How Civil Rights Movement Changed the American Nation
The struggle for the minority Blacks to gain equal rights as their White counterparts is what majorly formed a freedom movement in the USA in 1960s. The crusade encompassed both expedient local groups and the formally existing organizations whose mandate was to protect the interests of specific groups of individuals who felt they had been discriminated against (Levy, 2019). Strikingly, the factions that formed the movement were not united around a common strategy or any political tactic (Lepore, 2018). Nonetheless, the caucus drew members from different classes and backgrounds that cohered around the objective of eliminating the segregationist policies (Levy, 2019). The Civil Rights Movement is important in discussing American history because it effectively changed the nation with its impacts on the minorities which are evident in these people across the continent.
Of many changes that can be attributed to the Civil Rights Movement, the most conspicuous one to the US, is the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Enactment of the law was a milestone for the struggle against racism as then, additional powers were offered to the movement to ensure the realization of a more just and inclusive American society (Lepore, 2018). To enforce the 1964 legislation, further protests followed from the group which culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Levy, 2019). In essence, the struggle changed American society in a way that every citizen regardless of his background because conscious of fundamental rights.
Effect of the Civil Rights Acts on the Minority Groups Across the Continent
Across the continent, the passage of the Civil Rights Acts would have a greater impact on the minorities and marginalized groups. The two legislations would embolden the racially discriminated individuals to assert their rights (Tourse et al., 2018). More specifically, the acts would end segregation in public places as well as prohibit any form of discrimination based on race, gender, culture, tribe, or social status. In fact, the laws would lead to greater social and economic mobility for the minority groups across the continent that may have been hindered by racial discrimination (Tourse et al., 2018). This would result to greater access to resources by minorities. Therefore, the marginalized people across the continent would benefit more with their struggles being enshrined within the constitution.
Additionally, the passage of the Civil Rights Acts would pave way for other civil rights legislation, thereby complementing existence of the minorities’ rights in the constitution. Laws that remove barriers to participation in political processes such as voting would be pegged on the Civil Rights Acts. Again, the marginalized groups would be protected from discrimination when one wishes to buy, rent, or lease a property. Another example of a law that would result from the Civil Rights Acts would be a law to guarantee protection for those with various forms of disabilities. Evidently, the legislations that resulted from the Civil Rights Movement would give a reprieve through social justice to those who have been discriminated against.
Why the Tactics and Strategies Used By the Civil Rights Activists Would Not Apply Today
In the current world, the strategies and tactics that were used by the civil rights activists in the 1960s would not apply anymore in solving ethnic and racial conflicts. Such tactics as civil disobedience, boycotts, and sit-ins always threaten to undermine the respect for law and create anarchy. With lawlessness, the existing conflicts between the respective races or tribes are exacerbated and this may ignite ethnic tension or civil war (Tourse et al., 2018). In the end, no one benefits from the anarchy and the perceived or real misunderstanding may not have been resolved. In simple terms, this argument discredits civil disobedience and boycotts as measures to peaceful resolution of conflicts between races or tribes.
Moreover, human societies have progressed from class societies to republics or democratic governments that are governed by respect for the rule of law. It means that there exist various mechanisms which are stipulated within the laws of individual nations to help in resolving any form of conflict (Tourse et al., 2018). Notably, judiciary and legislature are enshrined within the constitutions of each and every country to help in interpreting and enacting laws. Without any doubt, the procedures of conflict resolution and peace building are therefore clearly specified within the law.
How the Ideas of 1960s Have Relevance Today
Ideas of the American Civil Rights Movement are still relevant today. Unaddressed racism is the problem that the American society is still battling with till now. Racial discrimination has its roots on the slavery that existed long ago in the US (Tourse et al., 2018). In reality, the most hateful remnants of slavery persist in the current American society in form of integral racism that baked into nearly every facet of the US as a nation. More vividly, the reality of history has been exemplified by the recent killings of Freddy Gray and Michael Brown to the innumerable acts of discrimination against African-Americans (Levy, 2019). In simple terms, racism still exists not only in the US but also in different parts of the world where minority groups of races exist.
The fight for social justice and equality is also still relevant to the present society. Just as Martin Luther King Jr was passionate about advocating for social rights for African-Americans, his efforts are attributed to the current struggle against any form of oppression (Luther, 1963). Indeed many workers continue to use the strategies such as the non-violence tactics such as sit-ins as ways to seek for improved working conditions (Lepore, 2018). Furthermore, civil disobedience has been used by some protesters against their government in various parts of the world. Undeniably, the ideas from the Civil Rights Movement continue to impact the current generation in various ways.
How Civil Rights Movement Would Impact Diversity in America Today
Analytically, the Civil Rights Movement would impact diversity in America today in both negative and positive ways. From a positive dimension, the struggle would unify the Hispanics, African-Americans, Asians, Alaska natives, and the other Pacific islanders as well as other Whites who may have faced discrimination and oppression of any form. This unity of purpose is important, especially in American society which is characterized by racial prejudice (Luther, 1963). The unity in itself would also be an advantage to the minority groups because it would gain the support of the international community in prevailing upon the government to give equal rights. Certainly, the unity of the minority groups can be built upon to create a cohesive and just American society.
On the other hand, the Civil Rights Movement would create disharmony between the Whites and the other minority non-Whites. The conflict may arise between the two groups because either of the groupings may deem each other as an enemy (Tourse et al., 2018). For instance, the marginalized minorities would direct their hatred towards the Whites hence fuelling tension. With the whites, they would view the minority groups as perpetrators of violence, and with that kind of mistrust, it would be possible for an outbreak of another civil war. Accordingly, the struggle for equality between the races should be carefully treated by the government to ensure it does not end in civil strife.
References
Lepore, J. (2018). These truths: A history of the United States. WW Norton & Company.
Levy, P. (2019). The civil rights movement: A reference guide (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO.
Luther, M.J. (1963). I Have a Dream [Speech audio recording]. American Rhetoric. Web.
Tourse, R., Hamilton-Mason, J., & Wewiorski, N. (2018). Systemic racism in the United States. Springer International Publishers.