How successful was the action to ensuring successful equality
What were the inequalities that these people had experienced?
When President John F. Kennedy called on Congress in June 1963 to pass what would eventually become the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he rattled off a string of statistics intended to highlight the nation's continuing racial divide a century after the Emancipation Proclamation.
African Americans born that year, Kennedy said, had "About one-half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is seven years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much."
African-Americans were mistreated for much too long. Even after slavery was abolished, and the Emancipation Proclamation had been passed, prejudice amongst African-Americans was still a very prevalent prospect in society. For years, the United States had the Jim Crow laws which prohibited the integration of blacks with whites. These laws started sometime in the 1880s and lasted well into the twentieth century. African-Americans were often attacked and in danger simply because of the colour of their skin. The Jim Crow laws prohibited African-Americans from attending the same schools as whites, using the same bathrooms and riding on the same trains among many other things. In Florida, even juvenile delinquents were separated based on their colour, and in Georgia, mental hospitals were segregated, as well. In Georgia, along with many other states in America, it was considered a crime for a white person to marry any other race except for their own. Jim Crow laws stated, “Any marriage in violation of this section shall be void”. The laws separating whites and blacks were a predominant aspect in society during the 18th to 19th centuries.
What action was taken to try and change these inequalities?
African Americans were tired of being viewed as lesser citizens than Caucasian- Americans. They wanted their civil rights. In the 1950s, African-Americans started speaking up and standing up for what they believed in. Many important historical figures and leaders rose during this time including: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcom X. However, it was not only African-American adults who were tired of being mistreated and belittled. Many African-American children and teenagers stood together during this time period, as well. Young African-Americans also noticed they were not being treated equally. While many white children were benefiting from the economy rising due to the end of World War II, the majority of black children were living in poverty. It was not uncommon for a white American teenager to be receiving an allowance at this time. It was also not uncommon for a black teenager to be put down and even in danger because of the colour of their skin. Ben Chaney, a young African-American boy at the time from Mississippi, recalls not being able to play with his white neighbours anymore once he turned ten. He recalls,
“Their parents came straight out and told me they didn’t want me playing with their kids no more. Their mama told them they were better than I was, and told me I couldn’t associate with her son, and I had to call him ‘Mister.’ And the kids themselves adopted that attitude” (Levine, 1993).
As a young child, imagine not being able to play with your neighbour anymore just because you aren’t the same colour as him or her. The corrupted mindset of the older white generation infected the younger, destroying the chance of equality and justice.
The actions carried out by the African Americans to achieve equality was very successful, as its influential power led to the release of Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968. The act of 1964 gave voting rights whereas the act of 1968 gave housing rights.
When President John F. Kennedy called on Congress in June 1963 to pass what would eventually become the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he rattled off a string of statistics intended to highlight the nation's continuing racial divide a century after the Emancipation Proclamation.
African Americans born that year, Kennedy said, had "About one-half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is seven years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much."
African-Americans were mistreated for much too long. Even after slavery was abolished, and the Emancipation Proclamation had been passed, prejudice amongst African-Americans was still a very prevalent prospect in society. For years, the United States had the Jim Crow laws which prohibited the integration of blacks with whites. These laws started sometime in the 1880s and lasted well into the twentieth century. African-Americans were often attacked and in danger simply because of the colour of their skin. The Jim Crow laws prohibited African-Americans from attending the same schools as whites, using the same bathrooms and riding on the same trains among many other things. In Florida, even juvenile delinquents were separated based on their colour, and in Georgia, mental hospitals were segregated, as well. In Georgia, along with many other states in America, it was considered a crime for a white person to marry any other race except for their own. Jim Crow laws stated, “Any marriage in violation of this section shall be void”. The laws separating whites and blacks were a predominant aspect in society during the 18th to 19th centuries.
What action was taken to try and change these inequalities?
African Americans were tired of being viewed as lesser citizens than Caucasian- Americans. They wanted their civil rights. In the 1950s, African-Americans started speaking up and standing up for what they believed in. Many important historical figures and leaders rose during this time including: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcom X. However, it was not only African-American adults who were tired of being mistreated and belittled. Many African-American children and teenagers stood together during this time period, as well. Young African-Americans also noticed they were not being treated equally. While many white children were benefiting from the economy rising due to the end of World War II, the majority of black children were living in poverty. It was not uncommon for a white American teenager to be receiving an allowance at this time. It was also not uncommon for a black teenager to be put down and even in danger because of the colour of their skin. Ben Chaney, a young African-American boy at the time from Mississippi, recalls not being able to play with his white neighbours anymore once he turned ten. He recalls,
“Their parents came straight out and told me they didn’t want me playing with their kids no more. Their mama told them they were better than I was, and told me I couldn’t associate with her son, and I had to call him ‘Mister.’ And the kids themselves adopted that attitude” (Levine, 1993).
As a young child, imagine not being able to play with your neighbour anymore just because you aren’t the same colour as him or her. The corrupted mindset of the older white generation infected the younger, destroying the chance of equality and justice.
The actions carried out by the African Americans to achieve equality was very successful, as its influential power led to the release of Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968. The act of 1964 gave voting rights whereas the act of 1968 gave housing rights.