African Americans in History

I have been watching a show on PBS over the last few weeks called Many Rivers to Cross. This show is remarkable and brings to light the challenges that African Americans have faced over the course of time. I recently completed an American History class at Ashford, and we went into detail on all the struggles that occurred for this culture. I am sure that most of you know about all the trials African Americans went through but for those of you who do not I want to share the paper I wrote about the topic. Please note that this is an academic paper where strict guidelines were set. I did not have much of an option on what I wanted to focus my paper on, and so I cover a wide variety of issues. Because of this, I was not able to add all the facts and events that occurred. If you are interested in learning more please feel free to read over all the sources I listed. I also highly recommend watching or even buying the DVD from PBS called Many Rivers to Cross. I swear this show is a wake-up call and there are parts that made me tear up. I certainly have a few new heros because of the strength and courage these people showed. 

There are people in this great country of ours that believe that America was founded and built by the Pilgrims and white people. They would be wrong in more ways than one if they carry that opinion. In fact, there would not have been progress in America had it not been for African Americans. They came to America as slaves and helped build this country from the bottom up. However, there lay the problem for African Americans. They came here as slaves and it stayed this way for some time. Over the course of history, however, they built a culture and identity for themselves no matter how much slave owners wanted to destroy that. It all came down to slaves wanting equality and freedom and in the 19^th century they fought for those rights. The Civil War was a war fought for many reasons but one of the main reasons was the freedom of slaves. In 1865 when it ended, slaves finally received freedom. But it was not the freedom they thought they would have.

       In 1866 congress passed the Civil Rights Act giving all African Americans citizenship. During the Reconstruction Era many positive and some negative changes occurred for African Americans and life seemed to be getting better for them. In 1881 however, Tennessee passed one of the very first Jim Crow laws and this eventually led to Plessy v. Ferguson making segregation legal. This is where achievements for African Americans began to decline. Events taking place in the south and life for African Americans in general got so bad that many African Americans moved up North in search of jobs and such. This was known as the Great Migration. Race riots began to break out everywhere leaving many dead in its wakes. Then comes a great time for African Americans, the Harlem Renaissance in which the culture of African Americans began to shape our country.  All the while, before and during this amazing time for African Americans, they are still living without true equal rights as whites. They are still segregated and are building up for the final battle so to say. The Civil Rights Era is perhaps the most important period for African Americans and in the end was the last leg of the race to freedom and equality. They eventually won and received the rights they had fought for since America had begun. All the events that occurred and the tenacity and will power of African Americans and their supporters was the driving force that in the end gave them freedom and equality.

   We all know the struggles that occurred to even start this great country we know today.  From battles fought abroad to right here at home we gained our independence and settled issues that made us great. The Civil War is important for all Americans but not like it is for African Americans. When the North won and slavery was abolished many African Americans went through a rough time. In 1866, congress passed the Civil Rights Act and this was expected to be a positive change for African Americans. This Act ensured that African Americans were allowed the same rights as the white man but did not enforce these rights. When the Reconstruction period came, many issues looked promising for African Americans. But that was cut short when Tennessee passed one of the first Jim Crow laws and soon after many more southern states followed.

   When ugly Jim Crow reared its ugly head things went downhill for African Americans for the most part. Jim Crow laws basically stated that African American’s in southern states were “separate but equal” and allowed segregation in all public places. Making matters worse was the fact that most of the places that were specified for African Americans were not the same standards as the white people putting many at a disadvantage in fields like education and social standards. A huge loss for African Americans was when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was legal in the Plessy v. Ferguson case. It seemed that all the accomplishments African Americans had made were for nothing in some cases and a decline in those accomplishments occurred afterwards. Maybe it was impart due to fear because of the violence from the Ku Klux Klan. Whatever the reasons all these events lead to African Americans looking for a way out and for a better life and this is what started the Great Migration.

   More than six million African Americans moved from the south to the north and other cities across the United States trying to gain better employment and living opportunities in 1916 and continuing for quite a while afterward. This was coined the Great Migration and had huge impacts on America. Due to War World One many industries were in high demand for workers and advertised this need. African Americans seen this as a way to better their financial standings and escape the horrible conditions they were living with in the south. This move did not come with all positives however. Because so many migrated to these cities they had to compete for jobs, where most landed one eventually in places that offered awful working conditions. Adding to the distress of work was home life. African Americans faced trying to find a home in an overpopulated city. This lead most to pay rents that were outrageous and living conditions were hardly reasonable let alone good. As if these issues were not bad enough they also had to deal with racism from white people. Though the north did not have segregation there were many that did not like “black” people and mistreated them by way of words and actions. This made relationships bad between the two races and eventually led to major race riots.

   In 1919, race riots began and seemed to be at their worse. Probably the most infamous of these riots took place in Chicago. This particular riot occurred because a “black” teen was swimming in Lake Michigan and accidently went into a white only area of the lake. His punishment for his accident was drowning. They drowned him and the authorities did nothing to the white people for it. And so began the riots and lasted for thirteen days. In the end, 537 were injured, 38 were dead, and 1,000 black families were without homes. These race riots occurred in cities such as Omaha Nebraska, Washington DC, Longview Texas, and Knoxville Tennessee. This time period became known as the “Red Summer”. Though bad things had occurred, some good came from the riots such, particularly from the Chicago incident, such as it being a wakeup call to the violence and steps towards peace.

   Let us take a look at a positive occurrence for African Americans. The Harlem Renaissance was a time when African Americans made a new name for themselves. In the 1920’s and 30’s huge accomplishments, mostly in literature and arts, came from a city called Harlem in New York. This period paved way for the “New Negro Movement” advocating for civil and political rights. It was done though beautifully written books and other works of arts. Though it did not accomplish its goals it did some good by waking up some people towards the notion of peace. Some influential artists that made this happen are Walter White, Du Bois, Arna Bontemps, James Weldon Johnson, and Zora Neale Hurston. Though these people and the many others that hand their hand in the Harlem Renaissance did not achieve true equality they certainly paved the way for others in the future to do so. This brings us to one of the greatest achievement for African Americans and a change that shaped our modern world today. This was called the Civil Rights Movement and it was a hard and grueling fight.

   The Civil Rights Movement officially began in 1954. The NAACP had been trying to convince congress to banish Jim Crow Laws for quite some time before 1954 with little to no success. In 1952, however, five different cases of it being unconstitutional for states to allow segregation went to the Supreme Court. They combined all these cases and named it, Brown v. Board of Education. It took a while to get a unanimous vote but in 1954 the Supreme Court finally had a ruling. They ruled that it was indeed unconstitutional to allow segregation and banished the Jim Crow Laws. This was a huge victory for the NAACP and African Americans. One would think that this would have been the magic answer to all the problems that existed but that would be far from the truth. In fact that was just the beginning to the struggle. The Supreme Court did not give any direction as to how to carry out the process of desegregating schools and left it up to each individual state. Because most states were for segregation, they had no intention of hurrying the process along. And so the Civil Rights Movement began in earnest.

   Many African Americans from all over the south began to stand up for their rights after this. Rosa Parks was a lady who refused to move to the back of the bus that was designated for “colored people”. This actually kicked of a bus boycott. In Montgomery Alabama in 1955, African Americans began this bus boycott, with Martin Luther King Jr. leading the way. These boycotters refused to ride any city bus, going so far as to arrange carpools, so that they could get rid of segregation on buses. This lasted over a year and on 1956, federal district court ruled in Browder v. Gayle that bus segregation was illegal and this was yet another major feat for African Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “We came to see that, in the long run, it is more honorable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation. So … we decided to substitute tired feet for tired souls, and walk the streets of Montgomery”, (Stanford University, n.d).  

   What happened in 1957, nine African American students in Little Rock Arkansas enrolled in an all- white high school. The students of Little Rock Central High School were not allowed to enter the school however because of the violent threats and remarks by current students and the Governor, Orval Faubus. The parents of the white students threatened to block the school doors and the Governor called in the National Guard to keep the nine African American Students out of the school. This went national and President Eisenhower federalized the National Guard and sent troops in from the Army to protect the nine students and allow them to go to school there. Needless to say this group finally was able to attend Little Rock Central High School though it came with a price of bullying, mental and physical violence, and a hard long year. This group became known as the Little Rock Nine.

   The whole time all of this was going on Martin Luther King Jr. and advocates for African Americans Civil Rights were still carrying out peaceful protest. In Nashville Tennessee in 1959, a large group of African American college students planned and carried out sit-ins.  They filled stores and restaurants in downtown that were “white only” and peacefully sat there until they were forced out by authorities. They were arrested but persevered and in 1960 the city officials and business owners agreed to desegregate businesses. This was a huge stepping stone for African Americans and though they were close to winning the fight for Civil Rights they still had a long road ahead of them. Determination drove them to continue.

   More peaceful protest were carried out such as Freedom rides, the March of Washington D.C., speeches from Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X coming into the mix with his violent protests. Throughout all of these things African Americans were gaining ground and in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act. It was victory for African Americans allowing the Federal government to step in and protect them in areas of education and discrimination. Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and life was getting better. But there was much still left to be done.

  In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands of men and women on the march  to Selma for voting rights. But it truly all began in earlier in the year when this march proceeded and cruel violence and death occurred. It was known as “Bloody Sunday” and Dr. King set the peaceful marches into action. It was a long hard road but eventually gained to support it needed, even from the President of the United States. In August of 1965 President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Another amazing victory for African Americans but sadness was still to come.

   Many positive changes began to occur after 1965 for African Americans. Though still, riots broke out in some places and issues were still going around. The majority was looking up for them during this time. It was in April of 1968 that a major tragedy occurred for African Americans and in general America. In a Memphis Tennessee after giving a speech at the Mason Temple, 39 year old King was shot and killed. He later died at a local hospital and the nation wept. James Earl Ray was arrested for the murder. It was sad day to say the least. Though sad that such a great man was lost his accomplishments and the accomplishments of all involved in the Civil Rights Act live on today.

   It is important to remember that though African Americans came to this great country as slaves, they were still human beings. Without them, their hard work, dedication, drive, forgiveness, and culture the face of America would not be what it is today. They not only lived through some of the worst times but have been here through the best as well. The brilliant and passionate individuals that pushed for freedom and equality deserve more than just respect but also they deserve to remain in name in American History.

   In 1866, when congress passed the Civil Rights Act giving all African Americans citizenship it was a turning point in our history.  The Reconstruction Era may have failed at so much but paved the way for African Americans for the future. In 1881 however, The Jim Crow laws and Plessy v. Ferguson making segregation legal was a back track in progress but it once more was the path to improvement of the lives of these great people. The Great Migration and Race riots changed the culture of American across the board and gave opportunity to people who never would have had it. It came with a price but as we have seen throughout history, it was always something African Americans were willing to pay for the fight. It just shows the strength these people had. The Harlem Renaissance was a remarkable time for African Americans in which the culture of African Americans began to shape our country and their true identity of them began to shine. The Civil Rights Era is perhaps the most important period for African Americans. It pushed Americans apart and then brought us together. It brought us some pretty magnificent people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Little Rock Nine, Rosa Parks, and all the college students of the sit-ins just to name a few. They eventually won and received the rights they had fought for since America had begun during this time. Again, can you not see how hard work, dedication and strength play a major role for African Americans? All the events that occurred and the tenacity and will power of African Americans and their supporters was the driving force that in the end gave them freedom and equality.

References:

Beacham, T. Gilmartin, B., Grobman, S, Ling, C., & Rhee, V. (Producers), Libretto, J. (Director). (2004).  Let freedom ring: Moments from the civil rights movement, 1954-1965 [News program]. New York, NY: NBC Universal. Retrieved from http://digital.films.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=40565&aid=18596&Plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&ref=

Brown, S. (2006). World, image and the new negro: representation and dentity in the harlem rennaissance. American Periodicals, 16(1), 119-121. Retrieved from http://muse.jhu.edu.proxy-library.ashford.edu/journals/modernism-modernity/v013/13.2chinitz.html

Capeci, D.J. (2001). Race riot redux: william m. tuttle, jr. and the study of racial violence. Reviews in American History, 29(1), 165-181. Retrieved from http://muse.jhu.edu.proxy-library.ashford.edu/results#type=ajax&startYear=&stopYear=&limits=subscription:Y&terms=content:race%20Riots%201917:AND&m=1

Cosby, B. (2004, May 17).  Address at the NAACP on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. Retrieved from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/billcosbypoundcakespeech.htm

Hartt, R. L. (1921, Jan. 15).  “The new Negro”: “When he’s hit, he hits back!”. Independent. Retrieved from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5127

Kunhardt, P., Kunhardt, P., III, and Steiner, N. (Producers). (2002).  What is freedom?.  [Series Episode] from P. Kinhardt & S. Sheppard (Executive Producers) Freedom: A History of US. United States: PBS. Retrieved from http://digital.films.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=44253&aid=18596&Plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&ref= 

McDougald, E. J. (1925). The double task of Negro womanhood.In A. Locke (Ed.), The New Negro: An Interpretation. Retrieved from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5126

Pollard, S. (Producer & Director). (2012).  Slavery by another name.  [Documentary]. United States: Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. Retrieved from http://video.pbs.org/video/2176766758/

Stanford University. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_montgomery_bus_boycott_1955_1956/

 United States Congress. (1866, April 9).  Civil Rights Act.  Retrieved from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/exhibits/reconstruction/section4/section4_civrightsact1.html

Here is the link to the show, Many Rivers to Cross, on PBS. I highly recommend exploring this link.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/