The civil rights movement was a political undertaking that occurred worldwide in pursuit for equality. This particular movement occurred between the year’s nineteen fifty and nineteen eighty (Gloria 63). During this period, civilians engaged in campaigns that were aimed at attaining change. The campaigns were mostly free of violence though in some circumstances viciousness was accompanied or some kind of civil strife together with armed revolt. These movements lasted for quite a long time though civilians did not attain their aims. Nevertheless, considerable improvements were made in the lawful rights of formerly oppressed societies. In the United States, civil right movements entailed structured efforts to eliminate both public and private acts of discrimination against minority groups such as African Americans and Mexican Americans. These movements targeted mainly the southern states in America (Terence & Riches 74). In the late nineteenth century between the years eighteen sixty three and seventy seven, an earlier revolt had occurred though the issues echoed were not maximally solved (Gloria 64). This was known as the construction era.
The civil rights movement therefore was trying to resolves problems that had been left pending in the construction regime. The civil right movement period was then referred to as the reconstruction period. After the construction era, the legal system looked down upon the rights of civilians particularly African Americans who resided in the southern states. The minority groups at this time faced problems such as racism in the American supreme courts, mass violence and voter overpowering voters. Government authorities encouraged violence towards especially towards African Americans. Despite the fact that racism was evident throughout the nation, the mixture of private and public acts of discernment and minimal economic prospects bound for African Americans were largely noticed. Lawsuits had been filed by concerned organization before the revolt and these efforts signified the civil right movement which took place afterwards. The African Americans got tired of the frequent tactics from the federal government to execute unity. The African American management decided to act strategically thus adopted a resistance that was non-violent referred to as civil defiance. Calamities occurred between state authorities and those who were revolting.
The government authorities at all times acted immediately to correct the situation. In some cases the state authority acted in the favor of the revolvers. Civilians revolted in various ways such as embargoes, matches and varying attitudes across the nation. Small corporates for instance leaped up and began backing the civil rights movement. The greatest memorable march took place on Washington. The civilians were advocating for employment and liberty. The march is well recalled by the speech that Martin Luther king provided (Bruce 62). The speech became famous on peoples lips and elevated the chaos even further. The occasion was quite complex with many leaders from the civil society, labor societies and religious organizations coming together to fight for the rights of minority groups. During this march, compromise was the strategy to unite people from all causes. The objectives and aims of the march were highlighted through the compromise strategy which comprised of people from all different walks of life. The leaders of the event were also from different political backgrounds though they had a common goal which was to achieve a peaceful revolt. The march had its peculiar law officers who were meant to ensure that the occasion was successful free of violence and observed the law.
There is still no consensus regarding the success of the march. One major factor has been debated upon in the past few years and that is; women misrepresentation. It appeared that women had actively participated in the march but when it came to the real actions, they were not given a chance to air their views and grievances. Women were placed at the back and granted figurative duties. This was a new dawn for African American women who since then decided to independently fight for their rights and also formed the feminist movement (Gloria 285). The speech by Martin Luther also awaked the women who realized that they needed to do something. The achievements that followed the march include the passing of the civil rights act that expelled discrimination at the work place and public sectors. Another civil act was also passed later on which expelled any form of discrimination in the trade and fee housing. The voting rights act was also approved and it reinstated the rights of minority groups to vote. In the mid twentieth century, another movement referred to as the black power took center stage and argued that the assimilation in the integration policies robbed the African American their self-respect and legacy.
It was argued that African had struggled for so long to maintain their culture and heritage hence any interference from outside forces in the name of assimilation could be likened to treason. There was therefore a need for the African American community to fight for its legacy. Most advocates of what was known as “black power” in the modern times still hold the same arguments that Africans Americans need to safeguard their heritage. Racism on the other hand is still present across the globe and it is thought that some African Americans did not integrate into the American culture due to the inspiration from Martin King or personal measures. Conversely, African Americans became even more oppressed by their own flesh and blood in a new African American level which divided the middle and reigning class. Some have argued that the reason behind this kind of oppression is due to the fact that the “black power” goals had not been completely executed. There was also another movement known as Mexican American. This revolt was also part and parcel of the American civil rights movement. The Chicanos wanted to be included in the political and social arena. This particular movement became active between 1960 and 1970 in several states in America. This particular revolt had roots in the former movement that had taken place.
The movement argued that the federal government of the United States had failed to own up to the Guadalupe Hidalgo agreement. The Chicanos wanted to reclaim their status and heritage. The movement also voiced the troubles of the unregistered Mexicans living in the United States. Other activists joined the Mexican American movement a decade later and supported the endorsement of the rights of the Mexican immigrants and other problems. Majority of the activist confronted the immediate problems that Chicanos faced such as unemployment, viciousness from the police, unbalanced education and many others. This particular movement gained momentum especially at the college level where Mexican American programs were campaigned for. A number of aspects advocated for by these movements are yet to be dealt with.
Work cited
Fiero, Gloria K. The humanistic tradition: chapters in the history of culture to 1650. New York:
University Press of America. 1881, Print
Dierenfield, Bruce J. The civil rights movement. New York: Pearson Longman. 2008,Print
Terence, W. & Riches, M. The civil rights movement: struggle and resistance. New York:
Palgrave Macmillan. 2004. Print
