Dr Jean Louis NDAMA
Senior lecturer
Department of English / UNIVERSITY OF BANGUI
Géographie et SI
Submitted: 2022-02-27
valued: 2022-06-19
validated: 2022-07-30
ABSTRACT:
The actions of civil rights organizations and their leaders in the 1950s and 1960s aimed at extending the implementation of civil rights existing in the American constitution and other laws to African-Americans who felt excluded from the benefits of American citizenship. In order to help understand what contributed to the success of the movement, this article inquires into the role played by socio-historical and political factors including the evocation of provisions from such fundamental documents as the Declaration of Independence and the constitution as well as the inspiring power of the American Dream.
The commitment of African-American to end their exclusion from the mainstream of American life because of widespread racial segregation and discrimination laws, especially in the south, is illustrated by the contribution of black lawyers to the legal struggle against segregation discrimination. The determination of black communities to challenge Jim Crow laws including laws that excluded blacks from political participation, and grass-root activists’ willingness to risk their lives were further proofs of this commitment. However, the vision, devotion, and creativity of black leaders of civil rights organizations proved vital in providing direction to the movement and in being the spokespersons in charge of negotiations with the federal government.
The last but not least determining factor was the positive attitude of the federal government which accepted, not without reluctance, to find solutions to the delayed equality issue with regard to African-Americans. It is shown through unprecedented supreme court decisions and orders banning segregation and discrimination and in presidential proposals of laws adopted by congress which included the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Right Act and the Fair Housing Act. These legislations have changed the face of American society through their combined effects.
Keywords: Racial segregation, discrimination, civil rights, supreme court, congress, black leaders, marches.
RESUME :
Non disponible
Mots clés :
Ségrégation raciale, discrimination, droit civil, cour suprême, congrès, leaders noirs, marches.
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