Civil Rights brings Equality

The Civil Rights Movement took place between the years of 1955-1968. It essentially was there to "break down the barriers of legal segregation in public accommodations, achieve equality and justice for Blacks, and organize Blacks into a self-conscious social force capable of defining, defending and advancing their interests." (9). Doing away with negative feelings toward the Black race was one of the main goals which was accomplished thanks to groups like the NAACP, SNCC, CORE and SCLC. Another focus of the civil rights movement was to restore suffrage in southern states. However this was not just about Blacks civil rights under law, it was also about freedom, respect, dignity and equality that they deserved.

People say it was the gruesome death of Emmett Till, which occurred in Mississippi during 1955, that brought the collective spirit of our nation together and sparked the civil rights movement. Till's brutal murder occurred after he supposedly either whistled or said "bye baby" to a white women (there are different accounts of what actually happened). The murder was done by Bryant (owner of the store) and his half brother a few nights later. The men beat Till, shot him and tied a cotton gin fan to his neck and barbed wire to weigh down his body. They then preceded to throw Till into a nearby river, his body was found swollen and disfigured three days later. Emmett's mother insisted that the world see what kind of cruel things come from the violent acts of racism, she allowed for a public funeral service and an open casket. The trial which the two white men received was extremely unfair, the two men were proven innocent after only about an hour of deliberation. This terrible and tragic event is a dark part of our nations past but it sparked the Civil Rights Movement mainly because of the unfair justice that Till received. Right when I heard the name spoken in class I knew the story of the young boy but I could not remember specific details. However, when we started talking about him all of the details came rushing back into my mind and I vividly remembered the story, how could you not? It's definitely not a story you forget. It is sad to think that events like this are what had to play a part in changing our nations history and our citizens rights. However, events like this do not go unnoticed and will forever be remembered as a stepping stone in our history.

SNCC stands for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. This committee played an essential role to the Civil Rights Movement. This group started in North Carolina in 1960 from student meetings which were led by Ella Baker. It participated in the "major strategies of the Civil Rights Movement- including boycotts, sit-ins, voter registration campaigns, cooperative projects and even political party building." (188). Not only did this group play a part in integration but it also played an integral role in Black power. After the democratic convention in 1964 the group sort of split in two, both groups having differences in their ideas. Stokely Carmicheal believed that Blacks should be free to use violence in self-defense. After these discussions occurred, the mainstream Civil Rights Movement began to distance itself from the SNCC. The SNCC began to expel white staff and volunteers and those whites who had supported them in the past. The SNCC went through changes in leaders but ultimately the overall idea of the group was seen as violence for violence.. by the 1970's the SNCC was no longer seen as an effective organization.

Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were both great men who played a huge role in the Civil Rights Movement and helped get us to where we are today. Malcolm X believed that it was okay to use our rights for self-defense while King believed that the nonviolent acts and way of life should be stressed. Perhaps Malcolm X's life experience helped to shape his philosophy because he had been thrown into the criminal world at a young age which led to his time spent in jail. After going through these struggles I'm sure he thought that being able to defend oneself is necessary for survival in such a tough world.

I believe that the Civil Rights Movement succeeded in what it set out to accomplish. If we look around today there is evidence everywhere. We all have equal rights as citizens and there is no longer segregation. The racism of our nation may still exist in some areas but for the most part it is gone. While this movement took many years, many unfortunate events, many leaders and many situations, it definitely was worth it. There are also many new laws that are necessary to aid in our nations equality. While our nation has a gruesome past and we have gone through a lot, it helped get us where we are today which is for the most part an equal and thriving nation.

I agree with this statement that without others ideas and thoughts, we seem to have one-sided opinions. Not only that, but if we only see one type of lifestyle or only know one way of thinking then we are forcing ourself to be less diverse. I was taught to always look at other ideas and I was thrown into a world where it is hard not to notice diversity. I am thankful for that. I think it is best for people to be put in a place where they are told others thoughts and lifestyles but I think it would be hard to make someone do that if they don't want to. I believe that who I am today is because of what I have experienced and been exposed to thus far in my life.