Closer, But Not There Yet

The lessons we've learned from the Civil Rights Movement are: violent protests aren't the best way to achieve equality, we achieve greater things when we came together as a whole, and to get people's attention, we might have to step out of our comfort zone and do things we're not used to. The Detroit Riot was an example of how violent protests are not an effective way of protesting. The Detroit Riot destroyed the streets; windows were smashed, buildings were ruined and vandalized, and a lot of people were injured. Cities were burning to the ground. Project C took place in 1963. It was organized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and it was a nonviolent protest where African American children skipped school to march and protest along the streets of Birmingham. Kids came together from left to right and sung songs as they marched to Birmingham for equality. All the kids were arrested and thrown into jail. They gave up almost everything that they had for their families since their parents had jobs they could not lose. The jail cells were full the days that followed the march. Rosa Parks was another example of a nonviolent protest and also a very brave woman that stepped out of her boundaries and went far past her limits to stand up for her rights. She and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. planned to boycott the buses. She refused to go to the back of the bus one day after work and was arrested and put into jail. The weeks that followed after that, all African Americans decided to boycott the buses and walk or carpool instead. That was a very effective way of achieving equality on buses.

When it comes to equity and equality today, people are treated very unfairly still. For example, people in low class areas don't get the same benefits and treatment as people who live in high class areas. People who live in low class areas are not treated the same in hospitals. Their medical benefits are lower than those of people in more wealthy areas. Nobody wants to work in a low class area because they do not make as much money, therefore, the people who are more skilled and better at their jobs work in high class areas. We are still segregated today. People tend to follow their own race rather than integrate with others. If a city is being integrated, people tend to feel uncomfortable and tend to move away to a place where people of their own race are.

Our past affects our future as well. Desegregation in Little Rock Arkansas at Central High School was the start of integration in schools. However, even though we have a chance to interact with other races, we unconciously segregate ourselves. Martin Luther King Jr. is a big part of our past and has greatly affected our future. Things wouldn't be the same without him. He inspired many people to stand up for what they believe in. He took a stand and never backed down. He led many other people in nonviolent protests and he made it mandatory that things needed to change now. His speeches were very inspiring and consisted a need of urgency for these changes to happen. Everything that happened in the Civil Rights period gave us more access today. Though there is still a racial barrier, we are less segregated united as one and are more conscious of racism.