Using various speeches and letters by famous activist movement leaders and the Divine-Breen text, I will compare the ideas, language, and common characteristics of two protest movements from the 1960’s by arguing that the Civil Rights Movement was more effective to bring forth change in USA.
Tension filled the air between the protestors, while many citizens, white and black, stood with signs hanging around their neck to support the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling to desegregate the nation’s schools. Fighting against racism and the cold weather, protestors never ceased to pressure the government to intervene with the growing racism in public facilities. Setting the tone for the upcoming mood of protest in the 1960’s, …show more content…
The Civil Rights Movement wanted equal rights for African Americans and the extinction public segregation. Similar to the previously stated movement, the Student Movement fought racism, unreasonable student restrictions, and to end the Vietnam War.
Both held the idea of equality in society and supported democracy. They also shared a common way of expressing dissatisfaction with nonviolent actions. However, the Civil Rights Movement possessed notable individuals who left a mark in history. Despite the lack of leadership, the Student Movement grew rapidly amongst the younger generation. Although both movements successfully worked to achieve their vision and possessed several similarities, the Civil Rights Movement was more effective to bring changes to USA because of the religious factor that underlain the …show more content…
One of the famous protests was the March on Washington in August 1963. John Lewis, a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), announced that they “march[ed] [that]day for jobs and freedom” because it was their responsibility to “free [them]selves of the chains of political and economic slavery” (Address at the March on Washington. John Lewis, 1963). Accompanied by religious speeches and hymns, the peaceful political rally was held in Washington D.C. Over 200,000 marchers assembled in front of the Lincoln Memorial support the SNCC and the Civil Rights Movement. The movement and its supporters never intended to be violent since the beginning. In a letter to an American politician, King wrote to him saying that “[African Americans] will meet [the white’s] physical force with soul force. [African Americans] will not hate [the whites], but [the African Americans] will not obey [the white’s] evil laws” (Letter to Chester Bowles, 1955). The absence of desire for violence is evident in both the march and in the mind-set of one of the most important leaders of the movement. The Student Movement also demonstrated nonviolent protests by holding sit-in and teach-in session at schools throughout the country. In November, 1969, a group of students demanded change in Harvard University’s system of wage
Tension filled the air between the protestors, while many citizens, white and black, stood with signs hanging around their neck to support the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling to desegregate the nation’s schools. Fighting against racism and the cold weather, protestors never ceased to pressure the government to intervene with the growing racism in public facilities. Setting the tone for the upcoming mood of protest in the 1960’s, …show more content…
The Civil Rights Movement wanted equal rights for African Americans and the extinction public segregation. Similar to the previously stated movement, the Student Movement fought racism, unreasonable student restrictions, and to end the Vietnam War.
Both held the idea of equality in society and supported democracy. They also shared a common way of expressing dissatisfaction with nonviolent actions. However, the Civil Rights Movement possessed notable individuals who left a mark in history. Despite the lack of leadership, the Student Movement grew rapidly amongst the younger generation. Although both movements successfully worked to achieve their vision and possessed several similarities, the Civil Rights Movement was more effective to bring changes to USA because of the religious factor that underlain the …show more content…
One of the famous protests was the March on Washington in August 1963. John Lewis, a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), announced that they “march[ed] [that]day for jobs and freedom” because it was their responsibility to “free [them]selves of the chains of political and economic slavery” (Address at the March on Washington. John Lewis, 1963). Accompanied by religious speeches and hymns, the peaceful political rally was held in Washington D.C. Over 200,000 marchers assembled in front of the Lincoln Memorial support the SNCC and the Civil Rights Movement. The movement and its supporters never intended to be violent since the beginning. In a letter to an American politician, King wrote to him saying that “[African Americans] will meet [the white’s] physical force with soul force. [African Americans] will not hate [the whites], but [the African Americans] will not obey [the white’s] evil laws” (Letter to Chester Bowles, 1955). The absence of desire for violence is evident in both the march and in the mind-set of one of the most important leaders of the movement. The Student Movement also demonstrated nonviolent protests by holding sit-in and teach-in session at schools throughout the country. In November, 1969, a group of students demanded change in Harvard University’s system of wage