The Civil War was a turning point in the quest for equality in America. Despite its role in the long awaited abolishment of slavery, the black community in America still continued to endure discrimination at all levels. It is this discrimination that gave birth to the quest for social justice and equality. This article expounds on African American Civil Rights Movement Facts.
Long after the Civil War was over, there seemed to be no commitment from the white majority to deal with the issue of black discrimination, something that was actually more predominant down south. In the lead up to the middle of the nineteen fifties, many black people in America felt the time had come for change. By mustering the support of some whites, they embarked on an era of civil disobedience that went on for two decades.
It is a fact that the nation made some genuine efforts to rid itself of the grip of racial discrimination after the end of slavery. The enactment of the 14th amendment heralded this moment. This amendment was enacted in 1868 and gave all citizens equal protection in all facets of the law. In 1870, this law was redrafted into the 15th amendment, tentatively giving blacks a right to cast their votes. The amendment sent many whites in the southern states into a rage, reason being many of them still viewed black people through the prism of slavery.
The resulting hatred brought about the Jim Crow laws in the south, passed towards the end of the 19th century. The laws were primarily aimed at segregating the population based on race. Blacks were disallowed from utilizing the same public utilities, including schools, as whites. Interracial marriages also became illegal. Moreover, skewed voter literacy tests made it difficult for blacks to attain the right to vote.
Luckily, Jim Crow laws were not enacted in the north. Nevertheless, discrimination continued to be prevalent. Getting an education or buying a house was a near impossibility for the ordinary black man. Sadly, some northern states still passed laws to limit the rights of the black population to vote.
Certain events eventually caused the far reaching activism witnessed during the 1950s and 60s. On 1st December 1955, an incident of monumental proportions took place in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks, a woman aged 42, got off work and boarded a local bus to head home. At the time, segregation laws partitioned seating areas in buses based on race, with blacks like Parks expected to seat at the back.
Soon after, a white man failed to secure seating space at his designated area. The driver subsequently instructed Parks and three other black passengers to surrender their seats. She resisted and was immediately arrested.
The black community reacted to news of the incident with furor. Martin Luther King Jr immediately formed a social justice movement. Its many members staged several peaceful protests that ultimately resulted in the declaration of segregated seating as unconstitutional. Years later, blacks got equality in education, housing, employment and in all social facets
Long after the Civil War was over, there seemed to be no commitment from the white majority to deal with the issue of black discrimination, something that was actually more predominant down south. In the lead up to the middle of the nineteen fifties, many black people in America felt the time had come for change. By mustering the support of some whites, they embarked on an era of civil disobedience that went on for two decades.
It is a fact that the nation made some genuine efforts to rid itself of the grip of racial discrimination after the end of slavery. The enactment of the 14th amendment heralded this moment. This amendment was enacted in 1868 and gave all citizens equal protection in all facets of the law. In 1870, this law was redrafted into the 15th amendment, tentatively giving blacks a right to cast their votes. The amendment sent many whites in the southern states into a rage, reason being many of them still viewed black people through the prism of slavery.
The resulting hatred brought about the Jim Crow laws in the south, passed towards the end of the 19th century. The laws were primarily aimed at segregating the population based on race. Blacks were disallowed from utilizing the same public utilities, including schools, as whites. Interracial marriages also became illegal. Moreover, skewed voter literacy tests made it difficult for blacks to attain the right to vote.
Luckily, Jim Crow laws were not enacted in the north. Nevertheless, discrimination continued to be prevalent. Getting an education or buying a house was a near impossibility for the ordinary black man. Sadly, some northern states still passed laws to limit the rights of the black population to vote.
Certain events eventually caused the far reaching activism witnessed during the 1950s and 60s. On 1st December 1955, an incident of monumental proportions took place in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks, a woman aged 42, got off work and boarded a local bus to head home. At the time, segregation laws partitioned seating areas in buses based on race, with blacks like Parks expected to seat at the back.
Soon after, a white man failed to secure seating space at his designated area. The driver subsequently instructed Parks and three other black passengers to surrender their seats. She resisted and was immediately arrested.
The black community reacted to news of the incident with furor. Martin Luther King Jr immediately formed a social justice movement. Its many members staged several peaceful protests that ultimately resulted in the declaration of segregated seating as unconstitutional. Years later, blacks got equality in education, housing, employment and in all social facets
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