Introduction
Freedom is one of the fundamental human rights that the State must protect. Throughout historical development, this concept has changed in people’s perceptions. The civil rights movement in the United States of America has placed particular importance on changing people’s understanding of freedom. The civil rights movement significantly expanded the concept of freedom through tactics that changed from nonviolent to more severe; nevertheless, they significantly impacted the fight for African Americans’ social, economic, political, and educational freedom.
New Perspectives on Freedom and the Civil Rights Movement
The civil rights movement was a significant breakthrough toward establishing equality and strengthening the rights of the African American population of the United States. This is because it provided a substantial number of concerns to these groups of the population, one of which was American citizenship, which became especially critical for these people. The main achievement of the civil freedom movement was the repeal of Jim Crow laws that were aimed at encouraging segregation and discrimination against colored people of color with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Research stated that “the civil rights struggle and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also served as blueprints and inspiration for many other groups of Americans seeking equality and access” (The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom). Thus, this movement for individuals’ rights and freedoms has significantly changed their attitudes and representations of freedom. The main transformations occurred due to expanding political, social, and economic opportunities.
Civil Rights Activists’ Strategies to Challenge Government and Society
It is worth paying attention to the tactics adopted by Civil Rights activists in the 1940s and 1950s, since they significantly attracted the public and the State to the problem. In the 1940s and 1950s, methods of opposing state laws, such as boycotts, marches, and protests, were used. The main distinguishing characteristic of these Protestant actions was the nonviolent nature of their confrontation. In this case, there was a desire to solve the problem in a civilized manner and as calmly as possible while paying attention and spreading awareness as widely as possible. In addition, civil rights activists believed that only in this way could they achieve their primary goal, the fight against racism and discrimination.
Evolution of Civil Rights Tactics from the 1940s to the 1950s
Despite the intentions of civil rights activists to carry out only nonviolent actions, their tactics have changed over time. Hence, their methods and approaches to communicating the main idea to the public and the government have become more severe and radical. Subsequently, more armed resistance began to appear as a response to violence and opposition toward African Americans. Among the most prominent representatives of this vision, the Black Panther Party can be singled out.
The black population founded this organization during the struggle for civil rights and pursued several goals. The main ones were “confronting politicians, challenging the police, and protecting black citizens from brutality, as well as providing community service programs – called “survival programs” – that provided food, clothing, and transportation” (The Black Panther Party). This dynamic shows that the tactics of civil rights activists have undergone significant changes, moving from nonviolent to violent in response to the activities of the government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the civil rights movement in the US has significantly contributed to the history of development not only for the entire country but especially for the African-American community. Activists fought against Jim Crow laws that worsened the lives of this population group with discrimination and racism. The civil rights movement began with nonviolent actions, which flowed into more serious ones due to strong opposition and pressure. In this way, the movement achieved freedom for the colored population and expanded their understanding of freedom.
Works Cited
“The Black Panther Party.” NMAAHC, no date. Web.
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom.” Library of Congress, no date. Web.