Civil Rights Movement in America, Essay Example

Introduction

Civil rights have been the subject of various movements in history all over the world. The fact that in America the execution of a man led to the political movement demanding equality before the law. The civil rights movement was the result of a more than hundred year struggle of the opposed, most importantly Black Americans who were not granted the same rights as other members of the public.

Thesis: The main purpose of the movement and the ideology behind it was to abolish the racial segregation of African Americans and provide them equal treatment in the legal system. However, it is evident that the ideas behind the political movement also focused on economic issues; such as the right for the same education and employment. (Newman, 2007)

Segregation VS Integration – Ideology

One of the greatest debates of the civil rights movement was the famous court case of the Supreme Court; Brown v. Board of Education, which resulted in the decision that public school segregation was indeed illegal. Integrationism was the ideology behind the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This group did not only fight for equality in front of the law, but equal opportunities and advancement in the society; the abolitionism of discrimination, racial violence and exclusion. It is, however, critical to look at the ideology of the

The universality of the Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights Movement as a liberation for not only blacks; first of all, there were many white American supporters who joined the political ideology and agreed with the demonstrations, and the Civil Rights Act (1964, and 1968), Voting Rights Act included the banning of any discrimination. We should not restrict our views of the Civil Rights Movements to the actions of the NAACP or the Black Power Movement (1966-1975). The ideology covered the discrimination based on gender, and was the main motivator of the American Indian Movement, Feminist Movement and Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement.

Strategies of the Civil Rights Movement

Defining civil rights and civil liberties was one of the main tasks ahead of the leaders. Indeed, the legislation of the changes needed preparation and the demonstrations needed organization and violence-free attitudes. The Montgomery Bus Boycott is one of the most prevalent examples of the strategies. Rosa Parks sent a message to the society when she refused to give up her seat on the bus to let a white man sit down. Her actions made Martin Luther King Jr start a boycott, who became the most characteristic figure of the movement.

Another example of the quiet demonstrations is the “student sit-ins” when some students refused to leave the segregated diner. While Kennedy supported the Civil Rights movement, he was unable to see the passing of the Bill in 1964, as he was assassinated in 1963.

 Who Played the Most Important Role?

The previously mentioned Thurgood Marshall is still one of the best known character of the civil rights movement that started in America. He started the legal battle which led to groups being formed all over the country, the support of Martin Luther King Jr, the realization of John F Kennedy that the conflicts originated from the country being divided by color could be dangerous for the society. While Kennedy supported the movement, he took a careful political approach and stated in his Senator speech: ““concern must be with the future. For the world is changing. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do.” (Kennedy, 1960) The ideological background and reasoning of the principles was still extremely influenced by Martin Luther King Jr. who stated:

“The black revolution is much more than a struggle for the rights of Negroes. It is forcing America to face all its interrelated flaws-racism, poverty, militarism, and materialism. It is exposing evils that are rooted deeply in the whole structure of our society … and suggests that radical reconstruction of society is the real issue to be faced.” (King, 1969)

King based his ideas on Christian universalism, meriting from the political ideology of the movement. (Hall, 2005)

The Outcomes of Civil Rights Movements – Aftermath

One of the major outcomes of the Civil Rights Movement was the Civil Rights Legislation. This stopped discrimination and placed it outside of the law. This was followed by the 1964 formation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within the Parliament and employers adapted new employment guidelines. This resulted in more equal opportunities for Black Americans, women and minority groups. The process is still ongoing in Western societies.

Conclusion

From the above overview of the civil rights movement in America, it is evident that it set into motion more than the acceptance of Black Americans in the society. It was a movement for absolute democracy and the abolition of suppressing different minority groups. It did not only involve the rights of Black Americans. The ideas delivered by the movement are still valid today. The ideas are proclaimed by politicians of democratic countries over the world.

References

Newman, M. (2004) The Civil Rights Movement. Edinburgh University Press

King, M. L. Jr (1969) A Testament of Hope.

Hall, J. (2005) The Long Civil Rights Movement and the Political Uses of the Past. The Journal of American History, Vol. 91, No. 4 (Mar., 2005),

Kennedy, J. F. (1960) Address of Senator John F. Kennedy accepting the Democratic Party Nomination for the Presidency of the United States, <http://www.4president.org/speeches/JFK1960convention.htm>