Civil Rights Act Of 1964 Essay

861 Words4 Pages

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended all state and local laws involving segregation. It has only been 54 years since segregation in the United states was legal. Until about 50 years ago the laws did not protect everyone as a whole; black and white people were not considered equal and were separated from each other. This included racial segregation in schools, restaurants, cafes, bathrooms, hotels/motels, on buses and trains. The modern Civil Rights movement began in the 1950s when Rosa Parks refused to give her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. During this time, African-Americans began to protest, boycott, and march against racial segregation. The Freedom Rides campaign was meant to test segregation in interstate transportation. African-Americans would boycott city buses amd protest against public schools urging integration. American Civil Rights activists like Diane Nash, James Farmer, Jo Ann …show more content…

In the “TV Interview with Malcolm X” Malcolm speaks on social differences and protecting ourselves. Malcolm X believed that citizens should have the right to protect themselves if the government is unable to do so. Rosa Parks and Malcolm X strongly encourage individuals fighting for their rights and protecting their lives if the authorities are unable to do so. For instance, Rosa Parks protected herself by refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. According to “TV Interview with Malcolm X,” “... We should get whatever is necessary to protect ourselves in a country or in an area where the governmental ability to protect us has broken down.” In Rosa Parks’ journals readers found there were two sides to her personality. “..Both sides of Parks’ personality — the calm, determined protester and the furious agitator for change..” as stated in the text. Whenever it is necessary, you must defy the laws when it is unjust and protect your