Question 1(3)
History Success and Limitations of the Civil Rights Movement
Introduction
Civil rights movement consisted of endless grass root activism and lobbying so that the African Americans could be given the same basic rights as those of the American natives in the constitution. In addition, it was a multidimensional campaign geared towards ending the legalized segregation and the numerous aspects of inequalities and discrimination that the African Americans faced. This movement was characterized by several courtroom wars, protests and demonstration. Over the years, the movement achieved its objectives despite the various setbacks that was faced by those fighting for the movement. This movement is believed to have sprung up after the Brown’s case of 1954. Even though, African Americans are known to have always fought for their rights, for many, the movement started in the early 1950's when the Africans were colonized and brought to chains. In this essay, we are focusing on the on the history, success and the limitations of the Civil Rights Movement.
History of the Civil Rights Movement
According to Field (2015), several decades ago, the African American race was basically a peasantry group of people that stood oppressed by the then known as de jure Segregation, a system of agriculture that advocated for sharecropping and blockage from well-paying blue and white collar jobs. They were also denied their deserved civil and legal rights. They hence had limited, if not none political rights, standard quality education, and limited platforms on which to express their views and adversities. Between the year 1865 and the year 1870, the U.S congress amended some sections of the constitution in a bid to stop slavery, award the African Americans legal citizenship and to give them the voting rights in the American politics.
The oppression of the black race was mostly rampant in the southern states under the Jim Crow Customs. This saw the passing of laws between the 1890s and 1920s that led to segregation of public utilities such as schools, trains, cemeteries, restaurants, public revenues, beaches and hospitals. The black people were also intimidated, and this made them unable to enjoy their other rights such as the rights of participation in the voting process. However, these injustices became under attack by black activists accompanied by few white people. The fight was mainly through public speaking, the press and organizational approach. The blacks were also at some point advised to move always from the south where racial discrimination was at its peak and migrate northwards. In the year 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP) was formed as a result of a joint effort of several activists such as Wells. The segregation and discrimination of the black people although was present in the west and the north, it was not to a greater extent as it was in the south. As the blacks moved to industrial areas at the height and after the First World War. Whites in those areas used coercion so that the blacks could not compete for work opportunities with them. They were then only hired as unskilled laborers and in some places like Chicago had signs to limiting the blacks.
During the Second World War, the fight for equal rights and discrimination of the black race increased. Several blacks switched to the Democratic Party which advocated for freeing slaves and consequently elected Delano to support his programs which would address the discrimination issues. The Second World War which broke out in 1939 called for more labor given that the industry had become stimulated. Blacks moved to such industries, however, they as they sought for employment they vehemently confronted decimation in terms of job opportunities and remuneration. In the year 1941, Delano Roosevelt signed the executive order 8802 which outlawed prejudicial treatment of the various workers in the defense and federal government on the basis of the skin color. More than one million blacks were able to serve in the military during the Second World War during which hundreds of thousands continued to join the NAACP.
After the end of the war, the civil right movement became stronger due to various factors. President Truman, in July 1948, appended the Executive order number 9980, which this ensured that racial discrimination in the civil service was face out. The economic boom which occurred after the war saw it that many works opportunities became available for the African Americans. The media platform aired civil rights activism and television broadcast started to provide content that could be enjoyed by both the whites and the black. Global events during the war also made the Americans reconsider their view of racial discrimination. However, the opposers of civil rights employed various tactics to discourage integrationists. In the 1950s, there was the bus boycott and the ruling in the Brown case against the Board of Education of Topeka which pointed out the unconstitutional nature of racial discrimination and in 1955, public schools were ordered to desegregate by the Supreme Court ruling. Clearly, these and among others marked the success of the civil rights movement.
Success of the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil right movement was successful due to various reasons and it achieved its intended objectives amidst the endless challenges. The first contributor to success was of the movement was the gradual continuous industrialization as well as urbanization of the whole American society. This led to the weakening of the then known Jim Crow System, which saw into it that the blacks were segregated and controlled. This was mainly in the south. With the industrialization and urbanizations, blacks were able to move north from south and get better conditions and opportunities. The other factor that led to the success of the movement was the post-world war 2 economic boom. It reduced the inter-race competition between the whites and blacks in the north and other areas. A number of economic resources continued to increase hence different groups were able to get a fair share. This, therefore, gave an ample and quiet time for activists to continue their fight for equality without many disruptions.
Some of the post-war economic wealth flowed into black communities hence increasing their political and economic resources. A new network of black-owned and controlled and, independent organizations grew in capacity and numbers. This availed more resources for activist groups such as the NAACP and, therefore, they were able to fight strongly the war against discrimination and segregation. The other success factor was that the movement employed assimilation in that they embraced the core American values of freedom, liberty, equality and fairness. This did not seem much of a threat to the white race, which by default already had such rights. Forming alliances with other grew like Jews, students and white liberals helped mobilized more resources and sympathetic support. Lastly, the widespread broadcasting characterized by repetitive videos showing brutal treatment of blacks when demonstrating for their rights helped reinforce the moral consensus. Indicators success are the end of the Jim Crow Segregation and among others desegregation of public schools.
Limitations
There were several challenges that faced the movement. First was the fact the white people were resistant and could not easily change their views, perceptions and their urge to discriminate on the blacks. The activists, therefore, had to out endless effort in order to achieve their objective. Before the post-world war economic boom, the movement had political and resource deficiency hence they could not effectively conduct their activities effectively. Some of the blacks also did not give support to the movement yet it needed all the support they could get from the people. This is because the black outside the south faced increased poverty, higher unemployment and lower quality educations.
Question 2(1)
New Immigration Law
Since centuries ago many emigrants have undergone great hardship while trying to reach the united states in the quest for better life. The united states have gained several economic benefits due its ability to attract the best talents on a global scale According to Menjívar, Cecilia, and Leisy, immigrants are known to have helped defend the country in several conflicts. However as the nation strives to achieve its economic objectives, there has always been the need for streamlining the immigration systems. On 20th November year 2014 the U.S president Barack Obama announced several critical measures to ensure border security, modernization of the legal immigrations systems for various groups of people such as students, entrepreneurs and among others workers. These measure in the wider context ensures enhanced national security alongside improving the country's economy. As part of the presidential announcement, the president issued a directive informing his administration to continuously look for new ways of improving the country’s immigration system.
There are various benefits that are associated with new immigrations laws. For centuries, emigrants have enhanced the diversity, the economy and culture of the country at large. By ensuring the unification programs and immigrant employment programs through the new immigration laws emigrants will be able to reunite with their kin, develop themselves and grow the economy. Such immigrants are known to strengthen the labor force as well as the consumer. Despite the fact that the country is trying to monitor the population size, emigrants play a crucial role in the country’s economy. They work in various industries ranging from agriculture to construction and most of the high-skilled laborers in the technology and engineering fields are emigrants. In addition, this group of people are not only known to be extraordinary workers and creators but also they possess high entrepreneurial skills. The new law is also ensuring that vast resources are being effectively utilized to secure the borders of the country. This entails measures such as increasing the border patrol officers and increasing the number of investigative officers. The country has also increased surveillance of the borders, especially with Mexico. The American governments have joint collaborations with Mexico to curb the transnational criminal activities across the borders of the two countries. U.S is also working with Canada through a joint task force to ensure cross-border security.
Through the new immigration laws, the country has ensured legal trade and movement of people across the border quickly and efficiently through reduced wait times and enhances security. Several priorities on immigration enforcement have been set to ensure the smooth operation of activities related to immigrations. The suggest removal of individuals which pose a threat to the national security and any person who goes against the immigration laws since the law is currently favorable. More favorable detention facilities have been set up to ensure efficiency and security as they prioritize the safety and health of detainees. Special groups such as victims of crimes such as trafficking are able to get immigration relief on time.
The law reform is also providing a better legal system to employers and among others, immigrants hence there is enhanced responsiveness to the individual who rely on it. Also, through the new immigration law introduced by the president, new resources to prepare applicants for U.S citizenship have been put in place through which they can be publicly engaged in several languages. More immigration judges and the relevant staff through the department of justice to help eliminated the increased caseload associated with immigration issues. The Department of justice has also increased mentoring training programs to avail assistance to immigrants in the various removal court hearings. Various sections of the law also protect the immigrants from unscrupulous parties who might attempt to take advantage of their situation and defraud them. The law has also been made in such a ways that it facilitates helping of the refugees. Refugees are therefore eligible and are covered by the Affordable Care Act.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is therefore, evident that the new immigration law is very beneficial to the United States of America. It is multidimensional and has embraced the aspects of technology; thereby, improving the speed in which immigrant issues can be solved. Immigrants form a crucial part of the American population in terms of the labor pool. Making laws favorable and streamlining the immigration process, therefore, is an essential move that would ensure to a greater extent the economic well-being of the country. Many highly skilled workers come from other countries; hence, without a proper immigration system, the country is likely to lack a productive part of the population. Immigrants are also tax providers; hence, they contribute to the national revenue. When immigrants arrive in the country it is essential that they settle down fats and become stable and this is mainly possible by uniting them with their families or proving programs through which they can easily adapt.
Bibliography
Alba, R. and Nee, V., 2009. Remaking the American mainstream: Assimilation and contemporary immigration. Harvard University Press.
Delahunty, R.J. and Yoo, J.C., 2012. Dream On: The Obama Administration's Non-enforcement of Immigration Laws, the DREAM Act, and the Take Care Clause. Tex. L. Rev., 91, p.781.
Field, R.E., 2015. Civil Rights Movement. Ethnic American Literature: An Encyclopedia for Students: An Encyclopedia for Students, p.147.
Menjívar, Cecilia, and Leisy Abrego. "Legal Violence: Immigration Law and the Lives of Central American Immigrants1." American Journal of Sociology117.5 (2012): 1380-1421.
Ollhoff, J., 2011. Civil Rights Movement. ABDO Publishing Company.
Wadhia, S.S., 2012. Sharing Secrets: Examining Deferred Action and Transparency in Immigration Law. UNHL Rev., 10, p.1.
