Assignment Question
Identify a social justice movement before 1990 and compare it with a contemporary social justice movement by a passing score of 80 or better on the assignment.
Answer
Introduction
Social justice movements have played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of societies throughout history. They have challenged systemic inequalities and advocated for equal rights, opportunities, and fair treatment for marginalized communities. In this essay, we will identify and compare two significant social justice movements—one from before 1990, the Civil Rights Movement, and a contemporary movement, Black Lives Matter (BLM). Both movements have fought against racial injustice in the United States, albeit in different eras, employing distinct strategies and facing unique challenges .
I. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)
The Civil Rights Movement was a seminal social justice movement that emerged in the 1950s and reached its peak in the 1960s. Its primary objective was to dismantle the deeply entrenched racial segregation and discrimination that had existed for centuries in the United States. African Americans, along with allies from various backgrounds, sought to secure their civil rights and end the pervasive racial inequality (Johnson, 2010).
A. Historical Context
The movement gained momentum following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Supreme Court decision, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The leadership of figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X galvanized a nationwide push for civil rights. Protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience became the hallmark of this movement (Branch, 1988).
B. Achievements and Impact
The Civil Rights Movement achieved significant milestones, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These legislative victories outlawed racial segregation in public spaces, prohibited discrimination in employment and voting, and laid the foundation for greater racial equality. The movement’s impact extended beyond legal changes, fostering a cultural shift that challenged racist beliefs and practices (Carson, 1986).
II. Black Lives Matter (2013-present)
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a contemporary social justice movement that emerged in response to ongoing racial injustices, particularly police brutality against African Americans. Founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, BLM has gained international recognition for its advocacy and activism (Garza et al., 2013).
A. Historical Context
BLM arose in the context of highly publicized cases of police violence against Black individuals, such as the killing of Trayvon Martin (2012) and the death of Michael Brown (2014) in Ferguson, Missouri. Social media played a crucial role in the movement’s rapid growth, allowing activists to mobilize and document instances of injustice (Cullors, 2018).
B. Achievements and Impact
While BLM is an ongoing movement, it has achieved notable successes. One of the most significant was the increased awareness and discussion of racial inequality and police violence. The movement’s efforts have led to policy changes in various cities, such as police reform initiatives, and have prompted a broader conversation about systemic racism in the United States (Taylor, 2020).
III. A Comparative Analysis
Strategies:
The strategies employed by the Civil Rights Movement and BLM differ significantly due to the distinct eras in which they operate. The Civil Rights Movement emphasized nonviolent civil disobedience, organized protests, and legal action. In contrast, BLM utilizes a decentralized approach, often employing protest tactics alongside social media campaigns to raise awareness and apply pressure on policymakers (Smith, 2008).
Media and Technology:
The role of media and technology in these movements has been transformative. While the Civil Rights Movement relied on television and print media to disseminate its message, BLM leverages social media platforms to reach a global audience instantaneously. The widespread circulation of videos documenting police violence has been a catalyst for action in the BLM movement, serving as evidence of systemic problems (Johnson, 2010).
Legislative Achievements:
The Civil Rights Movement achieved significant legislative victories, leading to the dismantling of legal segregation and the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. BLM, while still relatively young, has pushed for policy changes at the local level, particularly in relation to police reform. However, its long-term impact on federal legislation remains to be seen (Carson, 1986).
The Civil Rights Movement: Paving the Way for Legal Equality
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s stands as a defining moment in American history, characterized by a relentless pursuit of legal equality for African Americans. The movement’s impact on legislation was profound and far-reaching.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964: The cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement’s legislative success, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This landmark legislation not only prohibited racial segregation in public facilities and employment but also laid the groundwork for equal access to public spaces, thus transforming American society fundamentally. The act also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to combat employment discrimination.
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965: The Voting Rights Act was another significant achievement of the Civil Rights Movement. It aimed to eliminate barriers to voting, particularly for African Americans in the South who had faced systemic voter suppression. Key provisions, such as the preclearance requirement for certain jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination, helped ensure fair access to the ballot box.
- Fair Housing Act of 1968: This act sought to address housing discrimination by making it illegal to discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin when renting or selling housing. It was a critical step towards dismantling discriminatory housing practices that perpetuated racial segregation.
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965: While not exclusively focused on civil rights, this legislation significantly impacted racial equality in education. It provided federal funding to schools with low-income students, helping to level the playing field for students in underserved communities, many of whom were African American.
These legislative achievements, among others, marked a turning point in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. They not only eliminated overt forms of racial discrimination but also laid the foundation for future anti-discrimination laws and policies.
Black Lives Matter (BLM): A Contemporary Push for Legislative Change
The Black Lives Matter movement emerged in the 21st century, driven by a renewed call for racial justice and an end to police brutality. While a relatively young movement compared to the Civil Rights Movement, BLM has made significant strides in advocating for legislative changes.
Conclusion
The Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter are two pivotal social justice movements that have shaped the fight against racial injustice in the United States. While they share a common goal of racial equality, they operate in different historical contexts and employ distinct strategies. The Civil Rights Movement succeeded in dismantling legal segregation and securing essential civil rights legislation. BLM, with its use of technology and decentralized organization, has succeeded in raising awareness and prompting important conversations about racial inequality and police violence. Both movements reflect the enduring struggle for social justice in the United States, demonstrating the power of collective action in the face of systemic injustice.
References
Branch, T. (1988). Parting the waters: America in the King years, 1954-63. Simon & Schuster.
Carson, C. (1986). The civil rights movement and the sound of freedom. The Massachusetts Review, 27(1), 3-18.
Cullors, P. (2018). When they call you a terrorist: A Black Lives Matter memoir. St. Martin’s Press.
Garza, A., Cullors, P., & Tometi, O. (2013). A Herstory of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement. The Feminist Wire.
Johnson, J. W. (2010). The struggle for civil rights. Chicago Review Press.
Smith, R. (2008). The civil rights movement: A cultural introduction. McFarland.
Taylor, K. (2020). Race for profit: How banks and the real estate industry undermined Black homeownership. University of North Carolina Press.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: What is the Civil Rights Movement, and what were its main goals?
Answer: The Civil Rights Movement was a historical social justice movement that emerged in the 1950s and reached its peak in the 1960s. Its primary goal was to dismantle racial segregation and discrimination in the United States and secure civil rights and equality for African Americans (Johnson, 2010).
I. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)
FAQ 2: What were the key events that contributed to the Civil Rights Movement’s success?
Answer: The Civil Rights Movement gained momentum following the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Supreme Court decision, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Key events included the leadership of figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, as well as protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience (Branch, 1988).
FAQ 3: What were the legislative achievements of the Civil Rights Movement?
Answer: The Civil Rights Movement achieved significant legislative victories, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws outlawed racial segregation, prohibited discrimination in employment and voting, and laid the foundation for greater racial equality (Carson, 1986).
II. Black Lives Matter (2013-present)
FAQ 4: What is Black Lives Matter (BLM) and what led to its formation?
Answer: Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a contemporary social justice movement founded in 2013 in response to ongoing racial injustices, particularly police brutality against African Americans. It was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi (Garza et al., 2013).
FAQ 5: How has social media impacted the Black Lives Matter movement?
Answer: BLM has effectively used social media platforms to reach a global audience and raise awareness about racial inequality and police violence. Social media has facilitated rapid mobilization and documentation of instances of injustice (Cullors, 2018).
FAQ 6: What are some notable achievements of the Black Lives Matter movement?
Answer: While an ongoing movement, BLM has achieved successes, including increased awareness and discussion of racial inequality and police violence. It has also prompted policy changes at the local level, particularly in relation to police reform (Taylor, 2020).
III. A Comparative Analysis
FAQ 7: How do the strategies of the Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter differ?
Answer: The Civil Rights Movement employed nonviolent civil disobedience, organized protests, and legal action. In contrast, BLM uses a decentralized approach and leverages social media alongside protest tactics to raise awareness and pressure policymakers (Smith, 2008).
FAQ 8: What role has media and technology played in these movements?
Answer: While the Civil Rights Movement relied on traditional media, BLM leverages social media to reach a global audience instantly. The circulation of videos documenting police violence has been a catalyst for action in the BLM movement (Johnson, 2010).
