To begin a nonviolent movement or any movement it is very hard to influence people to join. During the Civil Rights Movement Selma, Alabama was a huge aspect to the campaign. Hundreds of black citizens had taken part in the protests. However, getting individuals to join was a struggle. Bernard Lafayette was effective in influencing a movement in Selma by taking small, effective steps to encourage individuals by challenging the system, being strong, and influencing others.
Bernard Lafayette was a SNCC field worker in Selma, Alabama who broke the barrier of fear and resignation among blacks. In 1962, Selma, Alabama was a city that was described as a place where white people were too mean and blacks were too scared. It was said that whenever black people had a meeting of any sort John Clark would appear just to show them that they are being watched. When Lafayette arrived in Selma, he was avoided by blacks because they knew who he was and were afraid to associate with …show more content…
He began to receive threats via telephone and was targeted while driving. On June 12, 1963, he was severely beaten by a police officer. The blacks in Selma viewed Lafayette as an outsider who would flee a the first sight of trouble. This event showed them that he was an outsider who exhibited more courage them them and who did not flee. Lafayette used his beating to symbolize strength and courage. This event made the momentum of his movement grow and made blacks truly challenge the white power structure.
Lafayette continued to stress the fact that strength comes from within not outside. He showed Selma that the movement for justice was a national movement. His actions forced local ministers to be more active in the movement and also changed the majority of blacks perspectives on taking a stand. Lafayette ability to influence blacks to challenge Selma’s white power structure is amazing. He showed the world that change is
Bernard Lafayette was a SNCC field worker in Selma, Alabama who broke the barrier of fear and resignation among blacks. In 1962, Selma, Alabama was a city that was described as a place where white people were too mean and blacks were too scared. It was said that whenever black people had a meeting of any sort John Clark would appear just to show them that they are being watched. When Lafayette arrived in Selma, he was avoided by blacks because they knew who he was and were afraid to associate with …show more content…
He began to receive threats via telephone and was targeted while driving. On June 12, 1963, he was severely beaten by a police officer. The blacks in Selma viewed Lafayette as an outsider who would flee a the first sight of trouble. This event showed them that he was an outsider who exhibited more courage them them and who did not flee. Lafayette used his beating to symbolize strength and courage. This event made the momentum of his movement grow and made blacks truly challenge the white power structure.
Lafayette continued to stress the fact that strength comes from within not outside. He showed Selma that the movement for justice was a national movement. His actions forced local ministers to be more active in the movement and also changed the majority of blacks perspectives on taking a stand. Lafayette ability to influence blacks to challenge Selma’s white power structure is amazing. He showed the world that change is