Alice Walker

843 Words2 Pages

Before the Civil Rights Movement, which took place from 1955-1968, African-Americans had a difficult time establishing an identity and their rights. However, for many African-Americans, the Civil Rights Movement developed a purpose for one’s life and progressed African-Americans’ status and rights in society. Although some people may argue that the Civil Rights Movement was not productive and only caused conflict and havoc, due to the majority of African-Americans still employed in low-level jobs and many towns affected by the Civil Rights Movement being torn apart and degraded, those effects were only temporary and tangible to others. The Movement had a much more profound effect of giving one a purpose or “spark” in life, which later led to African-Americans demanding more rights and equal status in society. For many African-Americans, the Civil Rights Movement created a purpose for one’s life. For example, in The Civil Rights Movement: What Good Was it, Alice Walker states the Movement made her “alive”. In other words, Walker is expressing that the Civil Rights Movement gave her a purpose in life. One that doesn’t make her feel hopeless. One that makes her want to live. One that makes her want to work the hardest she ever has and be something, not just a “shadow or a number” (Walker 125). In Walker’s essay, she states that as a child and growing up in one’s parent’s care, one yearns for the magical “spark” that provides meaning and purpose to one’s life. For many teenagers today, this is still true. Many teenagers go through high school working to receive good grades and trying their best to be accepted into a prestigious college to earn a solid, hopefully high paying job. However, going through that process, especially towar... ... middle of paper ... ... Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination in employment practices and public accommodations. For many, from being a child until turning around 21-24, people just follow the norm and don’t really have a focus or drive in life, just the normal expectations. However, once one experiences the magic “spark” or epiphany, one can progress through life with determination and most likely become very close to achieving his/her goal. In the case of Alice Walker, the magic “spark” was the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with this she fought harder than ever for her life and to be herself, not just a mere shadow or number. Such sparks or epiphanies effects are apparent today, President Obama, first black US President in history, achieved his position by his drive, which most likely was sparked by something in his childhood or early twenties.

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