The Civil Rights Movement in the United States

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The Civil Rights movement in the United States was a perfect example of Margaret Meade’s statement, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”. Small groups of people formed organizations which created movements, which spread the message of equality for all. This message was spread across the nation all because a few people started to take a stand. Activists spread their messages in different ways and their desperation for change increased as time went on. Non violent protests were sufficient for most at first, but soon people craved a change and began to take measures into their own hands. Each protest, movement, and action influenced the fight for equality, as did each individual who fought for their rights. During the civil rights movement African American students as well as other people regardless of age, race, or gender came together to effect a much needed change in segregation throughout the South.
A group of nine children, called the Little Rock Nine, were the first African American children in the country to attend an all white school. Their actions enraged many southern whites and also brought the spotlight back to the issues of inequality and segregation. It was not just the Little Rock Nine who helped effect this change, it was also people like Barbara Henry who helped make a difference, “Mrs. Henry took us into a classroom and said to have a seat. When I looked around, the room was empty. There were rows of desks, but no children. I thought we were too early, but Mrs. Henry said we were right on time. My mother sat down at the back of the room. I took a seat up front, and Mrs. Henry began to teach” (Ruby Bridges PBS). These nine c...

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...ich led to nation wide change. These Civil Rights Activists caused President Kennedy to show his support for the Civil Rights movement by bringing the problems of inequality and segregation to the nations attention. A president generally has to fight for what the majority of the nation wants. These activists made it so the majority of the country wanted civil rights for all.

Works Cited

Bridges, Ruby. "Through My Eyes." PBS. PBS. Web. 21 May 2014. .

PBS. PBS. Web. 21 May 2014. .

"Hoover and the F.B.I." PBS. PBS, 2002. Web. 20 May 2014. .

"NAACP History: Medgar Evers." NAACP. NAACP, n.d. Web. 20 May 2014. .

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