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Why Are Civil Rights Necessary?

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Why Are Civil Rights Necessary?
Civil rights are rights that are made to protect individuals from unfair treatment such as unlawful discrimination. These rights go under the laws of the government, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Civil rights are protected by the U.S. Constitution, and the federal laws cited by the Congress. Civil rights guarantees that every individual should be granted equal social opportunities and equal protection regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and other personal characteristics. The word “civil rights” originates from the Latin word "ius civis” which translated means “rights of a citizen”. There have been different civil rights movements throughout history, the most famous being the African-American …show more content…
Some of them worked, and some did not. The most ardent supporter of non-violence was Mahatma Gandhi, he led many movements and managed to change many things without violence. Martin Luther King Jr also led movements without violence and succeeded. This means that non-violent acts are not useless or ineffective, but they are more difficult. Violence is quite effective in its own way and it has been useful in many cases, it works but is it necessary? Is it necessary to frighten, kill, shoot, and destroy to make a change or to bring peace? There are other options we are just too lazy and scared because it takes more work. Look at the case with Syria there have been demonstrations against the Baath regime from Bashar al-Assad since March 2011. The civil war has lasted for about 7 years and countless people have died, fled the country and many are injured for life. All of this happened because both sides decided to make change by using violence and this is the result. I’m not saying that violence is not a solution, but it should not be plan A, it should be plan B or C. Never use violence unless it’s utterly necessary.What was …show more content…
In 1948 the National party gained power in South Africa and resulted in the government becoming all-white. They immediately began enforcing policies of racial segregation. They banned marriage between whites and non-whites, races would have to use separate bathrooms. It was also a separation between races in schools, residential areas, shops, hospitals, bus stops, and they would have to use separate exits and entrances way at places. Women had it very difficult, not only did they experience racial discrimination but gender discrimination as well. This made jobs hard to find, and the earnings particularly low. This all lasted for 46 years (1948-1994). Nelson Mandela was the protagonist of the freedom from Apartheid in South Africa. Two years after his college graduation he joined the African National Congress. his resistance to Apartheid was non-violent at first but after seeing the ruthlessness of the white government, and their oppression of protesters made him change his choice. Nelson Mandela was sent to jail in 1963 and was sentenced to a lifetime in prison, but he was released 27 years later and was elected president in

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