THE CIVIL RIGHT MOVEMENTS

The Civil Right Movements-A case study of the Black Struggle

Introduction

Statement of the Problem:

There is a huge ambiguity among people about whether the Civil Rights Movement has been successful or failed to accomplish the purpose.

Research Question:

The question that has been asked and answered in this question is whether the Civil Rights Movement was success or a failure.

Preview of Conclusion:

There was a fair share of successes and failures that accompanied the civil rights movement.

Literature Review

The work and sacrifices of the brave men and women of the Civil Rights Movement (“Movement”)—both black and white are worthy of great appreciation. (Peck, 2002)

The Supreme Court decision outlawing school segregation in 1954, the experience of African Americans during World War II and the political independence movements in Africa all further heightened black consciousness in America. In the early 1940s, Philip Randolph's work showed signs of the coming civil rights protest. Randolph worked with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in attacking discrimination in white-dominated labor unions. He found throughout America that "Negroes did not want to shoulder a gun to fight for democracy abroad unless they got democracy at home." In 1941, he threatened to march on Washington, DC, to force President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue an executive order compelling fair employment for African Americans. (King, 2004)He told his fellow black protesters that such an approach needed persons who had developed self-control and the requisite moral and spiritual resources to meet the most trying ordeal. The black church was instrumental in developing those leadership qualities through a fervent commitment among African Americans. Roosevelt reluctantly issued Executive Order 8802, which was confined to the armed services. The conflict between President Roosevelt and Randolph clearly indicated African Americans' new militancy and assertiveness, which were to be characteristic of the Civil Rights Movement.

When Rosa Parks was arrested on 1 December 1955 for violating the bus segregation ordinance in Montgomery, Alabama, the most potent catalyst for the black consciousness movement was delivered. The Civil Rights Movement took off when blacks in Montgomery organized a bus boycott led by the reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On 21 December 1956, after 381 days of boycott, the Montgomery buses were desegregated when the Supreme Court decreed that segregation was unconstitutional. The modern civil rights movement had begun. (Farmer, 2005)

The struggle of black Americans for equality reached its peak in mid 1960. After progressive victories in the past decade, blacks committed more thoroughly with nonviolent direct action. Some groups, such as the Conference of the Southern Christian Leadership (SCLC by its acronym in English) consisting of black clergy, and the Student Committee for the Coordination of Non-Violence (SNCC), composed of young activists, sought reform through peaceful discussion.

In 1960 workers civil rights advocates organized "freedom rides" in which black and white bus ride south segregated terminals, where confrontations they received the attention of the media and lead to change .

At first, President Kennedy refused to pressurize the Southern white support for civil rights, because he needed their votes on other ...