The American Civil Rights Movement
Subject of Assignment: The American Civil Rights Movement
1.) Now that you have learned the basics of American civil rights struggle from the beginning
of the nation up to the Black Lives Matter movement, what are some of your thoughts about
the struggles in the United States verses similar struggles in other countries that you know of?
American civil rights movements and Black Lives Matter was and is a big and significant
movements. And I have been thinking about this question for days, and so far, the other
struggles or movements I can think of were the Hongkong riots, Chinese Covid 19 protests
and their lock down in country’s border, city, hospital, and self-quarantines. Also, the Korean
war and the Japanese border invasions, which was a relatively a great struggle to their
nations. I think both USA and south Korea or any other east Asian countries like Vietnam,
Nepal, India and Pakistan (civil war) and Afghanistan suffered a great loss of money, lives,
trusts and relationships between civilians and the leaders. These countries and USA fought
for equality, freedom, human rights, equal institution, fair labor and minimum wage for a
better life and better environments.
2.) Based on the horrible and unfair treatment Blacks and other minorities have endured in
the United States, why do you think that Blacks and other minorities have NOT turned to
actual violence? Do you think this was wise, or not? Why?
Most Blacks and minorities asked for equality, not a revenge nor any violence against public
or the government policy. For decades, Blacks has endured horrible treatments such as
slavery, famine, poverty, segregation, murders, institutional discriminations and racism, etc…
racism in both personal and institutional. And I think an impact of Civil War Movements
leaders like Rosa Parks and her shown of patience and strong will against the Whites and
their segregation on the public bus seats, Martin Luther King jr and his official speech (“I
have a dream”) and his experience and education from peace leader named Ghandi, and the
death of Emmet Till and her mother’s decision to put up her son’s death through open casket
funeral service which exposed to public news. And to this modern day, Black Lives Matter
movement supports more on the nonviolence. Back in the day, I think Blacks and minorities
were prioritized on their family and their defense rather than on the public. And usually put
their demands and messages through a mass peaceful movement against the institution. I
think violence was never the answer to solve the issue and the movements understood the
assignment. It wasn’t right executing the exact same violation what the Whites did to them
over decades but instead being very patient and gradually making the public on their side and
appeal their messages. The exposure of violence to policemen, sheriffs, vigilante groups, and
other defenders of the status quo and law enforcement officials would have caused more riots
and deaths which likely showed a negative implication on the public and the media. And I
think this was and is a very wise movement because I think this is very non-threatening to the
public or the enforcements which would gradually have public on their side and might fix the
issue later on. If Blacks had taken violence as a key during the movements. I think it would
have likely caused a long constant fight which thousands of deaths of Whites and Blacks,
affecting both sides with suffer and loss of their dears, the nation would have either
deteriorated or collapsed unless united with nonviolence and less sacrifices or lives.
3.) What do you feel was the most important ideas/issues we explored this semester?
I think the end of slavery was the most important ideas we discussed during the semester.
After all, it is the root and start of Black’s history in the States. Starting from Black slavery to
end of the slavery, beginning of institutional racism and in personal social racism in public.
Inequality, unfair justice system, segregations, poverty of Blacks, which has ended due to a
sacrifice of the leaders and Blacks who were in the movements. The legislation to end
segregation, Black voter suppression and discriminatory employment and housing practices.
And despite all of these attempts, racism is still continued and I think this topic helped me to
understand more about the racisms and my respects to the African American leaders and
Black civilians who suffered such a tragedy.