Civil Rights Movement
When I think of historical events, I first think of the word ‘historical’. Defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “of, relating to, or having the character of history”. Well what actually has the character of history? Is history just something that happened in the past? Some might say so, but to me it is much more than that. To me, a character of history is something so significant that it changed the direction of the future. Something that comes to mind when people talk about ‘history’ is, for me that event, rather, series of events is the Civil Rights Movement.
We label it the Civil Rights Movement, but to me there was much more to it, and there was definitely a larger background to all of the movement starting from the beginning of segregation. One event where President Lincoln ‘freed the slaves’ will forever embark our memories. This was just the beginning. Abraham Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed fro the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” (1) Lincoln held tightly to the creed of
America ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal’. It was because of Lincoln’s grasp on the situation and desire for change in America that we can attribute the rights and liberties that all (should) be entitled to today.
If America had become more set in the ways of Slavery and Lincoln had not emancipated the slaves as he did, regardless of the backlash that was received, the country we live in now would be much different than it is now. I feel that there would have been even more backlash and hate for those fighting against slavery. I do feel that it eventually would have come to an end, but it would not have been as ‘civil’ as it was. I feel that it would have been much worse.
After Lincoln was in Presidency, there were a number of events that led us through to today. Although it is arguable that there is complete equality and right among all, I do feel that everyone does have the same rights as far as the laws are in place. I feel that any segregation that does occur today is because of individual’s beliefs and values. Some of the events that can be recognized as steps towards the freedoms and equality we have in America now are the change in the Fourteenth Amendment stating that ‘blacks’ were to be prohibited from participating in juries, a change to the nineteenth amendment allowing women the rights to vote. The change allowing ‘blacks’ the right to vote, and of course the freedom and awareness of the rights of the slaves was the event that began it all.
A story from the childhood of President Jimmy Carter as told by Professor A.J. Badger (2) depicts a young Jimmy Carter playing with a young boy who was his closet friend. This boy was a young ‘black’ boy. At the end of a day of play on a train traveling across the plains, the young boys would both retreat to their own separate compartments. President Carter had later reflected that it was not the fact that they were separated that he remembered and thought of later on no life, but the fact that he did not feel that there was anything wrong with it at the time. President Carter’s Mother, called Lillian was known for her status in the area, as was his
Father. Mrs. Carter had taken up a student of the Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She maintained a close relationship with them. Mrs. Carter would allow the young boy to meet her at the front door rather that the back. Mr. Carter, however did not approve of this behavior. The Bishop was also a large figure within their community and was on the opposite end of the beliefs of Mr. Carter. The two of them, because of their prestige and rolls within the community often did business together. Mr. Carter refused to allow the Bishop to come to their front door. He felt that the Bishop should do as all other blacks in the community and go to the back door out of respect to him. The Bishop refused to go to the back door out of respect for himself.
The two men compromised and met in Mr. Carter’s driveway. The Bishop would sit in his car and Mr. Cater would stand and there, they would conduct their business. Jimmy Cater grew up in a very poor area in the South. Here, African Americans were powerless, segregated, and suffered economically. Jimmy Carter was a representative of this area and was voted into office, not by the ‘White Men’ but by the majority vote of those ‘Black Men’ in the southern regions. It was observed by Andrew Young that is was the hands that picked the cotton who picked the president.
So what led to the changes of the times? How did we get from the times where a black man could not go to some ones front door to today, where people of all nationality, color, education, cultural background, age, sex and social status can congregate among one another. Where their children may attend school with one another and not be told not to speak to one another? How did this change? How has it shaped the America we know today? How will it continue to shape it, or will it?
One of the first changes that were present was the economic modernization changes that came about during and after World War Two and the Cold War. The minority were more economically stable and able to provide more for them selves. They began to move into larger areas of the country and into more of the predominantly ‘white’ communities. This would eventually bring on backlash on both sides. This would influence political stance as the demonstrations would bring more awareness and injury. Eventually some [politicians] would just give up. It was an issue that they feel could no longer be fought.
The growing popularity of the movement took its toll on the public and the government. The growing economic strength of southern businesses and the growing families moving into neighborhoods where they were now mixing with others of a ‘higher class’ or ‘higher race’ eventually would break down barriers that were once there, and are now invisible or completely dissolved. The growth of the black community had a large amount to do with the awareness. I believe that there were some Politian’s that just became tired of it all. Almost as if they just gave in. However, there were some who recognized that America, home of the free were not allowing all of the citizens to be just that. People began to realize as more poeople they once feared were normal people with lives just as they had. They were Mother’s, Sisters, Wives, Brothers, Fathers, Husbands, Sons and Daughters just as everyone else. They were all made up of the same anatomy, same ways of life, the only difference was the color of their skin. Some probably began to wonder why? Why are we treating out neighbors this way? It was a social norm to do so, but why? Do we all have to follow the social norm?
America today has changed in many ways because of the Civil Rights Movement(s). I believe that this all began long before the era of the Movement, but became all the more powerful with the power that the people suffering from this treatment were beginning to acquire. The civil rights movement changed the way our children attend school today. Schools are allowed to be much more diverse, and they teach history of those of a different color. Not only do we now learn American History, but we learn TRUE American History. This includes the history of those who changed the way America is shaped now. This includes the stories and reflections of those that suffered because it was not socially acceptable any other way.
African American citizens are now able to live safe and happy lives. There have been so many that have contributed to the culture of America today. We now have artists, musicians, Politian’s, teachers, and neighbors who are large influences on all of us on a daily basis. These people that are so influential are of all races, nationalities, genders, cultures and backgrounds.
African American’s are now able to live full lives and not live in fear. African Americans can now live in ‘higher class’ and ‘middle class’ areas and participate fully within the community. Society in America has changed for the better in ways that never would have been possible if it weren’t for the brave people who shaped the way of America today. There were so many people, both black and white who made huge sacrifices, including their lives for this movement to become a reality.
In so many ways, I feel that this was one of the single most best, and changes in America and one of the largest. It was a change that was a long time coming. This was history that was not only a on time event, but an even that went on from the beginning of America and is still alive and remembered today. America is still not where it should be as a whole when it comes to being completely equal for all. There are still events and words that take place when they should not. There are still those that feel segregated in ways. I do see that America continues to evolve and accept. If we didn’t, we would not have the President in office in which we do now. It is a truly amazing thing that we have finally come this far. This entire movement across the time of American History, is to me, the single more memorable piece of history. There will be a day where our children, or the children of our children will not even know the effects of what has been unless they read it in a book. It will be history that will show the shape of America.
Resources:
1. http://www.greatdreams.com/civil_rights.htm
2. http://www.history.org.uk/resources/general_resource_887_41.html
We label it the Civil Rights Movement, but to me there was much more to it, and there was definitely a larger background to all of the movement starting from the beginning of segregation. One event where President Lincoln ‘freed the slaves’ will forever embark our memories. This was just the beginning. Abraham Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed fro the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” (1) Lincoln held tightly to the creed of
America ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal’. It was because of Lincoln’s grasp on the situation and desire for change in America that we can attribute the rights and liberties that all (should) be entitled to today.
If America had become more set in the ways of Slavery and Lincoln had not emancipated the slaves as he did, regardless of the backlash that was received, the country we live in now would be much different than it is now. I feel that there would have been even more backlash and hate for those fighting against slavery. I do feel that it eventually would have come to an end, but it would not have been as ‘civil’ as it was. I feel that it would have been much worse.
After Lincoln was in Presidency, there were a number of events that led us through to today. Although it is arguable that there is complete equality and right among all, I do feel that everyone does have the same rights as far as the laws are in place. I feel that any segregation that does occur today is because of individual’s beliefs and values. Some of the events that can be recognized as steps towards the freedoms and equality we have in America now are the change in the Fourteenth Amendment stating that ‘blacks’ were to be prohibited from participating in juries, a change to the nineteenth amendment allowing women the rights to vote. The change allowing ‘blacks’ the right to vote, and of course the freedom and awareness of the rights of the slaves was the event that began it all.
A story from the childhood of President Jimmy Carter as told by Professor A.J. Badger (2) depicts a young Jimmy Carter playing with a young boy who was his closet friend. This boy was a young ‘black’ boy. At the end of a day of play on a train traveling across the plains, the young boys would both retreat to their own separate compartments. President Carter had later reflected that it was not the fact that they were separated that he remembered and thought of later on no life, but the fact that he did not feel that there was anything wrong with it at the time. President Carter’s Mother, called Lillian was known for her status in the area, as was his
Father. Mrs. Carter had taken up a student of the Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She maintained a close relationship with them. Mrs. Carter would allow the young boy to meet her at the front door rather that the back. Mr. Carter, however did not approve of this behavior. The Bishop was also a large figure within their community and was on the opposite end of the beliefs of Mr. Carter. The two of them, because of their prestige and rolls within the community often did business together. Mr. Carter refused to allow the Bishop to come to their front door. He felt that the Bishop should do as all other blacks in the community and go to the back door out of respect to him. The Bishop refused to go to the back door out of respect for himself.
The two men compromised and met in Mr. Carter’s driveway. The Bishop would sit in his car and Mr. Cater would stand and there, they would conduct their business. Jimmy Cater grew up in a very poor area in the South. Here, African Americans were powerless, segregated, and suffered economically. Jimmy Carter was a representative of this area and was voted into office, not by the ‘White Men’ but by the majority vote of those ‘Black Men’ in the southern regions. It was observed by Andrew Young that is was the hands that picked the cotton who picked the president.
So what led to the changes of the times? How did we get from the times where a black man could not go to some ones front door to today, where people of all nationality, color, education, cultural background, age, sex and social status can congregate among one another. Where their children may attend school with one another and not be told not to speak to one another? How did this change? How has it shaped the America we know today? How will it continue to shape it, or will it?
One of the first changes that were present was the economic modernization changes that came about during and after World War Two and the Cold War. The minority were more economically stable and able to provide more for them selves. They began to move into larger areas of the country and into more of the predominantly ‘white’ communities. This would eventually bring on backlash on both sides. This would influence political stance as the demonstrations would bring more awareness and injury. Eventually some [politicians] would just give up. It was an issue that they feel could no longer be fought.
The growing popularity of the movement took its toll on the public and the government. The growing economic strength of southern businesses and the growing families moving into neighborhoods where they were now mixing with others of a ‘higher class’ or ‘higher race’ eventually would break down barriers that were once there, and are now invisible or completely dissolved. The growth of the black community had a large amount to do with the awareness. I believe that there were some Politian’s that just became tired of it all. Almost as if they just gave in. However, there were some who recognized that America, home of the free were not allowing all of the citizens to be just that. People began to realize as more poeople they once feared were normal people with lives just as they had. They were Mother’s, Sisters, Wives, Brothers, Fathers, Husbands, Sons and Daughters just as everyone else. They were all made up of the same anatomy, same ways of life, the only difference was the color of their skin. Some probably began to wonder why? Why are we treating out neighbors this way? It was a social norm to do so, but why? Do we all have to follow the social norm?
America today has changed in many ways because of the Civil Rights Movement(s). I believe that this all began long before the era of the Movement, but became all the more powerful with the power that the people suffering from this treatment were beginning to acquire. The civil rights movement changed the way our children attend school today. Schools are allowed to be much more diverse, and they teach history of those of a different color. Not only do we now learn American History, but we learn TRUE American History. This includes the history of those who changed the way America is shaped now. This includes the stories and reflections of those that suffered because it was not socially acceptable any other way.
African American citizens are now able to live safe and happy lives. There have been so many that have contributed to the culture of America today. We now have artists, musicians, Politian’s, teachers, and neighbors who are large influences on all of us on a daily basis. These people that are so influential are of all races, nationalities, genders, cultures and backgrounds.
African American’s are now able to live full lives and not live in fear. African Americans can now live in ‘higher class’ and ‘middle class’ areas and participate fully within the community. Society in America has changed for the better in ways that never would have been possible if it weren’t for the brave people who shaped the way of America today. There were so many people, both black and white who made huge sacrifices, including their lives for this movement to become a reality.
In so many ways, I feel that this was one of the single most best, and changes in America and one of the largest. It was a change that was a long time coming. This was history that was not only a on time event, but an even that went on from the beginning of America and is still alive and remembered today. America is still not where it should be as a whole when it comes to being completely equal for all. There are still events and words that take place when they should not. There are still those that feel segregated in ways. I do see that America continues to evolve and accept. If we didn’t, we would not have the President in office in which we do now. It is a truly amazing thing that we have finally come this far. This entire movement across the time of American History, is to me, the single more memorable piece of history. There will be a day where our children, or the children of our children will not even know the effects of what has been unless they read it in a book. It will be history that will show the shape of America.
Resources:
1. http://www.greatdreams.com/civil_rights.htm
2. http://www.history.org.uk/resources/general_resource_887_41.html