The Civil War heralded a new beginning in as far as equality was concerned in America. While it is largely credited for helping rid the country of slavery, it is a fact that blacks continued to suffer discrimination at many levels. The discrimination suffered by this community in the decades to follow gave rise to a struggle for equality and social justice. Read on to learn some cool 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 no secret that there was a genuine attempt to bring equality after the historic abolishment of slavery. If one moment best chronicles this attempt, it is the passing of the fourteenth amendment. It was passed in 1868, granting every black person equal protection as provided by law. In 1870, a redraft resulted in the 15th amendment, allowing the black population to participate in elections through voting. This particular law maddened a great number of southern based whites, with lots of them viewing blacks as less significant beings due to their history as slaves.
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, 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.
A number of events led up to the start of the historic activism of the 1950s and 1960s. It all started on the 1st of December, 1955. Rosa Parks, a 42 year old lady, took up her seat on a bus after work in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, segregation laws required blacks to seat at specific seats at the back of buses, which is exactly what Parks had done.
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 no secret that there was a genuine attempt to bring equality after the historic abolishment of slavery. If one moment best chronicles this attempt, it is the passing of the fourteenth amendment. It was passed in 1868, granting every black person equal protection as provided by law. In 1870, a redraft resulted in the 15th amendment, allowing the black population to participate in elections through voting. This particular law maddened a great number of southern based whites, with lots of them viewing blacks as less significant beings due to their history as slaves.
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, 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.
A number of events led up to the start of the historic activism of the 1950s and 1960s. It all started on the 1st of December, 1955. Rosa Parks, a 42 year old lady, took up her seat on a bus after work in Montgomery, Alabama. Back then, segregation laws required blacks to seat at specific seats at the back of buses, which is exactly what Parks had done.
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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