't always right. Our thoughts come from our consciousness and these thoughts against these different stereotypes are all within us. Our natural extinct is to listen to our gut feeling and judge people based on what we think. If we start to let ourselves get to know a person without judging them, we can find that our pre-judgments against them may be different from how they truly are. We need to give the chance to let people prove themselves to show that stereotypes and pre-judgements don't matter.

source: http://dailyuw.com/archive/2010/01/20/imported/unfortunately-prejudice-still-exists

Fighting for Change

In order to affect change, citizens performed various forms of protests. Essentially, these protests were divided between two categories; violent and non-violent. Often, leaders like Martin Luther King promoted passive resistance. An example of this is the Nashville sit ins. In this form of protest, blacks would simply sit at a white lunch counter. When they were taunted and hit,  they did not fight back, nor flee.The philosophy behind this idea is that protesting with violence would actually further damage the violent reputation that blacks have already held for so many years. Yet others would argue that it is because of this subordinate behavior that they were still discriminated against in the South. Furthermore, non violent tactics did not attract the attention of the media. Consequently, other Civil Rights leaders like Malcolm X, resorted to violence in order to get the point across. The Watts Riot was the largest and most costly uprising of urban protesters during the Civil Rights era. Various other violent incidents occurred in which civil rights activists were murdered or held captive by groups like the Ku Klux Klan. To me, it seems that the nonviolent tactics resulted in change more so than violence. Although sometimes violent behavior arose from the passive protests, less people were hurt or killed in the end, and I think that is what makes passive resistance a better tactic.

On Violence and Nonviolence  http://mshistorynow.mdah.state.ms.us/articles/62/the-civil-rights-movement-in-mississippi-on-violence-and-nonviolence

Watts Riots http://crdl.usg.edu/events/watts_riots/?Welcome

Nashville Sit Ins http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nashville_sit_ins.htm

Moments that were never forgotton from the Civil Rights Movement

When we think of the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. , Rosa Parks and Malcom X come to our mind as well as other famous African Americans that made a differrence. It all started from Truman that signed the Executive Order in 1981 , that states that all people are treated equally. This became the start of the Civil Rights movement. On December 1st, 1955 Rosa Parks sat in front of a bus and wouldn't give up her seat to a white man. The Montgomery black community started a riot and didn't ride the bus for a little more than a year. In September of 1957, nine black students wanted to try going to an all white high school, but weren't allowed to enter. Today these children are known as the Little Rock Nine. A couple years after that incident, on February 1st , at a lunch counter four black students began a "sit-in". After this incident it became effective all around including swimming pools, parks, theatres and libraries all throughout the south. Some turning points today definetely include our first African American president. Back in the 1950's no one would never think America would be even able to have an African American president. Fortunately this has changed history, and brought more possibilities for African Americans all around the Country.



Sources: http://school.familyeducation.com/civil-rights/african-american-history/47046.html

Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience is defined as instead of a violent protest, people would try to get their point across by a peaceful protest. Gandhi was a main advocate for this type of protest. Soon, African American leaders heard of this new type of protest so they started to adapt to this idea of nonviolence. Gandhi's influence formed the orgainzation called CORE. CORE, even though it was a small orgainzation, had many sit-ins. By 1960, these type of sit-ins spread and it helped the public become more aware of the cause. The arrests at the sit-ins helped spread the word of equality rather than hindering the cause.
-Alex Earls
 http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/movements-and-campaigns/movements-and-campaigns-summaries?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=17&sobi2Id=22

What Are Civil Rights?

The definition of Civil Rights, according to the "The Free Dictionary," is: "The rights belonging to an individual by virtue of citizenship, especially the fundamental freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and by subsequent acts of Congress, including civil liberties, due process, equal protection of the laws, and freedom from discrimination." However, looking back on history, one can see that there is so much more attributed to the title, "Civil Rights." History tells us a lot about Civil Rights, and the further we delve into it, the more we learn. Civil Rights is more than just a few amendments of the U.S. Constitution; it's a vital show of dignity and respect that all humans are entitled to give to one another. To all races and genders, Civil Rights allows minorities to have the ability to be like everyone else; complete equality and fairness. The Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 60s was a major turning point in American History. It marked a change that was way past it's due.

Sources: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/civil+rights