Civil Rights Movement In The 1960s

Civil Rights Movement

Introduction In the 1960s, African-Americans face a troubled life full with prejudice from the whites. Blacks all over the nation were faced with inequality, discrimination, and racism. The civil rights act was a turning point for African-Americans and all America. Today, the civil rights act has continued to play a part in society. The struggle to achieve equality to those of whites was during the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. African-Americans were in pursuit of equality opportunity in employment, right to vote, education, the right to enter and use public facilities, housing, and most important the right to be free of any racial discrimination. The achievement of the civil rights act returned the rights guaranteed

On August 28,1963 over 250,000 people gathered together and participated in the March for Jobs and Freedom. This was the largest demonstration in the history of the civil rights movement. There were lots of blacks and whites gathered for the first time helping each other address the crowd. They spoke out for voting rights, opportunities, end to racial segregation, and equal employment than those of whites. After the demonstration came Dr. Kings, the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), who gave a speech addressing the struggle black Americans were encountering and also expressed the importance for continuing with the non-violent resistance. He gave a speech called “I have a dream.” In this speech Dr. King voiced his faith that one day there would be equality between whites and blacks. That they would be seen as equal and stand together in harmony and peace: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Dr. King concluded his speech by stating, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! This speech has been remembered as one of the greatest speeches in the history of America. Dr. King was the most famous figure in the civil rights movement and his speck served as a defining

King’s non-violence demonstrations the civil rights movement began to get serious motion in the nation. It was in 1964 when John F. Kennedy made the new civil rights legislation part of his campaign. In general the government did not get involved in the civil rights movement until President Johnson pushed the civil rights act through Congress. The legislation act was in favor of racial equality, prohibited discrimination in public places on the basis of race, sex, origin, and religion. It also authorized the desegregation of pubic places. Including, bus depots, swimming pools, parks, and of course lunch counters. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was also established. This gave the permission to sue states that discriminated in the workplace. The civil rights act also gave the blacks the equal rights to vote by taking away registration requirements and procedures that make it impossible for blacks to register to vote. Lastly, the act authorized aid to assist with school desegregation. This was a moment of success for the blacks. Former President John in a ceremony at the White House signed the Civil Rights Act into law on July 2,