Traditions_ and Phases of the Civil Rights Movement

Introduction

• Freedom is central to America's national identity.

• The phrase "land of the free and home of the brave" is a key part of American culture.

• Freedom is an evolving and contested idea that comes from struggle and sacrifice.

• African Americans have only enjoyed full legal citizenship rights for the last 41 years of U.S. history.

• American history includes the struggle of marginalized groups for inclusion and rights.

The Civil Rights Movement (CRM)

Key Events

• December 1, 1955: Rosa Parks' arrest sparks a national movement, igniting the CRM.

• Parks refused to give up her bus seat, leading to a year-long boycott of segregated public transport.

Political Traditions Influencing the CRM

• The CRM is influenced by various traditions of resistance against racial oppression.

• David Levering Lewis identifies four key ideological traditions:

  • Denmark Vesey/Nat Turner Tradition: Armed insurrection by a militant elite to incite social change.

  • Booker T. Washington's Tradition: Advocacy for economic advancement and acceptance of social separation.

  • Delany-Garvey Tradition: Promoted Black migration to Africa or the formation of a separate Black state in the U.S.

  • Frederick Douglass/W.E.B. Du Bois Tradition: Political activism against segregation; initially supported by a small elite but later integrated broader community concerns.

Addition of a Fifth Tradition

• Black Christian Tradition: Encompasses the role of the Black church as a center of political activism and community organization, emphasizing survival and struggle against racism.

• The church was pivotal in offering a space for civil rights leaders to organize and mobilize.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Perspective

• Martin Luther King Jr. integrated ideas from these traditions, balancing activism with elements of accommodation.

• His recognition of Du Bois's later emphasis on social justice revealed the evolution of his understanding of civil rights.

• King's leadership style was also influenced by global events and anti-colonial struggles, particularly Gandhi's nonviolent resistance philosophy.

Gandhi's Influence on King

• For King, Gandhi provided a practical method for social justice aligned with Christian principles.

• Gandhi's experience of advocacy in South Africa shaped King’s understanding of nonviolence and communal justice.

• King’s education and exposure to discussions about global movements solidified his commitment to nonviolence.

King's Journey to Harvard

• King’s visits to India deepened his understanding of communal struggles against injustice.

• His engagements with Indian leaders, especially regarding affirmative action, informed his views on reparations for African Americans.

Phases of the Civil Rights Movement

First Phase (1955-1965)

• Focused on key milestones such as:

  • Montgomery Bus Boycott

  • Brown v. Board of Education decision (1954)

  • Civil Rights Act (1964)

  • Voting Rights Act (1965)

• Achievements included legal desegregation and increased political participation.

Second Phase (1965-1968)

• Shifted towards addressing economic inequalities and systemic racism.

• King expressed concerns that civil rights alone were insufficient to resolve poverty and economic disparities faced by Black Americans.

• Launched movements like the Chicago Freedom Movement to tackle racism in housing and employment.

Economic Justice and King’s Final Years

• King advocated for a "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged" and highlighted the disparity between White and Black incomes.

• His critiques extended to the Vietnam War, arguing it detracted resources from the anti-poverty efforts.

• King’s commitment to nonviolence remained steadfast, even as he sought comprehensive solutions to systemic issues.

Legacy and Impact

• King's assassination on April 4, 1968, marked a tragic loss for civil rights activism.

• His life's work emphasized that the struggle for freedom must include economic and social justice for all.

• King maintained a vision of the "Beloved Community," stressing collective responsibility and mutual support across racial divides.

• His message remains relevant, advocating for equity and justice in today's global context.

Introduction

• Freedom is very important to what it means to be American.

• People often say we live in the "land of the free and home of the brave."

• Freedom is something we keep working on, and it comes from hard work and sacrifice.

• African Americans have only had full rights as citizens for the last 41 years.

• Throughout American history, many groups have fought for their rights and to be included.

The Civil Rights Movement (CRM)

Key Events

• On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. This sparked a big movement called the Civil Rights Movement.

• Parks’ brave choice started a year-long boycott (which means not using something) of buses that were for only white people, leading many to stand up for their rights.

Political Traditions Influencing the CRM

• The CRM was shaped by different ideas and ways of fighting against unfair treatment. Here are four key traditions:

  1. Denmark Vesey/Nat Turner Tradition: This involved people fighting back with force.

  2. Booker T. Washington's Tradition: This focused on finding work and being respected while living separately from white people.

  3. Delany-Garvey Tradition: This was about creating a separate Black community or going back to Africa.

  4. Frederick Douglass/W.E.B. Du Bois Tradition: This aimed for everyone to work together against unfairness and segregation.

A New Tradition

• Black Christian Tradition: The church played a big role in helping communities fight for their rights, bringing people together and supporting each other during difficult times.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Perspective

• Martin Luther King Jr. took ideas from these different traditions to help people fight thoughtfully while also seeking respect and listening to each other.

• He learned that justice is important for everyone, not just a few people, and he was inspired by peaceful protests around the world, especially those led by Gandhi.

Gandhi's Influence on King

• Gandhi showed King that there is a strong way to fight for justice through peaceful methods.

• Knowing about Gandhi's experiences helped King see how important it is to stay peaceful while fighting for what is right.

King's Journey to Harvard

• When King visited India, he learned much more about working together against unfair treatment.

• These visits helped him think about reparation, which means making things right for African Americans after many years of unfairness.

Phases of the Civil Rights Movement

First Phase (1955-1965)

• This time focused on major events like:

  • The Montgomery Bus Boycott

  • The Brown v. Board of Education decision (which ended school segregation)

  • The Civil Rights Act (1964) and The Voting Rights Act (1965)

• Achievements included making schools open for everyone and enabling more people to vote.

Second Phase (1965-1968)

• This phase shifted to fighting against unfair money and job situations.

• King believed just having civil rights wasn’t enough to help everyone, and he started movements to tackle problems in housing and jobs.

Economic Justice and King’s Final Years

• King wanted a "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged," which means a promise to help people who are struggling.

• He spoke against the Vietnam War because he felt it took money away from helping people in poverty.

Legacy and Impact

• King's assassination on April 4, 1968, was a sad time for people fighting for civil rights.

• His work showed that we need to fight for fairness in every way, including social and economic help for all.

• He dreamed of a "Beloved Community," where everyone helps and cares for each other, no matter their race.

• Today, his message is still important, encouraging us to work for fairness and justice around the world.