Blacks' Attempt To Achieve Equality
The second amendment of the Constitution guarantees the right of American citizens “to bear arms shall not be infringed” by the United States government (2nd Amendment). Robert Williams understood how significant this right was to the protection of Black lives which were targets of racism and violence. He advocated the use of violence as a means of self defense and organized local blacks into a “rifle club with a charter from the National Rifle Association” (60). Skip Curtiss defends this position saying, “any steps that (Williams) had to take in order to prevent his family and his people from being slaughtered like cattle were completely within his rights” (Curtiss). This is certainly true regarding Williams right to own guns, as explained above, but below the surface of Curtiss’ statement, lie many questions regarding the results the threat of violence has produced. Retaliating against racism with violence actually produces effects which are detrimental to the integrationist movement. Whites felt threatened by Williams militaristic statements, which caused them to hold onto their power with a increasingly tighter grip. Non violence has moral superiority to, is more logically sound than and has produced much more favorable results than armed self defense, and is thus a much better method in the struggle to achieve equality.
The most famous advocate of non violence was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In his essay “A Letter From a Birmingham Jail” he articulates the position of non violence. Justified is King in his civil disobedience because certain laws treat people unequally, and are therefore immoral. He demonstrates out of protest of these laws, but knows that by breaking laws he must accept certain penalties. King feels that resorting to violence only equates the abused with the abuser. Thus in the fight for a morally just cause, Blacks must not resort to immoral tactics else they becomes victims of hypocrisy.
The major problem with armed resistance to protect Black’s lives is that it is does not have a means to produce the ends, which is equality. Williams Asserts that “the basic ill is an economic ill, (Blacks are) denied the right to have a decent standard of living” (40). No one can logically disagree with this, but threatening to use violence is not a solution. As Williams found out, his position actually made matters worse.
Throughout history, blacks and whites have had an unfair advantage when it came to wealth and equality. The era in which black people had the biggest disadvantage to whites has to be during the era after the reconstruction, where the tensions were high to the point where crimes were committed in attempts to achieve equality. To begin with, the Jim Crow Laws affected the equality of blacks and whites by separating them from each other. Next, the Southern Black Codes played a huge role in creating
and that people need to overcome the reign of the government to realize their own ethics and morals. King, in accordance, eloquently and passionately contends the injustice presented in the unfair treatment of and the discriminatory attitude towards Blacks. Even though, Thoreau successfully accentuates his main concerns in his argument, his effectiveness in persuasion—appeals, conclusion, and practical application—pales in comparison to that of King’s. In persuasive essays, appeals represent significant
The zoot suit symbolized several different things for the Mexican American population in the Los Angeles community. Not only was it a symbol of pride in their Mexican heritage, but also a form of rebellion from the norms emplaced upon the Mexican teenagers by their parents. These suits were also a symbol of unity, these young men wanted to look different and feel as if they’re culture could be something they could display and be proud of. This whole image was seen by the modern culture of Los Angeles
The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality The Afro-Cuban struggle for equality essentially began after the emancipation of the slaves in 1886. This struggle would continue until 1912, when a brutal government massacre ended their hopes of real equality. The Afro-Cuban struggle for equality was a key issue in Cuba’s fight for independence, as well as, Cuba’s fight to find its identity and character. The first attempt to unite the Afro-Cuban community was the formation of the Directorio Central de
Richard Wright’s novel, Black Boy In Richard Wright’s novel, Black Boy, Richard is struggling to survive in a racist environment in the South. In his youth, Richard is vaguely aware of the differences between blacks and whites. He scarcely notices if a person is black or white, and views all people equally. As Richard grows older, he becomes more and more aware of how whites treat blacks, the social differences between the races, and how he is expected to act when in the presence of white people
At the turn of the twentieth century, sociologist W.E.B. DuBois published "The Souls of Black Folk", a collection of essays revolving around the topic of race and other sociological components relating to African American culture and history. In his three essays "Of the Meaning of Progress", “Of the Wings of Atalanta” and "Of the Training of Black Men", Dubois actively campaigns for racial equality for the black community. He demands equal access to a well-rounded education be granted as it provides
Me is a visceral rumination on race in America. This work emulates James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, as Coates dwells on the realities of black life in America, life teeming with feelings of fear and disembodiment resulting from racism, in the form of a letter addressed to his son,. This work contributes a new perspective to the extensive discussion on black American life; instead of providing an account of racial injustice to emphasize the necessity for revolutionary action, Coates simply expresses
The fight for equality has been fought for many years throughout American History and fought by multiple ethnicities. For African Americans this fight was not only fought to gain equal civil rights but also to allow a change at achieving the American dream. While the United States was faced with the Civil Rights Movements a silent storm brewed and from this storm emerged a social movement that shook the ground of the Civil Right Movement, giving way to a new movement that brought with it new powers
Deprived of social equality and economic prosperity, The Black Panther Party emerged as the leading group seeking public reform. The group’s most prominent and revolutionary leaders, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, proposed a set of demands called “The Black Panther Platform: What We Want, What We Believe”. Structured similarly to the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, this list addressed and proposed solutions to structural obstacles such as education and employment that were built upon
was, and is, meant to be. The American Dream was supposed to be about living an easy, luxurious, and peaceful life; Having democracy, opportunity, and being granted all of their rights. Adding to the fact of having a peaceful life, America wanted equality for all of the races, including: Appalachians, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans. But, has this “dream” really been successful, or even accessible to whom it should be? For African Americans life was not much of a “dream”
The period after the Civil War was a time of great tribulations for African Americans. Despite the fact that the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the 14th Amendment gave all former slaves citizenship and equal rights, black people found themselves left destitute and their rights eroded by hostile whites. Jim Crow laws created an oppressive environment for African Americans, and as a result of the racial disparity, civil rights leaders emerged to the forefront of American history, paving the way
African Americans play in achieving the "rights" outlined in this document by the late 1870s? African Americans had an active participation during the Reconstruction era and worked hard to achieve rights that they deserved. African Americans acquired different roles, both as individuals and in groups to achieve their goals. One very important role of the African Americans was participation in voting during elections. After the 15Th amendment was passed in 1870 voting was not restricted by race. With
that were made during reconstruction were eventually whittled away by Southern legislation. By the 1900s African Americans had almost no access to political, social, or economic power. Shortly after this Jim Crow laws began to emerge, segregating blacks and whites. This dramatic transition from African American power to powerlessness after reconstruction gave birth to two important leaders in the African American community, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Although these two remarkable men
James Earl Ray escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary on April 22, 1967. Ray’s hatred for the black population and support for Nazism fueled his drive to assassinate pacifistic leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. During the civil rights era, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s strong political and religious presence caused him to be a potential target as many denounced his promotion of equality amongst blacks and whites in America. Moreover, with the use of a Remington rifle, Ray shot King from a bathroom
Our Rightful Share: The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality, 1886-1912 Introduction: Within Aline Helg’s book titled, Our Rightful Share: The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality, 1886-1912, she includes many historical events that serve as a foundation for her arguments in order to emphasize the "black struggle for equality" starting in the late 19th century and according to her, still transpiring today. These events are, the formation of the first black independent political party called the, Partido