The civil right movement

1. To end all kinds of discrimination. The main objective of the movement was to end all kinds of discrimination and segregation of people of African origin in America. The people of African origin had been subjected to political, social and economic forms of discrimination and segregation.

2. Create an ideal American society. Create an ideal American society by enforcing the implementation of the American constitution to grant people of African origin the same human rights as accorded to the white people.

3. Equal employment opportunities. To enforce the government to grant equal employment opportunities to people of African origin were denied employment especially on federal projects and departments.

4. Right to vote. To enforce the government to grant people of African origin the right to vote and to be voted for. This was one of the major objectives of the civil rights movement because the people of African origin had been segregated from affairs of their country.

5. Developing unity and solidarity. The movement aimed at developing unity and solidarity of all the people of African origin in America. The movement wanted to sensitize people of African origin to identify their position in the society and their vision and direction.

6. Basic needs The movement also wanted to ensure that the people of African origin are given their basic needs. They summarized their demands in the final point, "we need land, bread, housing and education" the Black Panther Party suggested that if businesses and the government did not provide for full employment, the community should take over the means of production.

7. Stamp out slavery. The movement wanted to stamp out slavery and improve the working conditions of people of African origin. After the civil war, slavery was abolished but people of African origin were still working in conditions that were not different from those of slavery.

There were many long-term causes of the Civil Rights Movement; they date back to the 19th century. However, the immediate cause of the movement was the mistreatment of two high-level students in Montgomery, Alabama. On 1st December 1955, two African American women, Claudette Colvin and Rosa Park, refused to give their seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

• Thereafter, they were arrested, something that culminated in riots and demonstrations. This action led to the bankruptcy of some bus companies because most of the passengers were African Americans.
• Another cause was the coming to power of President John F. Kennedy. When he was a presidential candidate for the Democratic Party for the 1960 presidential elections, Kennedy promised he would exercise moral leadership in restoring civil rights to African American citizens. As a result, African Americans overwhelmingly voted for him.
• As president, he promoted employment for African Americans in federal-supported programmes and established an equal employment opportunity committee that was expected to look into this issue. He promoted African American affairs, but he was assassinated in November 1963.

1. The civil rights movement registered great success in fighting for the rights of black people in the United States of America. It marked a turning point in the economic, political and social well being of the black people.
2. The people of African origin or black people were given the right to vote and to be voted for political positions in the United States. For example, they should be governors of the state, mayors of cities, congress representatives, ambassadors and military commanders and presidents. The USA government recognized that positive actions were needed to improve the opportunities of the black people in the United States. The government decided that public and private institutions that employed black people should be considered in terms of tax concession.
3. The black people are also entitled to welfare benefits as much as the whites. These benefits included unemployment benefits, housing subsidies state scholarships.

The Civil Rights Movement achieved significant milestones in advancing equality and civil rights for African Americans. However, it encountered numerous challenges that hindered its progress. Some of the major obstacles included:

1. Assassination of Key Leaders

   • Prominent leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, and Mark Clark were assassinated, which disrupted the movement's leadership and momentum.
   • The assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a key supporter of constitutional reforms for civil rights, further weakened the movement's governmental support

2. Violence and Suppression

   • Black riots between 1963 and 1965 led to mass arrests, torture, and killings of African Americans. These violent responses discouraged many from participating in the movement.
   • Organizations like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and other white supremacist groups targeted activists with intimidation, violence, and murder.

3. Lack of Education

   • Approximately 99% of African Americans were estimated to be illiterate during the period. This lack of education made it difficult to mobilize the masses and provide them with civic knowledge about their rights.
   • Illiteracy and economic disadvantage left African Americans vulnerable to exploitation in plantations, mines, and industries.

4. Government Opposition Many government officials actively opposed desegregation and civil rights efforts. For instance:

   • James Meredith, an African American student, was prevented from enrolling at Mississippi University by Ross Barnett, the governor of Mississippi, showcasing institutional resistance to integration.
   • Counter Intelligence Programme (COINTELPRO): The U.S. government implemented this program to disrupt and undermine black militant groups such as the Black Panther Party (BPP). This program used surveillance, infiltration, and disinformation to weaken the movement.

5. Division within the Movement There were ideological divisions among civil rights groups. Nonviolent activists like those in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) led by Martin Luther King Jr. often clashed with militant groups like the Black Panther Party, which advocated for self-defense and armed resistance.

6. Economic Disparities Despite the movement, most African Americans remained trapped in poverty. Economic opportunities were limited, and racial discrimination in employment, housing, and access to resources persisted. The gap between white and black Americans in terms of wealth and income further perpetuated systemic inequality.

7. Resistance to Integration White communities resisted integration in schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. This resistance was often accompanied by violence, threats, and the establishment of discriminatory laws and practices. Programs to desegregate schools, such as busing, faced significant backlash, including protests and political opposition.

8. Media and Public Perception The media often portrayed the movement and its leaders in a negative light, particularly militant groups like the Black Panthers. This distorted public perception and reduced broader societal support for the movement.