American History Civil Rights Era Essay

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 1. Describe the impediments to, and reasons for, the development of civil rights from 1877 to 1940. 

Reconstruction had failed, leading to unresolved issues and the entrenchment of racist institutions in the social, economic, and political fabric of American life. After the formal end of Reconstruction in 1877, many impediments to civil rights were in fact legal but also ideological. Due to the lack of formal legal protections for African Americans, civil rights movements remained critical, particularly given the sinister nature of Jim Crow.

2. Discuss some of the major laws and events related to civil rights since 1940. 

World War Two did have a major bearing on civil rights legislation, particularly as it led to the de-segregation of the American armed forces in 1948. The 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v Board of Education was also a major event signaling a shift in civil rights law in America. Then throughout the 1950s, grassroots civil rights movements including those led by Dr. Martin Luther King placed increased pressure on society, leading to a series of meaningful events culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

3. Explain who took the initiative in pushing for these laws and events. 

All Americans passionate about their nation and convinced that racism had no role to play in the American consciousness and identity would have pushed for civil rights laws. A large number of Americans supported civil rights. African Americans were joined by other minority and disenfranchised groups in pushing for equality and civil rights. For example, the civil rights movement coincided with LGBTQ rights movements, women’s rights movements, and movements for the rights of persons with disabilities.

4. What is affirmative action, and do you think it is still needed? 

Affirmative action will remain necessary for some time, for several reasons. Affirmative action refers to the deliberate consideration of race, ethnicity, or another demographic variable, to allow formerly marginalized persons or groups to have access to power. It is impossible for women and people of color to access positions and pathways of power if they do not receive the social support necessary, and that social support comes from the conscious transformation of organizations into more welcoming and diverse entities. Furthermore, affirmative action helps to undo the persistent effects of white privilege and male privilege.

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