African American Civil Rights Research Paper
African Americans have faced great difficulties in owning and having a voice and respect in the early years in the United States of America. For far too long, they have faced oppression by the whites. However, they no longer accepted the mistreatment and double standards they faced and took a stand and fought for they believed in. Even though African Americans did not have much rights as families, the fact that they stood up for themselves, to bring peace, honor, and freedom was enough so that they can start a new life and many new opportunities to start a whole new way of living.
What is a Civil right? Civil rights are a demand for certain types of people to earn their rights which was taken away from them by certain individuals or groups. …show more content…
There are many types of civil rights movements that involve a person to have the right to say what they want whether verbally or written, (i.e. press), their chances to vote and the right to be in public places as they please.
The African American Civil rights movement started around 1955 and it ended around 1968. The goal of this movement was to exile the discrimination that was taken place in the United States. This discrimination affected many African Americans lives- and by fighting for civil rights, they were trying to ensure a new life that would grant them the rights to vote in the states in the south. The black movement granted African Americans the dignity they have been fighting for, places in politics, a say in economics and most importantly independence from white autocracy.
The biggest civil right act was resulted by the accomplishments of the 13th and 14th amendment. The 13th amendment destroyed slavery that was present in the United States. As stated by President Lincoln in 1863, “all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” (Our documents, Abolition of slavery, 1865)
The Swann Vs Charlotte – Mecklenburg board of education was a major case in the United States that affected many students and the majority of the African American community. This case has been taken seriously by the Supreme Court because of integration of busing in public schools. It was held in the state of North Carolina and even though it was an up to date state compared to many other southern states, its battle with the idea of integration wasn’t as strong as other states surrounding them. The segregation has ended in the community. However, even though this is the case and segregation was removed from the system, many African Americans still attended all black schools. The Swann case was brought to court in regards of a little boy his name was James Swann, he was of ten years old among other children and families as well. Little James swann’s father was a theology professor as well, so he was a well educated man in the society. In the year 1965 the Judge ruled in the favor of the board of education because he claimed that there was no compulsion in the constitution that forced them to increase racial mixing. However, after a while the case was then filed again and handled by a different judge and this was his very first important case to deal with in the federal bench. Even though his true feelings were against racial integration in busses, he decided to set aside his feelings in the matter and to follow the constitutional requirements which were to avoid segregation. People often question what the Jim Crow system was and what it represented. The Jim Crow system was a racial social class which functioned mostly in southern states. It started around 1877 and continued until the 1960’s. Those who followed the Jim Crow system basically looked upon it as merely a way of living. African Americans basically were considered second class citizens of these states. Sadly, Priests and ministers also gave a hand in the segregation of whites and blacks. They explained that white people were the ones who were chosen by God while African Americans were born and cursed to become slaves. Politicians who were with segregation mostly gave speeches on the dangers their society would face is integration took place and the harms of it. Newspapers often referred to African Americans by awful and hurtful names- and pushed the hatred for blacks deeper and deeper into people’s hearts. Even children games belittled African Americans. The Jim Crow system had certain guidelines and laws that must be followed by individuals living in the state. Whites in all cases and matters were much more important and stronger than any black man or woman. If black were treated with respect and kindness, then it would cause a social mixing between two races and that could cause destruction to the United States. Black men were not allowed to shake hands with any white man as this would mean that they were both on the same social class. They were not allowed to eat together – if however this were to happen, then white people were to be offered first before any black and they could not see close together. A black man was not allowed to show any sort of intimacy to his wife in public as this could be considered offensive to whites. Whites could never be accused of lying nor could a black person suggest or assume that a white family is from a lower class, even if they were. The rules go on and on and with each little law, come offense to an African American individual. “Trains and buses were also segregated and in many states marriage between whites and African American people.” (Jim Crow laws, N.D)
Often if an African American person were to violate these laws and use public transportation among the whites they were considered to have gone against the law and become arrested and usually fined.
However, in the year 1956 the famous Martin Luther king alongside Rosa parks designed a Montgomery bus boycott event that was followed by many or almost all African Americans who were seeking freedom from such inequality in their state. A man named James Weldon created the well known phrase “The red summer”. He was a man who seriously had passion for fighting off segregation and racial discrimination. He was a man who also protested against the violence in the summer of 1919. The red summer was named because of the riots that were taking place in more than three cities in America. Many white people attacked the African Americans and in many cases, the retaliation was fought back by the often abused African Americans. "The riots had economically significant negative effects on blacks' income and employment. Further, those effects may have been larger in the long run - from 1960 to 1980 - than in the short run - from 1960 to 1970." (How the 1960’s Riots hurt African Americans, …show more content…
2011)
With the constant fighting, rioting and people trying to undermine African Americans, a few individuals stepped up and fought for their liberation. Among one of those people was a brave woman named Rosa parks. She was born in Alabama in the year of 1913. Her mother was a school teacher and she constantly taught her daughter, Rosa parks to always fight for civil rights. Rosa and her husband were both a part of the NAACP which is the National Association for the advancement of colored people. She started becoming good friends with others who were also activists as she was thus working together in many organizations. Some students that established peace groups wanted to follow the Gandhi peaceful way of life and methods that he used to bring peace between Britain and Indians. They believed that if they can use the same method which black people would finally receive the civil rights they needed to survive and live peacefully amongst the whites. In December 1955, Rosa parks was going home after her work and sat in the same bus she usually rides in on a day to day basis. The bus that day had become full and the bus driver had asked her to give up her seat to a white man- even though she was sitting in the black section which was in the back bus. Even though she was asked to do such thing on many occasions, this time her refusal had her locked up and fined. Because of this, she chose to become a test case with the NAACP regardless of her knowledge that it would cause her problems and become persecuted. During this time, Martin Luther king Jr then decided to help arrange protests to remove bus segregations. Working together, black people then decided to set hand in hand and completely boycott busses until all passengers then were treated equal in buses. Because of this, Martin Luther king was arrested and his home was bombed. But this was not Martin Luther king’s fate only; rather it was also experienced by many others who took part in the protests and organization such as a man named Edgar Nixon. However, with all this pain and suffering, the protests continued- stronger than before.
Edgar Nixon was a man who was a well known American civil rights activist. He was a leader and an organizer and his role was very crucial in the Montgomery bus boycott act. He was born in 1899. And through his life he only received a year of education however this did not stop him from having voting campaigns and civil rights for black citizens. In 1940, he planned an event of 750 African American men to march to court and try to vote.
Martin Luther king Jr was born in January 1929.
His father was a Baptist and his mother was a school teacher. He was a very smart boy even at such a young age, even after he was expelled from school at five years old because of him being too young to be in first grade- it had not stopped him to receiving a college degree – he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in SA. Martin Luther king Jr stood for what he believed in and fought for it no matter the consequences. He led marches that voiced his voice as well as others to have a right to vote. “He led the black boycott (1955-56) of segregated city bus lines and in 1956 gained a major victory and prestige as a civil-rights leader when Montgomery buses began to operate on a desegregated basis.” (Martin Luther king Jr biography, 2007) During the bus boycott – the thousands of black people instead of taking buses started walking or created black taxis that would only be for African American people, it was a small car owning system. Because of this, revenue was lost greatly and the Supreme Court then brought integration on buses bringing an end to the
boycott.
The First World War really inspired African Americans to make a strong effort to bring democracy in the United States for all races. African American soldiers who were in the segregated division usually also always protested for the racial injustice. Those who were a part of the NAACP- of both races, fought against discrimination and the ongoing segregation that still existed despite the movements that was taken place all over. African Americans tried to help protect any black soldiers that were in the military from receiving ill treatments while being in the army. Many young African Americans were so happy and excited to serve for their country and fight- however, only a small group was part of the combat while the rest was merely supporting. The French did appreciate the presence of the African American troops that were present as they also enjoyed listening to their music. The soldiers that were present often did serve but in segregated divisions. There were African Americans who also helped fight with the French against the Germans thus rewarding them with an award. Because of the racial discrimination protests that were often taking place, this helped the African Americans to receive officer trainings. Many were then captains and some became lieutenants. Unfortunately, blacks were still fighting the chance to vote. The new law that was proposed was that the only way a man can vote is if his grandfather voted. This was called the grandfather clause. “One form of voting restriction aimed specifically at African Americans was the Grandfather clause that allowed men to register to vote only if they could have voted in 1867 (before African Americans were allowed to vote in the South) or descended from an 1867 voter.”(History matters, 2006) This law was successfully terminated due to the fact that it was against the fifth amendment of the constitution.
The Civil rights act has been fought for, for many years – the Selma march was led by the well known Martin Luther King Jr and President John F Kennedy worked hard to bring voting rights to the African Americans in 1964. “President John F. Kennedy helped change this unfairness by developing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” (John F Kennedy, Nd) In 1964, Congress finally passed the civil rights act which makes it illegal for anyone to discriminate anyone based on their race, religion, gender. Because of the voting rights in 1965, 8000 African Americans were then registered. The segregation in educational fields, schools and universities, was very hard. It was indeed a battle for African Americans to be in one class with fellow white classmates. However, all of that was completely over with the brown vs. education case and other cases that took place. The civil rights act had impacted the African American world as well as the United States in great ways. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four 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. I have a dream today." (Martin Luther king Jr's speech, 1963) Discrimination always caused restrictions for African Americans to develop their skills or even be a part of the skilled and advanced professional working places or even receive a higher education. Martin Luther king recited his dreams among many people, and every race tuned in to listen. Years later, in today's world- African Americans of all ages and gender have become such a big part of the society in the United States and brought more than good things to our community. “Let freedom ring!”
What is a Civil right? Civil rights are a demand for certain types of people to earn their rights which was taken away from them by certain individuals or groups. …show more content…
There are many types of civil rights movements that involve a person to have the right to say what they want whether verbally or written, (i.e. press), their chances to vote and the right to be in public places as they please.
The African American Civil rights movement started around 1955 and it ended around 1968. The goal of this movement was to exile the discrimination that was taken place in the United States. This discrimination affected many African Americans lives- and by fighting for civil rights, they were trying to ensure a new life that would grant them the rights to vote in the states in the south. The black movement granted African Americans the dignity they have been fighting for, places in politics, a say in economics and most importantly independence from white autocracy.
The biggest civil right act was resulted by the accomplishments of the 13th and 14th amendment. The 13th amendment destroyed slavery that was present in the United States. As stated by President Lincoln in 1863, “all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” (Our documents, Abolition of slavery, 1865)
The Swann Vs Charlotte – Mecklenburg board of education was a major case in the United States that affected many students and the majority of the African American community. This case has been taken seriously by the Supreme Court because of integration of busing in public schools. It was held in the state of North Carolina and even though it was an up to date state compared to many other southern states, its battle with the idea of integration wasn’t as strong as other states surrounding them. The segregation has ended in the community. However, even though this is the case and segregation was removed from the system, many African Americans still attended all black schools. The Swann case was brought to court in regards of a little boy his name was James Swann, he was of ten years old among other children and families as well. Little James swann’s father was a theology professor as well, so he was a well educated man in the society. In the year 1965 the Judge ruled in the favor of the board of education because he claimed that there was no compulsion in the constitution that forced them to increase racial mixing. However, after a while the case was then filed again and handled by a different judge and this was his very first important case to deal with in the federal bench. Even though his true feelings were against racial integration in busses, he decided to set aside his feelings in the matter and to follow the constitutional requirements which were to avoid segregation. People often question what the Jim Crow system was and what it represented. The Jim Crow system was a racial social class which functioned mostly in southern states. It started around 1877 and continued until the 1960’s. Those who followed the Jim Crow system basically looked upon it as merely a way of living. African Americans basically were considered second class citizens of these states. Sadly, Priests and ministers also gave a hand in the segregation of whites and blacks. They explained that white people were the ones who were chosen by God while African Americans were born and cursed to become slaves. Politicians who were with segregation mostly gave speeches on the dangers their society would face is integration took place and the harms of it. Newspapers often referred to African Americans by awful and hurtful names- and pushed the hatred for blacks deeper and deeper into people’s hearts. Even children games belittled African Americans. The Jim Crow system had certain guidelines and laws that must be followed by individuals living in the state. Whites in all cases and matters were much more important and stronger than any black man or woman. If black were treated with respect and kindness, then it would cause a social mixing between two races and that could cause destruction to the United States. Black men were not allowed to shake hands with any white man as this would mean that they were both on the same social class. They were not allowed to eat together – if however this were to happen, then white people were to be offered first before any black and they could not see close together. A black man was not allowed to show any sort of intimacy to his wife in public as this could be considered offensive to whites. Whites could never be accused of lying nor could a black person suggest or assume that a white family is from a lower class, even if they were. The rules go on and on and with each little law, come offense to an African American individual. “Trains and buses were also segregated and in many states marriage between whites and African American people.” (Jim Crow laws, N.D)
Often if an African American person were to violate these laws and use public transportation among the whites they were considered to have gone against the law and become arrested and usually fined.
However, in the year 1956 the famous Martin Luther king alongside Rosa parks designed a Montgomery bus boycott event that was followed by many or almost all African Americans who were seeking freedom from such inequality in their state. A man named James Weldon created the well known phrase “The red summer”. He was a man who seriously had passion for fighting off segregation and racial discrimination. He was a man who also protested against the violence in the summer of 1919. The red summer was named because of the riots that were taking place in more than three cities in America. Many white people attacked the African Americans and in many cases, the retaliation was fought back by the often abused African Americans. "The riots had economically significant negative effects on blacks' income and employment. Further, those effects may have been larger in the long run - from 1960 to 1980 - than in the short run - from 1960 to 1970." (How the 1960’s Riots hurt African Americans, …show more content…
2011)
With the constant fighting, rioting and people trying to undermine African Americans, a few individuals stepped up and fought for their liberation. Among one of those people was a brave woman named Rosa parks. She was born in Alabama in the year of 1913. Her mother was a school teacher and she constantly taught her daughter, Rosa parks to always fight for civil rights. Rosa and her husband were both a part of the NAACP which is the National Association for the advancement of colored people. She started becoming good friends with others who were also activists as she was thus working together in many organizations. Some students that established peace groups wanted to follow the Gandhi peaceful way of life and methods that he used to bring peace between Britain and Indians. They believed that if they can use the same method which black people would finally receive the civil rights they needed to survive and live peacefully amongst the whites. In December 1955, Rosa parks was going home after her work and sat in the same bus she usually rides in on a day to day basis. The bus that day had become full and the bus driver had asked her to give up her seat to a white man- even though she was sitting in the black section which was in the back bus. Even though she was asked to do such thing on many occasions, this time her refusal had her locked up and fined. Because of this, she chose to become a test case with the NAACP regardless of her knowledge that it would cause her problems and become persecuted. During this time, Martin Luther king Jr then decided to help arrange protests to remove bus segregations. Working together, black people then decided to set hand in hand and completely boycott busses until all passengers then were treated equal in buses. Because of this, Martin Luther king was arrested and his home was bombed. But this was not Martin Luther king’s fate only; rather it was also experienced by many others who took part in the protests and organization such as a man named Edgar Nixon. However, with all this pain and suffering, the protests continued- stronger than before.
Edgar Nixon was a man who was a well known American civil rights activist. He was a leader and an organizer and his role was very crucial in the Montgomery bus boycott act. He was born in 1899. And through his life he only received a year of education however this did not stop him from having voting campaigns and civil rights for black citizens. In 1940, he planned an event of 750 African American men to march to court and try to vote.
Martin Luther king Jr was born in January 1929.
His father was a Baptist and his mother was a school teacher. He was a very smart boy even at such a young age, even after he was expelled from school at five years old because of him being too young to be in first grade- it had not stopped him to receiving a college degree – he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in SA. Martin Luther king Jr stood for what he believed in and fought for it no matter the consequences. He led marches that voiced his voice as well as others to have a right to vote. “He led the black boycott (1955-56) of segregated city bus lines and in 1956 gained a major victory and prestige as a civil-rights leader when Montgomery buses began to operate on a desegregated basis.” (Martin Luther king Jr biography, 2007) During the bus boycott – the thousands of black people instead of taking buses started walking or created black taxis that would only be for African American people, it was a small car owning system. Because of this, revenue was lost greatly and the Supreme Court then brought integration on buses bringing an end to the
boycott.
The First World War really inspired African Americans to make a strong effort to bring democracy in the United States for all races. African American soldiers who were in the segregated division usually also always protested for the racial injustice. Those who were a part of the NAACP- of both races, fought against discrimination and the ongoing segregation that still existed despite the movements that was taken place all over. African Americans tried to help protect any black soldiers that were in the military from receiving ill treatments while being in the army. Many young African Americans were so happy and excited to serve for their country and fight- however, only a small group was part of the combat while the rest was merely supporting. The French did appreciate the presence of the African American troops that were present as they also enjoyed listening to their music. The soldiers that were present often did serve but in segregated divisions. There were African Americans who also helped fight with the French against the Germans thus rewarding them with an award. Because of the racial discrimination protests that were often taking place, this helped the African Americans to receive officer trainings. Many were then captains and some became lieutenants. Unfortunately, blacks were still fighting the chance to vote. The new law that was proposed was that the only way a man can vote is if his grandfather voted. This was called the grandfather clause. “One form of voting restriction aimed specifically at African Americans was the Grandfather clause that allowed men to register to vote only if they could have voted in 1867 (before African Americans were allowed to vote in the South) or descended from an 1867 voter.”(History matters, 2006) This law was successfully terminated due to the fact that it was against the fifth amendment of the constitution.
The Civil rights act has been fought for, for many years – the Selma march was led by the well known Martin Luther King Jr and President John F Kennedy worked hard to bring voting rights to the African Americans in 1964. “President John F. Kennedy helped change this unfairness by developing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” (John F Kennedy, Nd) In 1964, Congress finally passed the civil rights act which makes it illegal for anyone to discriminate anyone based on their race, religion, gender. Because of the voting rights in 1965, 8000 African Americans were then registered. The segregation in educational fields, schools and universities, was very hard. It was indeed a battle for African Americans to be in one class with fellow white classmates. However, all of that was completely over with the brown vs. education case and other cases that took place. The civil rights act had impacted the African American world as well as the United States in great ways. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four 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. I have a dream today." (Martin Luther king Jr's speech, 1963) Discrimination always caused restrictions for African Americans to develop their skills or even be a part of the skilled and advanced professional working places or even receive a higher education. Martin Luther king recited his dreams among many people, and every race tuned in to listen. Years later, in today's world- African Americans of all ages and gender have become such a big part of the society in the United States and brought more than good things to our community. “Let freedom ring!”