The African American Civil Rights movement was one of many hardships. During its early year very little respect was given to its leaders and followers. African American civil rights were something that many current Americans did not want to give to this group of people and they weren’t going to stop short of anything to stop it from happening. During this time in American History some of the most violent acts took place place between the brothers and sisters of this country since the Civil War.
During the 50s and 60s African American men and women faced hardships almost incomparable to anything people face today. Men and women were sexually assaulted, beaten, and harassed. The worst problem is that there was nothing that they could do about it. African Americans of this time were free, but they weren’t “free.” The “free” I am speaking of is one of equality and peace. They received nothing such. Some groups in our country still fight for there rights to this day, African Americans included.
But when it came to hardships and acts of physical violence there was nothing crueler then the lynching problems they face. African Americas, who committed crimes against what the “white man” deemed so, were hung in public and made examples of. In my minds there is nothing more hay ness in our history than this epidemic right here, this could only be compared to the Salem Witch Trials. In both these troubling times in history men and women were being killed for doing next to nothing.
To combat these things new leaders in the Civil Rights movements began to emerge. Most of these leaders had firm ideals on how they wanted to fight back. Some took a non-violent approach, like Martin Luther King Jr., and others, such as Malcom X and The Black Panthers took a more “hands on” violent approach. But both tactics made and impact and both side accumulated huge followings.
The argument MLK had for his approach was most likely a drop off of his religious background. He felt that we were all brothers and sisters of God and even through their struggle African Americans should not stoop the level of violence. While The Black Panthers felt, and eye for an eye. They believed that the only way the “white man” would listen and change his mind and his ways.
No matter what acts were taking it’s hard to argue which side had made greater strides for equality. While MLK used peace, more violent advocates used fear to make their points. Either way huge strides were made for civil rights during this time, and it make up and very large part of American History. Whether we like to think about it or not, this point in time shaped the way our country is today. Civil Rights leaders of this time faced some trouble things that hopefully we will never have to face again. Men and women like: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, Rosa Parks, and Stokely Carmichae were truly innovators of their times.
After eading your comment about how the civil rights movement shaped our world for today, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if we still had the same ways and motives that we did then now. I think it is incredible how far we have come and just to think that those times were only 50 years or so ago scares me. I truly believe that the African Americans did fight hard to be where they are today and without each side, they might have not gotten as far as they did even despite the fact that there are still some groups today who suffer.
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