The Civil Rights Movement: The Power Of A Dutchman

Power of a “Dutchman” It was said of the civil rights movement of the 1960’s “The Civil Rights Movement was the largest social movement of the 20th century in the United States.” The years leading up to this, however, are really shows us the driving force behind the leaders of the movement. What made them say the things they said? Why did they act the way they did? They all had a reason to finish the fight started in a past long filled with discrimination. Those who were directly affected by the segregation that took place in all the states had clear motives. What about the others? Many African American men and women were bold to stand up for themselves, even in the small things, and fight the hard battles. There were, however, non-African

Rice said in his “Leroi Jones’ ‘Dutchman’: A Reading”, “…Jones suggests, he says that he rejects violence. At this point perhaps he represents the black rage that was paradoxically accompanied by professed nonviolence in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s:…” (56). Jones was very passionate about the movement and show in his works, namely “Dutchman”, the fervor with which he hoped to explain his righteous anger. This approach was invaluable to those who wouldn’t listen to the “peaceful approach”. He charged forth in both words and works pleading that white Americans understand his words. His work was, as Hugh Nelson said, “’Dutchman’ is an examination in the form of an action of the tension which Jones reads in the present racial situation.” (59). As Nelson states, Jones reads the growing temperament from both opposing parties and uses “Dutchman” as an outlet to show how the African Americans

Although he may appear crude and violent, one can see just how this was needed for some Americans to accept the Civil Rights of all men, black or white. From this new view one can see just why men said the things they did and why they acted as they did. Because of the embodiment of the feelings of African Americans in Jones’s main character we can understand how they were affected by the words that slowly stole the life out of them. Although, sometimes unpleasant, Jones put forth the actual reality that many needed to understand. In all, we see, without Jones’s “Dutchman” no one would’ve viewed the Civil Rights Movement under the black lens, but with it we are given a world of ideas and thoughts to bring the Civil Rights Era into new