The Civil Rights Of 1953

The Civil Rights of 1953-964 was a social movement by African Americans to end segregation and discrimination in the United States. This social reform and movement primarily took place in the South because it was the most segregated place in the North America. The civil rights movements is such a critical time period in African-American history which leads to many significant figures and events. For example important figures such as: Ella Baker, James Farmer, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Malcolm X, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Andrew Young Ella Baker- Secretary of the NAACP in 1940s (she organized and appointed many civil rights movements and leaders) She is considered one of the most outspoken and influential women of the Civil Rights Era (mentor to Rosa Parks as well)
James Farmer- Co-Founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), he was honorary vice chairman in the Democratic Socialists of America
Martin Luther King Jr. - Leader of many boycotts and peace marches Montgomery Bus Boycotts 1955, founder of Southern Christian Leadership Conference, winner of Nobel Peace Prize through non-violence movements, only African American with his own official day
John Lewis – lead numerous marches for equality (particularly Selma to Montgomery), founded Mississippi Freedom Schools, Original Freedom Rider
Malcolm X – Muslim, founder of Muslim Mosque Inc. (avocation group for Black Muslim) also founded Organization of Afro-American Unity (advocates for Pan-Africanism-unify and uplift African people), Ballot or the Bullet Speech which advocated for Black to vote but if government did not allow it they would fight
Dwight D. Eisenhower – President, signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957 (first reconstruction the federal government did in protecting civil rights)
Andrew Young- Politician, Diplomat, Activist, Pastor, Mayor of Atlanta, member of Southern Christian Leadership, United States Ambassador for United Nations under President Carter
Even though, there so many residual effects that all African Americans still benefit from today. But there were many key radical events that has led to the unsegregated freedom that Blacks are able to experience. For Example: Brown vs Board Education (1954), Rosa Parks and Montgomery Boycotts, Sit-Ins (1958-1960), Freedom Rides (1961), Voter Registration, Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965)
Brown vs Board Education – A group of five African American students in Virginia protest segregated schools. They speak about the overcrowding and failing facilities in black schools compared to white schools. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled on the decision that it was unconstitutional to educate black and white kids separately.
Rosa Parks and Montgomery – Many people may say she is the Mother of The Civil Rights Movement, when she refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus to a white passenger. Her actions lead too many boycotts of buses throughout Southern states especially Alabama. In November 1956 federal courts desegregated buses and boycotts ended.
Sit Ins- A sit-in is a non-violent tactic used by many reformists, it is when protestors will block a entrance to a building or just by being in the way. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement you are able to see numerous times where sit-ins prove a effective tactic. Such as lunch counter sit-ins in Wichita, Kansas to desegregate stores.
Freedom Rides – A freedom ride is a journey taken by activist to desegregate high-ways in Southern States. They were usually beaten or attacked by Ku-Klux Klan members for entering their state.
Voter Registration- the Voter Registration was a group of blacks in Alabama that tried to register to vote. They were often punished for trying to cast their vote by having dogs sent on them, beaten, thrown in jail, and even burned
Civil Rights Act – The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was proposed by president JFK and it officially bans segregation based on a person’s race, color, sex, or national origin.
Voting Rights Act – The Voting Rights Act of 1965 grants African Americans the right to vote.