One key turning point in the history of America was the Civil War. While it significantly helped rid the nation of the yoke of slavery, blacks still endured untold discrimination for long thereafter. The discriminative nature of policies in the country made many blacks rally for change, more so in the areas of equality and social justice. This article chronicles a couple of historically significant African American Civil Rights Movement facts.
In the years that followed the Civil War, there was a clear lack of commitment to end the habitual discrimination of black people, a habit that was more prevalent in the southern states of the nation. Towards the middle of the twentieth century, a vast majority of blacks felt they could not take it anymore. With support from a considerable number of whites, they partook in protests that spanned the course of 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 infamous Jim Crow laws associated with the south at the end of the 1900s came as a result of the mounting hatred. The general aim of these laws was to bring about racial segregation. A typical black was forbidden from using the same public facilities as whites, including educational institutions. It was also illegal for a black to marry a white. Unfair voter literacy tests also ensured blacks stayed out of voting.
Luckily, northern states did not take up these laws. However, discrimination continued unabated. An ordinary black would have to go through hell to get educated or purchase a house. A handful of northern states even passed legislation limiting the black population from voting.
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.
After taking her seat, a white man hopped on but could not get a place to seat. The driver then instructed four blacks, including Parks, to give up their seats. Upon resisting, she was arrested.
The incident resulted in a great uproar among the blacks. Subsequently, an equality movement was formed, with its leader being Martin Luther King Jr. Its members staged many peaceful protests that pushed the Supreme Court to declare segregated seating illegal. In the subsequent years, the blacks attained equality in employment, housing, education and the social system at large.
In the years that followed the Civil War, there was a clear lack of commitment to end the habitual discrimination of black people, a habit that was more prevalent in the southern states of the nation. Towards the middle of the twentieth century, a vast majority of blacks felt they could not take it anymore. With support from a considerable number of whites, they partook in protests that spanned the course of 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 infamous Jim Crow laws associated with the south at the end of the 1900s came as a result of the mounting hatred. The general aim of these laws was to bring about racial segregation. A typical black was forbidden from using the same public facilities as whites, including educational institutions. It was also illegal for a black to marry a white. Unfair voter literacy tests also ensured blacks stayed out of voting.
Luckily, northern states did not take up these laws. However, discrimination continued unabated. An ordinary black would have to go through hell to get educated or purchase a house. A handful of northern states even passed legislation limiting the black population from voting.
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.
After taking her seat, a white man hopped on but could not get a place to seat. The driver then instructed four blacks, including Parks, to give up their seats. Upon resisting, she was arrested.
The incident resulted in a great uproar among the blacks. Subsequently, an equality movement was formed, with its leader being Martin Luther King Jr. Its members staged many peaceful protests that pushed the Supreme Court to declare segregated seating illegal. In the subsequent years, the blacks attained equality in employment, housing, education and the social system at large.
About the Author:
When you are searching for information about African American Civil Rights Movement facts, come to our web pages online today. More details are available at http://www.ablemable1.com/faith-over-fear-book now.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire