The Success of the Civil Rights Movement
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Writing instructions • Choose 1 of 2 essay questions to answer in essay format. • Each essay must be typed, in 12-pt double-spaced Times New Roman font with 1” margins. Each essay should be 6-8 pages and must not exceed the page limit. Any title page and bibliography (if necessary) is not included in your page limit. • To receive full credit, be sure to cite sources where appropriate. Please feel free to cite the course readings, videos and lectures. A bibliography is only necessary for outside material. • Adhere to the following citation guide: o To reference scholars from which you draw definitions, arguments, and evidence, simply list the last name of the author, like this: (McAdam). If quoting, also include the page number at the end of a sentence, like this: (McAdam, pg. 66). When citing Dawson or other authors from whom we have read multiple works, include the publication title, like this: (Dawson, Black Visions, pg. 41). To reference lecture, simply note the lecture date, like this: (Lecture, 07 July). • This exam is open-book and –note. However, from this point forward, you are to work individually on your exam. No collaboration on or discussion of your responses is permitted. Choose one of the following essays to answer: 1. The Civil Rights movement, which reached its height the 1960s, is historically remembered as one of the most successful and influential social movements in world history; however, to this day we have yet to see a similar movement for racial progress. What made the Civil Rights movement so successful at combating racism of the time, and why have we not seen a similar movement pick up where the Civil Rights movement left off fifty years ago? In your argument you should rely upon course material to discuss at least three specific examples of racism, discrimination and/or oppression to illuminate how the struggle for racial progress has changed since the 1960s, if at all. Lastly, do you believe that a movement for racial progress similar to the 1960s Civil Rights movement is possible (or even right) for America today? Why or why not? 2 2. Evaluate the prospects for racial progress in the contemporary United States, given the end of Barack Obama’s presidency and the rise of Donald Trump as we approach the 2020 election season. If the black community were to close ranks and make the pursuit of racial justice a priority the next four years, what African American ideological perspective would serve them best? In your answer, discuss the extent to which you understand racial justice has been achieved thus far, noting major time points at which great strides in progress were made, and specifying the forms of inequality you believe have endured (if you indeed believe racial inequality persists). Your argument should rely upon at least three explanations for the disadvantaged (or advantaged) state of blacks in America, citing specific evidence from course material. Finally, a good answer will consider what sorts of policies and/or programs might stem from the particular African American ideological approach you’ve identified.
Black Politics in America
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Black Politics in America
Over the years, in the United States, there have been significant changes, particularly improvement in the protection of the rights of all people, including the minority groups. After the end of WWII up until the late 1960s, America started to correct both human and civil rights to protect people from abuse that had been taking place for about a century. The emergence of the Civil Rights movement played a significant role in the success achieved in mitigating racial equality through polities over the years. The civil rights movement succeeded due to the continuous support by Congress, the Presidents, and the input of federal courts that helps offer African Americans political rights while also working on the persisting social and economic inequities. Between the 1940s and the 1950s, the move towards executive actions, from legislative action, helped set speed towards integration. Consequently, the Civil Rights Movement successfully combated racism since the movement did not use violent protest strategies. Thus, the government made significant efforts to fight towards eradicating discrimination, and executive action also helped change policies to accommodate all the citizens. In addition, the word was spread through churches of the minority groups regarding the planned protest tactics. At the same time, students also played a significant part in protesting against the inequities in education facilities.
President Truman was among the U.S. presidents who significantly impacted the Civil Rights movement's success. He made efforts to expand on Roosevelt's racial reconciliation and moderation efforts. Truman established a Committee on Civil Rights whose intent was to create a civil rights division In the Department of Justice in the U.S., enforce federal anti-lynching laws and deal with desegregation in the interstate transportation sector. However, the efforts by Truman were not without challenges since he faced backlash from the solid Democratic South, who were against the efforts by the administration, forming a conservative party that demanded that the system of segregation be preserved and maintained. As the President of the U.S during this period, Truman supported the Civil Rights Movement, which would not have been the case if the movement had helped violent protests to demand their rights.
The efforts of the courts to make the Civil Rights Movement a success was evident with their fair judgement. The Brown v. Board of Education of 1954 was an example of a case of segregation in the admission of Negro race in public schools. During the period, it was evident that there were specific benefits that the white students enjoyed while the Negro students were denied despite having similar educational qualifications. Education had emerged as a vital state and local government function. There had emerged laws requiring that all children be educated, and the high government expenditure on education demonstrates educating the entire democratic society. Through education, children needed to be awakened to cultural values to help them prepare for professional training later in life while normally adjusting to their environment. In reference to the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the government had decided to provide education to children. The right needed to be made available on equal terms (52).
The African Americans also played a significant role in the fight for the Civil Rights movement's success. Among the most famous and successful individuals during the period was Martin Luther King. Jr. led the Civil Rights movement demonstrations and peaceful strikes aimed at moving towards an equal society. Martin Luther King's efforts were evident throughout the period until his death, and his dedication went over and beyond. While in Birmingham jail, Luther King wrote a letter explaining that he had been arrested for holding a peaceful "direct-action program" (Gilliam p. 96). During this period, Christianity had been spread throughout America, and most people hold on to the beliefs, ranging from Americans to African Americans. Luther King, in his letter, attempted to bring out how his mission relates to Christianity. He views himself as similar to the prophets who left their villages and spread God's word to other towns. He stated that he was similarly compelled to take the freedom gospel to Birmingham. Luther King's way of bringing out his actions and relating them to Christianity was an important and successful way to bring more people on board to support the movement and help stop the unfair treatment of racial minorities. The civil rights movement use of non-violent campaigns was a success as they invested in four main steps; First, they began by collecting the necessary facts to find out if there were injustices against the racial minority. The next step would be to negotiate with the local government to see if there is any action they can take to hel...