Fight for What's Right

People’s lessons throughout the Civil Rights movement changed their opinion on racism, or even people who are just…different. Each Civil Rights act served their own purpose, and each one fought a stronger fight. All the lives lost, the blood seen, the riots, and the hate crimes. Those got us nowhere. All the Civil Rights acts proved that people were active and included in the fight for equality. They prohibited discrimination, allowed them the right to vote, and gave African Americans so many more opportunities. But, the citizens also had their fair share of inspirational people. Martin Luther King Jr. dug the tactic of peace instead of violence into his protestors. And the outcome was much better causing others, the ones who created hate crimes, look downright wrong. MLK Jr. wanted to see peace in his life. He wanted to see peace in his world. And to do so, he could never give up. To the African Americans giving up was too simple and it was giving the whites exactly what they wanted. Even though they didn’t put an end to racism, it created a base for the fight for human equality and acceptance.

Ethnicities and people with different sexualities still face problems with equality today. Citizens still become suspicious of others and are very judgmental. There is still racism today, just like 40 years ago. The only thing that doesn’t happen as often, are hate crimes. And even though they don’t happen everyday, the ones that do take place not only bring back painful memories, but impact citizens immensely. It seems as though, every time we get introduced to a new culture we have to start from the beginning again. Either we are afraid of what power they bring, or we just can’t gain the trust yet, it isn’t right. If we could look at people with an open mind…it would be so much easier to accept people who are different, or anybody. You can look at each person you know and conclude that we are all extremely different. Different hair, style, personality, skin color, ethnicity, religion etc. So why is it so hard for us to accept new people that have the potential to change us or our community for the better. We are all simply just different people.

The Civil Rights Movement was primarily focused on the future. There was no looking back for them. They were looking away from the past full of problems and turning towards a bright and hopeful future with promises. Things like the Selma March proved all they wanted to do was bring peace and be accepted. They knew they might look different but, inside they were no different at all. They wanted to be accepted in the place they called home. And when Martin Luther King Jr. made his speech during the March on Washington, the African Americans knew that all their patience had paid off. They knew thousands of people had finally accepted them. Now the biggest challenge today is the battle for gay rights. They know they can “Never Give Up” because there is always hope. They know people can accept them for who they are because no one should have to pretend to be someone else. And the people who accept them will fight for their rights. I hope for the day where we can look at a person and say “ya they’re different, but what’s the big deal with that. Why is that a problem?”