Eyes On The Prize

Eyes on the Prize Let’s go back in time 50 years, back to when blacks were not allowed to use the same facilities as whites and were forced to sit in the back of the bus. There was no equal rights, no peace, just racism. Some people spoke out, while others remained silent and watched. These people who had the courage to speak their mind and try and change the way they were treated, changed the world in one way or another. Some of the most well-known activists include Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcom X, and Medgar Evers. They all had their mind set on going against the ways of racism and making a progressive change for the future. One of the most memorable civil rights activists in the 1950s and 1960s is Martin Luther King Jr. He led non-violent protests for the rights of black people and hoped for a society where race would not impact a person’s civil rights. His speeches, such as “I Have a Dream” still inspire others today. In his speech he quotes “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." His main goal was to help convince white Americans to support civil rights in the U.S and put an end to segregation and racial discrimination. While Rosa Parks was not as obvious as Martin Luther King in terms of filling the national mall with onlookers for speeches, her motive was the same; to stand up for what she believes is right and make a difference. She was riding the bus home in the black section seats, and as the white half of the bus became full there were a few white passengers standing. The bus driver told the black passengers in the first row of the black section to move back a row, the three other passengers in Rosa’s row did, but she refused. She was then arrested for her refusal to give up her seat. Parks was able to gain national attention and spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott which lasted over a year and made