Injustice In The Civil Rights Act Of 1964

1730 Words7 Pages

From the years of 1954-1968, The United States fought with itself over the morality of one of the darkest examples of social injustices in history: racism. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the turning point in segregation and racism in American history, and the catalyst that furthered the push for full equality within the coming years. The act came during a time of continued racial prejudice that had not faltered since the abolishment of slavery. Public segregation was dominating The United States, especially in the South. African Americans had no voting rights, and very few black counterparts served in public offices. Oppression is the word to describe this continued mistreatment at this time. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the pivotal event …show more content…

It began with slavery in the 1800’s. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery. In the 1900’s African Americans faced racial prejudice, injustice, and mistreatment as they sought to live alongside the rest of the Americans. Likewise to President Lincoln, President Kennedy and President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to do something about this morally incorrect standard of treatment to other human beings. Over time, humans realize mistakes and seek to change them. Being born into a society with certain beliefs and stereotypes does not mean it's set in stone to be right. These claims have been backed all throughout history. For example, that is why some people who are born into a religion change to atheism. The Civil Rights Act was really put into consideration after the Birmingham riots and protests, which opened the eyes of the people. President Kennedy then pushed for the legislation after seeing the United States begin to tear itself apart. President Johnson furthered his work after Kennedy’s assassination. The March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream…” speech all showed the power of unity, and a glimpse of what the world couple be post passing of the act. After going through Congress the bill was signed and then began the undoing of the years of prejudice, and the building of the years of equality to come. The Civil Rights Act did not just set basic civil rights, but put in motion new legislation in the years to come in favor of equality. It’s one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement, and the turning point in the fight for civil