The year is 2017 and 398 years after slavery, a cruel institution, was established in the United States, and 152 years after slavery was abolished in the 13th amendment of the US Constitution, we still see African Americans fighting for basic civil rights. The struggle for civil rights is a continuing fight that has evolved and improved over time, especially because of African American literature. There are numerous writers whose stories have shaped not only the civil rights movement, but our society today. Because of books and poetry that target the issue of civil rights during the 1950s and 60s, we live in a society that is non-segregated and more unified than ever before.
The civil rights movement era took place between 1954 and 1965, and …show more content…
Blacks were segregated from not being able to share the same bathroom as whites, to not even being able to drink from the same fountain or sit with them in the front of the bus (Gilmore, G). Also, blacks were not nearly given the same level of education and educational resources than whites. There was also extreme injustice in the judicial system, as the word of a white person was valued more over the word of a black person’s. Harper Lee’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, is a fascinating book that reflects how the justice system is not as color blind as it claims to be. No matter how much evidence clearly exonerated black people in their case, they were more than likely found guilty of the crime that they truly did not commit (How To Kill a Mockingbird Reflects the Real Civil Rights Movement, Time). This novel, like many other writings that highlight the injustice during this era, would make a lasting impact on society and call for a change in America’s social …show more content…
Eventually the Voting Rights Act was passed, which was a huge success for society and continues to have an impact on us today. Throughout history, the right to vote translated to freedom. More blacks were registered in the South 5 years after its enforcement than were registered during the prior century. There has been a 1,000% increase in the number of black elected officials in six states that were heavily segregated (The Civil Rights Movement and the Politics of Memory, Prospect). Without this act, Obama could not have been elected president of the United States. Just like Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” depicted the harsh conditions of enslaved African Americans, which energized antislavery forces in the North, civil rights literature detailed the struggle of blacks post slavery, and energizes people to rally for equality and an America where the justice system is color blind and everyone is given the same opportunities for a great and happy life that is not filled with the fear of being sought out, murdered, or treated unfairly because of the color of the color of their skin. This is why the stories of the civil rights movement do matter, as they shape how we see the world. The powerful storytellers become primary sources of human action and influence the laws, policies, and institutions in our society
The civil rights movement era took place between 1954 and 1965, and …show more content…
Blacks were segregated from not being able to share the same bathroom as whites, to not even being able to drink from the same fountain or sit with them in the front of the bus (Gilmore, G). Also, blacks were not nearly given the same level of education and educational resources than whites. There was also extreme injustice in the judicial system, as the word of a white person was valued more over the word of a black person’s. Harper Lee’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, is a fascinating book that reflects how the justice system is not as color blind as it claims to be. No matter how much evidence clearly exonerated black people in their case, they were more than likely found guilty of the crime that they truly did not commit (How To Kill a Mockingbird Reflects the Real Civil Rights Movement, Time). This novel, like many other writings that highlight the injustice during this era, would make a lasting impact on society and call for a change in America’s social …show more content…
Eventually the Voting Rights Act was passed, which was a huge success for society and continues to have an impact on us today. Throughout history, the right to vote translated to freedom. More blacks were registered in the South 5 years after its enforcement than were registered during the prior century. There has been a 1,000% increase in the number of black elected officials in six states that were heavily segregated (The Civil Rights Movement and the Politics of Memory, Prospect). Without this act, Obama could not have been elected president of the United States. Just like Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” depicted the harsh conditions of enslaved African Americans, which energized antislavery forces in the North, civil rights literature detailed the struggle of blacks post slavery, and energizes people to rally for equality and an America where the justice system is color blind and everyone is given the same opportunities for a great and happy life that is not filled with the fear of being sought out, murdered, or treated unfairly because of the color of the color of their skin. This is why the stories of the civil rights movement do matter, as they shape how we see the world. The powerful storytellers become primary sources of human action and influence the laws, policies, and institutions in our society