How Did Lyndon Johnson Influence The Civil Rights Movement

Junior Paper
Civil rights have been a controversial topic throughout the course of history. Despite previous efforts, the most significant wave of civil reforms did not occur until the early 1960’s, during the political height of the 36th president Lyndon Johnson. Johnson, as he worked his way up the political ladder, gained a clear understanding of American policies. After the assassination of his predecessor Kennedy, Johnson stepped forward as the nation’s new leader. The time surrounding Johnson was filled with chaos. As more and more Americans opened their eyes to the prevalent discrimination within their seemingly “equal” nation, civil right leaders began their crusade. While numerous
minorities were affected by racisms, the main focus was shifted onto African Americans. Johnson’s actions throughout his life time respectively earned him the title of “Civil Rights President”. In addition to promoting reforms that ensured equal education, suffrage and facilities; Lyndon Johnson utilized his beliefs to inspire national pride to use in reversing the discriminatory mindset imprinted upon society.
Johnson supported reforms that helped initiate the desegregation of schools, significantly contributing to the integration of African Americans into the nation’s restrictive economy through quality education. Segregated blacks schools often lacked sufficient funds and support necessary to give students a quality education. In the Supreme Court case Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka, it was decided that segregated schooling was unconstitutional, providing the foundation for reform. During the intense racial politics of 1956, all but three southern state senators signed the “Southern Manifesto” to defy the court’s ruling of educational desegregation; Texas State Senator Johnson was among the three refusals (Kotz 44-45). As a southerner himself, Johnson’s strong values enabled him to sever all ties with his cultural upbringing. He distinguished himself from the rest of the Texan senators, which in turn led to a loss of southern support. Nevertheless, as a compelling force in the civil rights movement, he continually put the equality of citizens above his political standing. As Johnson moved up the political ranks, his beliefs had more influence on society. In his 1965 address to Congress nickname “We Shall Overcome”, Johnson appealed to the audience in hope of passing legislation granting equal opportunities to all citizens, regardless of skin, money, or occupation. "This great, rich, restless country can offer opportunity and education and hope to all, all black and white, all North and South, sharecropper and city dweller" (Johnson, "We Shall Overcome"). In a nation where education determined success, Johnson believed that having avenues to enhanced education would give African Americans access to the same scenarios. Despite the general assumption that racism was only prominent in the South, President Johnson pushed federal reforms in all areas of the nation, acknowledging Northern prejudice. This speech was used to widen the acceptance of integrated education, paralleling his dedication to providing an economy based off of skill rather than race. In June of 1963, vice president Lyndon Johnson addressed the nation in his speech concerning educational issues. "If we deny a man access to the education to which he is entitled by capacity, we also deny him access to his rightful place in our economy" (Johnson, "The Century of the Educated Man"). By granting education to every race, all citizens would essentially have access to the same freedoms, causing the white and black communities to assimilate into the same economy. Johnson enforced the idea that every man is entitled, reminding the nation that education is not a privilege, but rather a human right ensured to all. Both speeches were tactics used not only in proving his personal investment, but acting as an emotion appeal. Johnson used his respected governmental positions to arouse the public’s full participation in ensuring equal education, and in turn an equal economy Johnson increased the participation of non-white voters by utilizing his innovative attitude and passing reforms that helped ensure universal suffrage. Although African Americans legally possessed the right to vote, a large amount of the nation disobeyed the law. In his famous 1965 speech given to Congress, Johnson shared his personal beliefs by stating, "Allow men and women to register and vote whatever the color of their skin. Extend the rights of citizenship to every citizen of this land" (Johnson, “We Shall Overcome"). Johnson took a novel approach, blatantly stating the need for reforms. By not sugar-coating the reality of the problem, Johnson’s direct appeal called upon society to take action in finding a resolution. As a respected leader of the nation, Johnson voiced his dissatisfaction to garner support for change. By being the role model of America, Johnson’s beliefs reached the lives of millions of Americans. Sharing his beliefs was only the first step towards universal suffrage. In 1965, Johnson signed and enforced the Voting Rights Act, a law that drastically diversified the voting polls. The Voting Rights Act gave the 15th amendment more credibility and obligated the federal government to oversee elections in areas known for its high racial intolerance (Cardin). Although the 15th amendment granted voting rights to minorities, areas subject to racism still used tactics to suppress non-whites. By holding the federal government accountable for maintaining fairness, Johnson ensured all actions were taken accordingly. By purposely increasing government presence in regions with strong racist beliefs, Johnson targeted areas that needed help the most. However this reform did not end there. The VRA outlawed any type of testing or taxes enforced upon certain voters (Lewis). Although African Americans were legally allowed to vote, they were often discouraged when faced with illegal regulations based off money or education. By eliminating all unfair testing Johnson encouraged African Americans to freely participate in national decisions, leading elected officials to rely on both the white and black votes. This put both races on the same level in terms of voting importance. Johnson reversed the previously accepted Jim Crow laws through reform which restored the government’s authoritative power in the establishment of equal public facilities.
In 1966, after numerous months spent petitioning, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. This bill prohibited any form of discrimination of services at any venue providing public accommodations (Chambers). He assured African Americans that the government would take action in any situation concerning racism, helping restore faith between the people and their government. By passing this law, Johnson took a stern stance against anyone who refused to offer others the same treatment they would give themselves. Through legal requirement, companies could no longer give benefits to certain individuals due to race. Johnson’s intolerance for discrimination required federal action to be taken. The act gave the attorney general the right to sue states that violated voting rights and to deal with discrimination of agencies, public and private, that received federal funds (Wynn 169-170). The act forced the public to obey civil right laws, whether or not the individual agreed. Johnson helped broadened the span of federal authority, allowing the black community to participate in society with reassurance of protection. He shattered the norm “separate but equal”, helping establish a truly free nation. The Civil Rights Act assigned the newly created Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the job of investigating discrimination disputes (Chambers). In order to address the public’s cry for help, Johnson used this part of the Act to guarantee that all matters of racial injustice were looked into by authorities. Johnson showed equality to both the African American and white community because the Commission gave a fair investigation to both sides. Through this act Johnson restored the government’s role in maintaining civil rights, meanwhile providing equal services to all
citizens. Johnson strengthened the civil rights movement by using his beliefs to stimulate a reformative drive fueled by American pride. By branding discrimination as unconstitutional, Johnson his speeches motivated the nation to ensure the effectiveness of reforms. On November 27, 1963 Lyndon Johnson gave his inaugural address to Congress, following the assassination of former president Kennedy. "We will serve all the Nation, not one section or one sector, or one group, but all Americans. These are the United States- a united people with a united purpose" (Johnson, "President Johnson's Legislative Proposals" 136). Distraught over the death of a beloved president, citizens were motivated to honor the work of Kennedy. Johnson used the emotional vulnerability mixed with American pride to help push the progression of the civil rights, a movement starting during Kennedy’s presidency. In addition, this passage demonstrates Johnson’s determination to unite the United States, regardless of skin color. Violent protests reached an all time high during the 1960’s. Johnson, in his 1965 speech concerning the Watt Riots, urged the nation to find peace and acceptance in times of turmoil through stating, "For we shall never achieve a free and prosperous and hopeful society until we have suppressed the fires of hate and we have turned aside from violence . . . "(Johnson, "On the 1965 Watt Riots"). The American pride stems from the idea of a democracy guided by equality and freedom. Johnson used this pride to stir the nation, warning Americans that their ideal society will remain a fantasy if hate and discrimination persists. Through this concept, he shattered the illusion of the perfect democracy with the reality of inequality. This tactic helped Johnson push the nation onto a path of civil restoration. Johnson, in his famous 1965 address to Congress, called upon the basic foundation of American policy to persuade the nation to implement reforms. “Our fathers believed that if this noble view of the rights of man was to flourish it must be rooted in democracy. This most basic right of all was the right to choose your own leaders" (Johnson, "We Shall Overcome"). By using the foundation of America as a platform, he proved that society was subject to hypocrisy; Americans were strongly concerned with sustaining the basic human rights granted in the Constitution, yet withhold such rights from those of different colors. Johnson used the importance of free democracy to encourage society to extend the democratic right to all citizens. Johnson applied the nation’s pride to fuel the motivation for universal suffrage which, as previously state, was one of the many reforms he impacted. Johnson strengthened the civil rights movement through vocalizing his dedication to breaking the historical chains of de facto segregation in hope of providing inspiration. Johnson, again in his famous 1965 speech concerning riots and legislation, affirmed “As a man whose roots go deeply into Southern soil. . . I know how difficult it is to reshape the attitudes and the structure of our society . . . more than a hundred years, since the Negro was freed" (Johnson, "We Shall Overcome" 151). Johnson’s dedication to civil rights was displayed in his willingness to give up his roots, but also in accepting the challenge of reshaping a divided society into a united front. Johnson was determined to restructure the outlook of America, regardless of the cost. In June 1964, Johnson presented his Howard University Address to expand further in defeating prejudice. "These differences are not racial differences. They are solely and simply the consequence of ancient brutality, past injustice, and present prejudice" (Johnson, "Commencement Address"). Johnson was not only concerned with destroying racial discrimination, but aimed to change history itself. As stated, racist differences stemmed from the trials faced in the past rather than different race. Johnson believed America need to rewrite the past so diverse minorities would no longer be subject to the bitter cynicism. In doing so, Johnson sought to create a brighter future where diversity would flourish. In 1963, in his speech at Wayne State University in Detroit, Lyndon Johnson again pointed out the hypocrisy of America. “To strike the chains of a slave is noble. To leave him the captive of the color of his skin is hypocrisy" (qtd. in Woods). Although Americans strived to manufacture reforms, the majority refused to personally accept the idea of equality. However Johnson held the belief that reforms were pointless if the nation still refused to personally accept them. To fix this, Johnson shared his beliefs in hope the nation would come to understand the reasons behind reforms. In 1972, during one of his last speeches to the public, Johnson addressed the problems America still needed to overcome. "While the races may stand side by side, whites stand on history's mountain and blacks stand in history's hollow. We must overcome history before we overcome unequal opportunity" (Johnson, "Civil Rights Symposium"). While the law did grant equal rights, Americans still harbored a racist mentality that outshined all the legal achievements. Johnson directly called upon the nation to nullify the prejudice of the past, essentially creating a level ground for all races to stand. Every speech showed the emotional depth he invested in shaping his ideal society based upon acceptance and equality.
Johnson strived to enforce reforms ensuring equal education, voting and facilities, meanwhile using his beliefs to call upon the American pride to arouse a nation’s interest in ending racism as a whole. Johnson managed to overcome what seemed to be an irrevocable problem within America, undeniably earning title Civil Rights President. However the civil rights struggle is still far from over. By following in the footsteps of Lyndon Johnson, future leaders have hope in some day ending the struggle.