Preview

Why Are Civil Rights Necessary?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
753 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
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

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Although, there are many methods of non-violence, people choose to be violent in this world. My personal experience with violence is a personal conflict that I had seen when I was in Nepal (civil war) I used saw six to ten deaths every day, neighbors used carried dead bodies by my doorway. I live with these scary minutes in my mind. Gandhi said “Nonviolence cannot act…

    • 933 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Both Nelson Mandela and Cesar Chavez stood up for what is right. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the Pro-Apartheid Government. After Nelson Mandela left prison, he worked to achieve Human Rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was born in…

    • 1456 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    dilemma. There has been much debate as to which path is more effective, violence or…

    • 2937 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Civil rights are the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation for public places. It also banned employment discrimination of race, color, religion and sex. Congress expanded the act and also passed additional legislation that aimed at bringing equality to African Americans. Rosa Parks helped form and support civil rights by deciding to stand up for her rights, and refusing to move to the back of the bus.…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    b) Non-violence should only be used when others show non-violence, if violence is done to one than they must answer with violence and not be stepped on. However, non-violence is ineffective due to the fact that it does not show any forceful action toward a cause Malcolm believes that one has to “die for what you believe in”.…

    • 410 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Non-violence: A Study Guide" Access to Insight, June 7, 2009, Accessed 24 August 2009 Last modified: unknown…

    • 1688 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The term civil rights refers to the non-political and personal liberties of a citizen. Civil rights are there to protect individual freedoms from the government, an organization or a personal individual. Civil rights insures people with physical virtue, life and safety. It gives protection from discrimination on grounds such as race, gender and color. Throughout the years in America’s history many groups have gone through discrimination.…

    • 543 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Malcolm X: Without violence there will be no change. If nonviolence worked I would go for it, but it…

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Civil rights can be defined as a protected right which restricts unfair treatment of individuals, based on race, gender, or any other trait, by either the government or other individuals. The idea on equality was first introduced into the constitution with the fourteenth amendment. From there, many groups have tried to expand the definition of civil rights in order to conform to the concept of equality for all. During the post-civil war era, many confederate states created “black codes” which restricted the rights of newly freed slaves. This process worked because the fourteenth amendment declared equality to all citizens, but free slaves were not technically considered citizens. This outraged congress and the civil rights act of 1866 was passed. The act guaranteed citizenship to anyone born in America regardless of race, gender, or any other trait. This act in itself was a huge step forward for African-Americans in the fight for civil rights. Further down the line the civil rights movement had progressed in various groups. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 opened new doors for many different groups including women and African-Americans. This bill allowed voting rights, banned segregation in public places, and banned forms discrimination (regarding education and employment) for all citizens. This is outlined as a major point of progression for both women and African-Americans.…

    • 218 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The civil rights movement was the time in America in which African Americans and other minorities fought for equal rights. During this movement, many people dedicated their lives to end segregation and discrimination in order for America to be like it is today. Through mostly non-violent protests and courageous leaders, schools, public places, and public transportation soon became integrated. This movement occurred to ensure African American rights. It started in the 1800s but plummeted during the 1950s and 1960s. The civil rights movement was one of the largest movements in the 20th century.…

    • 691 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Civil liberties and civil rights are fundamental for everyday living. In today’s society both of these terms have different prospective; civil rights are considered to be natural rights. In other words, civil rights means that people have the right to be treated the same regardless of their race, gender, or religion. Even thought civil rights are guaranteed by law, this prospective took many years to be achieved. For example, after the Civil War African and Americans were still treated badly; they got the worst jobs and were paid poorly. On the other hand, civil liberties are “Rights in freedom that protect an individual from the government” (Welch 404). Most civil liberties are found in the bill of rights; which are the first ten amendments of the constitution.…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Civil Rights

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages

    1. Civil Rights are the government-protected rights of individuals against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by governments or individuals. The concept of equality got introduced into the constitution. The 14th Amendment, one of three Civil war Amendments ratified from 1865 to 1870, introduced the notion of equality into the constitution by specifying that a state could not deny “any person within jurisdiction equal protection of the laws.” It is evident in the recent Walmart vs. Duke case, where women were not allowed to attend management meetings or further their career at Walmart. It is important because today, this amendment protects a variety of groups against discrimination.…

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    All in all, we as a people should know that violence is never the answer to certain things, but in some cases in history, violence has been used to change things for the better. Civil disobedience is always the best but often times not practical choice because of lack of people or organizations. For example in the 60s Dr. Martin Luther King has organized countless anti-violent, peaceful protests around the…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A big topic discussed in society today and was talked about in history is Civil Rights. Civil rights are the rights of citizens for political and social freedom and equality (Dictionary.com). Before the sixty’s one of the most well known civil right issues was for white and African American people to be treated equal. Back before the sixty’s African Americans were treated poorly compared to the way whites were treated. For example African Americans couldn’t use white’s bathrooms.…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    At the same time when African-Americans were stripped of their rights, white Democrats impose racial segregation by law. Violence against blacks people increased. For example, racially mixed places, non-whites (black) had to wait until all white customers were handled. But then, African-American against it all in various ways through new organizations and organizing workers to end this discrimination. Through nonviolent protests, the civil rights movements 1960s split the pattern of public facilities separated by "races" in the South United States.…

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays