Changes In The Civil Rights Movement Of The 1960's

Historically the United States of America has been shaped by many social changes that have occurred throughout its time. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s was one of the most notable social movements which attempted to root out all racial segregation, but most importantly to attain equality for African Americans. African American racial segregation has always been a part of American society, dating back to the Civil War, in which the North was victorious; this also led to the abolishment of slavery in 1865 after congress passed the 13th Amendment, which states, “Neither Slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place
After many years of violence towards African Americans action was needed, which is how the Civil Rights Movement was formed in order to express their voices, but most importantly to make a change in the way African Americans were being treated. While the Civil rights movement was beginning to emerge there were many activist leaders who made their voices heard in many different ways. Many Civil Rights activist believed in a non-violent solution. A few of these famous activist were Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges. There were also African American activist leaders who believed whites should pay with the same violence that they were dealt with. Some of these activist were the Black Panthers and Malcom X, who stated that blacks should be offered the same equality and change, and that if they weren’t given it, they should take it. In more recent times, African Americans are still dealing with these racial segregations which have formed new Civil Right Movements. One emerging movement is the “Black Lives Matter” Movement, who protest through non-violent acts, but also through violent ways as
One of the most famous activist leaders for the Civil Right Movement was Martin Luther King Jr, who preached a nonviolent social change. During the Civil Rights Movement Martin Luther King Jr wrote, gave speeches, and organized nonviolent protest in order to demonstrate racial discrimination, and to request for legislation to protect the rights of African Americans. Though, King promoted a nonviolent resistance, whites didn’t see any difference, which still provoked them to mistreat African Americans. One great example of these actions were during the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama March/Movement. King and other activist leaders marched peacefully through Birmingham, Alabama, which was considered at the time one of the most “racial segregated” cities in the nation. While Civil Rights leaders and protestors walked in a peaceful protest, they were not welcomed in a peaceful manner; High School students and protestors were hit with high-pressure water, injured by police dogs, and were repeatedly punched, and kicked by police. The Birmingham march was considered unsuccessful, which caused the arrest of Martin Luther King Jr. While incarcerated Martin Luther King Jr wrote his famous letter entitled, "Letter from Birmingham City Jail,” which was written on April 16, 1963, and defends the approach of nonviolence