The Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was the beginning of America’s modern journey towards equality. This movement opened doors and gave a voice, for those that suffered from segregation and prejudice, including African Americans, Women, Native Americans, Latinos, other people of color, and all of those denied their right to strive for the American dream. Great historical figures like Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, César Chavez who co-founded the United Farm Workers, Gloria Steinman and Betty Freidan who helped define modern feminism, and Harvey Milk who fought to extend full civil rights to gay Americans. This movement inspired those that were never represented in history textbooks, to explore their history and call for a change; this allowed all students to learn from great historical figures, regardless of race or ethnicity. The civil rights movement has allowed society to take a hard look at injustice and continue the goal of striving towards equality.   Today that fight for equality continues.

 Many groups seek equality based on socioeconomic status now that ethnically diverse classrooms are widely accepted. This is not to say there are not cries for justice based on race, but it is the differences in socioeconomic status that  have created a much larger need for equality today. In the 1980’s a change in policy relaxed the school integration laws, as a result America regressed to a neighborhood school, separating students by class, (Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society, pg. 50). Poorer neighborhoods have a higher population of minority groups; the numbers range from 59% to 89%, as of 2003, (www.asap-spssi.org , Topolski) and they do not benefit from quality, or hefty resources.

According to the 2006 census report, single women caring for children make up almost 30% of America’s poor. Women still strive for equal pay to that of a male’s in the same profession. It is because of the Civil Rights movement that these issues have been brought to light, as well as paving a way for those that are disabled. One example of a positive move forward, is the Rehabilitation Act, passed in the early 1970’s.

America’s strive for equality is a continuing fight, but it is the Civil Rights Movement that has opened a door to these issues and forced our society to take action in a positive direction.