The Civil Rights Movement: Racism In The United States

Reconstruction was an ineffective attempt to make the nation content and equal. Racism was a gigantic problem in the 1800’s and still is today, yet in a less significant manner. Because slavery existed and Southerners supported it to such an extent, it became difficult for the Union to create equality for all of America. Even today Americans strongly suggest racism is still a relevant concern. An NBC News poll found 52% of Americans believe racism against black people is an "extremely" or "very" serious problem.

As Brent Staples explains in his essay “Black Men and Public Space,” black people deal with many problems, from discrimination, and he explains these points in an orderly manner and each very thoroughly. Over the existence of the United States, blacks have had to face oppression due to the prejudices views held against this. America views every black person as the same and judges them based on the actions of others. It is for this reason that all blacks are judged based on the book of a cover without being able to show the world who they really are. As Norman Podhoretz stated in his Essay “My Negro Problem - and Ours,” “growing up in terror of black males; they were tougher than we were, more ruthless...”

In light of the sorry history of discrimination and its devastating impact on the lives of Negroes, bringing the Negro into the mainstream of American life should be a state interest of the highest order. To fail to do so is to ensure that America will forever remain a divided society" (“The man who turned racism into history THE LAW’If white supremacy has subsided in the United States, it’s largely due to Thurgood Marshall of the Supreme Court.”, par 10). African Americans were mistreated, viewed as lower class, and were not equal in the eyes of the people or the law. Although the law changed, people were not as quick to the change, so African American were continually mistreated until others stood up for them and put their feet down just like Thurgood Marshall did in order to let African Americans gain equality. Marshall was a strong believer in the law and that things can and would change for the better like how he suggested "The Negro who was once enslaved by law

Moreover, Austin Wilson’s play make us comprehend the severity of the discrimination and racism. On another interview with Patricia Gantt she states: “ Wilson did acknowledge himself to be "a race man," claiming the Black Power Movement of the 1960s as "the kiln in which I was fired," the experience that caused him to see how deeply embedded race and racism are in the culture of the United States (2001,12). He felt that race is the single most important aspect

It represented the difference the point of view between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. This was one of King’s biggest accomplishments in life. He inspired the whole nation and the hopes of black people with his speech, I Have A Dream. He never acted out when it comes to violence. All he ever wished for was for all the races to come together despite the hatred and the violence to stop.

African Americans have systematically been deprived of equal opportunities and fundamental rights in America since the establishment of slavery. Although the Civil Rights Act banned the implementation of segregation and racial inequality over 40 years ago, the overall concept of racial and cultural hierarchy still lingers at the forefront of today’s society. White America’s history of racially oppressing, isolating, and segregating African Americans have led to present-day issues surrounding the political and economic forces that intentionally limits Blacks access to and opportunity from social, economic, educational, and political advancement through the institution of structural racism. Structural racism within America’s governments and

Malcolm X’s assassination was not justified because he was an activist for equality, and a symbol of change; however, many people blame him for causing riots. Even though people blame him for causing and condemning the riots, it is believed that he lead our country through a time filled with chaos and travesty. Malcolm X had one main goal and it was for blacks and whites to be truly and wholeheartedly equal. One way he planned to achieve this was to preach and cause a surge in black pride. He coined the term Black Power in order to improve the black community and help black people realize their true potential and recognize that they were a proud people

Green asks his audience to “remember the past” and “ the brave deeds of (their) fathers.” What Green is not trying to establish is a disdain for the history of African Americans but rather motivation to go fight for a global cause. The past for blacks in America had been riddled by oppressive social standing. What Green wants is for African Americans to build on this harsh past. He wants his audience to look back on the past; he wants them to look at the “Revolution of 1776, and … the War of 1812 (which failed) to bring (them) recognition”; he wants “fugitive-slave laws, Dred Scott decisions, … and dreary months of imprisonment” to not be forgotten by his people; but most of all, he wants his audience to fight for what’s right. Through the war, Green which to set the precedent for an improvement in the social status of African American people.

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. depict a society that was built on the remnants of slavery within “Racism: The Cancer that is Destroying America” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. depict a society that was built on the remnants of slavery. With racism and segregation at the core of everyday life, both men joined the Civil Rights Movement with determination to make a change. Working towards the common goal of African American civil rights during the 1960’s, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X took a stand for civil justice in contrasting ways. Within their writing, both men used the theme of racism to convey a direct tone, used differing keywords and phrases, and referenced religious beliefs. During this time period, racism plagued society and divided a “united” nation.

“Black lives matter” is an organization is an international activist campaign that disapproves of violence towards the African -American community. they also encourage equality among black individuals who are portrayed as outcasts through mainstream media and are a subject of much discrimination by individuals of different classes and races. While I do agree that black lives do matter and this group set is for a good cause. they also have the right to protect the African American community, however, it is imperative to set a good example and not encourage more violence through unethical protests that further cause havoc and further creates a false image of the African-American community. While I also Agree with Heather MacDonald’s article, which informs about the potential dangers of