Introduction
The civil rights movement was among the most significant historical events in America that changed the nation profoundly. The strive for freedom and justice-involved many heroic figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., who, through nonviolent protests, unmasked the repressive actions of the racist individuals and systems and stirred hope for equality and the American dream among the black people. This paper provides a case study of change brought by the civil rights movement, its effect on minority groups, the relevance of the strategies, tactics, and ideas used today, and its impact on contemporary diversity.
The Civil Rights Movement Effectively Changed the Nation
The civil rights movement of the mid-1950s to 1960s arose from the desire for fundamental liberties and justice for blacks and other minorities. Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech lamented that years after the signing of the Emancipation Declaration, “the Negro still is not free but rather lives in poverty amidst a vast ocean of material prosperity” (King, 1963, para. 3). He implied that the reality of the American dream was not for African Americans. Therefore, the movement impacted race relations in the country by promoting equality and justice for all. In his speech, King expressed his “dream that one day this nation will rise and live out the true meaning of its creed” (King, 1963, para. 4). The full realization of the American dream – political, economic, and cultural emancipation – by the black population came through the movement.
Landmark civil rights laws enacted during the civil rights movement produced a lasting and fundamental change in America. The 1954 Supreme Court desegregation decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case upheld civil rights for African Americans and promoted integration in American public life (Chenoweth, 2017). Another equal-rights legislation with profound effects to this day is the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It prohibited employment discrimination based on “race, religion, color, sex, or national origin” (Chenoweth, 2017, p. 91). This legislation also extended civil freedoms to include voting rights and fair housing for all. Additionally, the civil rights movement laid the foundation for other social actions and activism. It continues to influence social action by students, women, gay people, and other minorities to agitate for equal rights.
Effect on Minority Groups
The Civil Rights Acts were among the biggest accomplishments of the civil rights movement. Their positive effect is felt across North America and globally and includes greater access to economic and social opportunities and specific protections for minorities. For example, the 1964 Civil Rights Act expanded socioeconomic mobility for blacks and prohibited discriminatory practices, delivering more economic opportunities for women, African Americans, LGBTs, and other minority groups (Nimtz, 2016). Furthermore, the subsequent legislation (the 1965 Voting Rights Act) safeguarded minority voting rights. Election laws and procedures across the continent are no longer discriminatory, and universal suffrage is promoted. The 1968 Fair Housing Act ensures equal housing for all people irrespective of race or heritage (Chenoweth, 2017). Today, these Acts provide a model and the impetus for the global efforts to address threats to democratic processes and promote justice for women, the black community, immigrants, refugees, and religious minorities.
Tactics and Strategies of Civil Rights Activists
In my opinion, the strategies used by the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement apply to today’s racial or ethnic conflicts. Nonviolence, as a tactic, is an effective approach to ending discrimination, injustice, and disparities that often fuel disputes. Pacifist principles guided the Civil Rights Activists led by Martin Luther King Jr. According to Nimtz (2016), the civil rights leaders knew that segregationists would fight to defend the status quo, including using violence against blacks. Therefore, responding to violent actions and discrimination in the South with passive resistance was necessary to generate crises and compel federal action. Even today, ethnic or religious minorities in repressive states or regions can use nonviolent protests to draw global attention to their plight and promote legislative or policy change.
The civil rights activists were compelled to use economic boycotts and sit-ins to force structural changes. These strategies highlighted the black community’s plight and swayed public opinion towards the side of the activists (Nimtz, 2016). With passive courts and law enforcement in the South, civil rights activists had to use force to deter direct attacks from violent vigilante groups. Armed self-defense may be indispensable in conflict situations where minorities are targets of extreme violence. Therefore, nonviolent protests, economic boycotts, and sit-ins are useful tactics to trigger federal action, while force may be necessary to defend lives and property.
The Relevance of the Ideas of the 1960s
The civil rights movement had a profound impact on activism then, and the lessons from the 1960s are still relevant today. The idea that repression and discrimination should be fought and collective social action can address inequality are significant in contemporary societies. The black freedom struggle created greater awareness about the various forms of oppression that minorities experience (Clayton, 2018). The increased visibility in the media of movements, such as the ‘black lives matter’ campaign was also the case with the 1960s social action.
The contemporary movements by women, LGBTs, and religious minorities involve ideas from the 1960s. The legislation (1964 Civil Rights Act) protected minority groups from discrimination, creating a legal framework for oppressed groups to agitate for their rights (Clayton, 2018). Modern movements for legislative changes are anchored in civil rights of equality and justice. The idea of nonviolent action used in the 1960s is also relevant today. Numerous groups utilize economic boycotts, mass protests, and freedom songs to confront the government and call for change. The civil rights movement provided various ideas on how to mobilize and sustain social action by oppressed groups.
Impact on Diversity in America Today
The civil rights movement would impact diversity in two main ways. First, addressing pervasive racial disparities in income, education, and health and bias in the criminal justice system. Therefore, collective action for equal access to opportunities would draw support from diverse entities, including the civil society, private sector, faith-based organizations, and government (Chenoweth, 2017). A coalescence of interests would strengthen diversity in the civil rights movement. Second, the increasing immigrant population of Hispanic or Arabic origin would alter the dynamics of collective action. Race and ethnic relations would be viewed from the country’s broader diversity – ethnicity, sexual orientation, and demographic profile. Interracial marriages and public figures from minority groups would also redefine race. Thus, civil rights movements would involve multiracial actors, and the focus would be on racial disparities rather than discrimination.
Conclusion
The civil rights movement was an important event in American history. It revealed the agency and power of collective action by blacks to end oppression and discrimination. More importantly, the movement provided an impetus for other minority or oppressed groups to agitate for change. Its ideas and tactics of nonviolence, economic boycotts, and sit-ins are relevant to today’s activism and advocacy to better treat marginalized individuals.
References
Chenoweth, E. (2017). Trends in nonviolent resistance and state response: Is violence towards civilian-based movements on the rise? Global Responsibility to Protect, 9(1), 86-100. Web.
Clayton, D. M. (2018). Black lives matter and the civil rights movement: A comparative analysis of two social movements in the United States. Journal of Black Studies, 49(5), 448-480.
King, M. L. (1963). “I have a dream,” address delivered at the march on Washington for jobs and freedom. Stanford University. Web.
Nimtz, A. (2016). Violence and/or nonviolence in the success of the civil rights movement: The Malcolm X–Martin Luther King, Jr. Nexus. New Political Science, 38(1), 1-22.