Introduction
The article “Black Lives Matter and the Civil Rights Movement: A Comparative Analysis of Two Social Movements in the United States” by Dewey M. Clayton provides an in-depth comparative analysis of two of the most significant social movements in American history (Clayton, 2018). The groups include the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter group, influential in steering social balance through rapid approaches and campaigns (Clayton, 2018). Therefore, this article reviews Dewey Clayton’s work by analyzing the main argument, providing a synopsis, and examining the strengths and weaknesses based on the author’s rationale.
Main Argument
The article’s central claim is that the Black Lives Matter movement is a natural progenitor of the Civil Rights Movement since both share a commitment to racial equality and justice. Clayton argues the Black Lives Matter movement has expanded on the triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement to tackle issues like police brutality, racial profiling, and the criminal justice system (Clayton, 2018). Clayton also claims that the Black Lives Matter movement has effectively utilized the internet and other forms of modern communication to propagate its message and organize its followers (Clayton, 2018). Therefore, the Black Lives Matter movement has been more effective due to its decentralized leadership, online visibility, and widespread support.
Synopsis
The author delves into a comparative analysis of the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter movement. He discusses the similarities between the two activist groups, such as their shared goal of challenging racial injustice in the United States (Clayton, 2018). He also discusses the differences between the two movements, such as the centralized governance in the civil rights movement and the decentralized system in the black lives matter movement (Clayton, 2018). He argues that the groups have successfully brought attention to the issue of racial injustice but that Black Lives Matter has been more instrumental in creating a sustained movement due to its decentralized structure and use of social media.
Strengths
The article’s strengths are its comprehensive comparison of the two movements through an extensive literature review, clarity of thought and a systematic approach. Clayton (2018) articulates the similarities and differences between the two movements, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Additionally, he provides evidence to support his argument that Black Lives Matter has been more successful than the Civil Rights Movement (Clayton, 2018). The reason is that he examines the decentralized structure and use of social media, which has influenced the stability and growth of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Weaknesses
One of the article’s weaknesses is that it does not address the context in which these two movements operate. While Clayton does mention the development of technology and social media, he does not provide enough information on the current political and social climate that has enabled the success of the Black Lives Matter movement (McCoy, 2020). Additionally, the article does not detail the specific tactics the civil rights movement employed, which is a crucial factor in understanding the differences between the two groups. The article does not discuss the legal reforms achieved by the civil rights movement or the broader societal changes promoted by the activist group (Mundt et al., 2020). Additionally, the report does not consider the differences between the two movements in terms of race, gender, and class which help distinguish the successes, failures, and overall impact on American society.
Conclusion
Clayton’s overall argument is that the Black Lives Matter movement is more revolutionary than the civil rights movement due to its focus on systemic racism and its use of new technologies to spread its message. He also argues that the civil rights movement focused on achieving legal reforms. At the same time, Black Lives Matter has a broader goal of challenging systemic racism in all aspects of American society. Through this systematic comparison, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of the movement on ending prejudices.
Reference
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. Web.
McCoy, H. (2020). Black lives matter, and yes, you are racist: The parallelism of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 37(5), 463-475. Web.
Mundt, M., Ross, K., & Burnett, C. M. (2018). Scaling social movements through social media: The case of Black lives matter. Social Media and Society, 4(4), 2056305118807911. Web.