Though legislatively America had changed practically the change was slow and ongoing. After more than 200 years of racial abuse prejudice and humiliation the law and society were only beginning to realize the inconsistency of racialism. The civil rights movement pursued a very simple yet profound concept that is universal the unalienable rights of the individual. Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal exemplified this very notion for all Americans Black and White.
The civil rights act of 1964 was meant to create a space for African Americans to pursue the American Ideal. (Adams 2002) This act would have not been possible if individuals such as Mrs. Parks didn’t sit at the front of the bus or African Americans weren’t able to attend schools with White America. Challenging the segregation was a step toward equality in America by the civil rights movement. Segregation through not only the court cases but also through basic fact had proved it was a form of inequality. (Adams 2002)
Separate didn’t always mean equal and therefore the demolition of this institutional bias opened the door for people of all races to compete fairly in America. The civil rights movement is credited with the most important thing of all the pursuit of individual freedom within the confines of the constitution. This is because without it African Americans couldn’t claim any of the rights they held so dear. It opened the door for African Americans to be able to enter any field or institution or position without being discriminated against. For the simple fact it was their right to do so without prejudice.
Citation
Adams Ian, “Political Ideology Today,” Manchester University Press. 2002.Print.
