Question

Discuss the emergence of the Civil Rights movement within the African American community and trace its key moments after World War II. mention at least one prominent female African American Civil Rights leader within the response.

Book: Born for Liberty by Sara M. Evans

Answer 1

Around 4,000 blacks served in the armed forces prior to World War II. The number had risen to over 1.2 million by the end of the war while the military remained segregated. Black Americans served their country with distinction: they worked as support troops at first, but many became infantrymen, airmen, medics, and even officers as the number of casualties increased. All-black or mostly black units like the 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion, the 761st Tank Battalion and the Tuskegee Airmen fought their way across Europe and earned reputation as courageous, honorable soldiers.

As the whites went to war at home, blacks left behind had previously impossible access to manufacturing jobs. They learned new skills, entered unions and became part of the workforce in industry. From the war Blacks returned to a life of bigotry and injustice. Had just helped destroy some of the most homicidal, racist regimes in human history and yet served in an armed force segregated by race They were victimized by the same kind of racist views that animated the enemies of America. That made zero sense, creating a strong moral imperative for domestic change.

The Civil Rights Movement includes U.S. social movements whose goals were to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, and secure legal recognition and federal protection of the rights of citizenship set out in the Constitution and federal legislation. The most common tactics used in the 1950s and first half of the 1960s were based on the notion of non-violent civil disobedience and included forms of agitation such as boycotts, free rides, drives to register voters, sit-ins, and marches.

From small towns to the national revolution , women were the core of the MCRM. As strategists and activists women played a crucial role. Despite the dangers, they participated including violence, homelessness , unemployment, sexual assault and death. Exploring the MCRM beyond its familiar framework will illustrate the disputes, contradictions and nuances that make it possible to understand the MCRM more clearly. This exploration will rightly recognize the contribution of the many women whose blood, sweat, tears, and dedication contributed to the gaining of civil rights.

Septima Poinsette Clark was a South Carolina educator who developed the Highlander Folk School Citizenship Schools, and later through the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). African Americans were taught and encouraged by schools to learn and harness the power of literacy , education, and civics to gain their civil rights and empower their communities.