In school we learn about the civil rights movement and all the great individuals that were involved in this historical movement. We learn about Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Little Rock Nine, James Farmer etc. There were a lot of individuals that were involved to say the least. I remember sitting in class and hearing the stories about these American heroes and thinking about how I can not wait to have my shot at being someone that people would remember. Hearing about what they were fighting for; to end racial discrimination in America and ensure equalCIVIL rights for members of every ethnic group. When I was young I was truly proud of this movement. This all changed when I was old enough to understand that during this “call of action” there had to be a sacrifice and if you believe that a racist power structure is going to give up their power you are surely mistaken.
When we understand the goal and motives behind the civil rights movement the first thing that comes to my mind is education. During the movement, ending school segregation was one of the objectives, which meant integrating schools while shutting down black schools and integrating those black boys and girls into white schools. This cost the jobs of black teachers and forced these children to be educated by a racist teacher, however, not all the teachers were racist, but many were. A lot of the schools that were farther out in predominantly black areas stayed open and those kids were forced to receive an inferior education. To be forced to either receive an education from a system that believes you are inferior and they are superior. To be forced to be the only black kid in the classroom. How can we call this successful when you fire black teachers and shut down black schools in the name of equality?
During the civil rights movement there were a lot of sit in movements. This was a non-violent approach that involved black and white individuals going to restaurants and demanding service and treatment like every other American that ate there. We all know the outcome because we have seen it on television, movies, and read about it in our history books. But the question that truly needs to be asked is why? Why would you want to eat at a restaurant where you were not welcome? So they can spit in your food, put poison in your food, or beat you until you are unconscious. Why not boycott those restaurants and eat in black owned restaurants and bring economic equality back to the neighborhood you reside in? If you truly wanted to end this segregation then have those Caucasians eat in black owned restaurants and not beat them up? There is no power in being beaten up and not defending yourself. It portrayed Black Americans as weak in the minds of many. The non-violent approach pacified Black Americans. How many times have you heard someone say after watching those clips of the beatings that I respect him for not fighting back? I do not condone violence, but I would never object to an individual fighting back.
So why did the civil rights movement fail us? It failed to properly integrate, it failed to end the inferior education that a lot of blacks still receive and it pacified black Americans. When I look at schools in areas with high black populations we often hear about how poorly educated these kids are. We hear about the lack of funding, the lack of resources, the lack of qualified teachers etc. What was different in the 50’s and 60’s? It appears that civil rights skipped over these schools. When I hear blacks that hate their jobs, but choose to not speak out about it or when I hear about black tax (working twice as hard) I wonder why. It was that philosophy of non-violence that pacified an entire race. So you tell me if you believe the civil rights movement was successful or did it fall short of it’s goal?
Mr. Sharif Rasheed does inspirational discussions on slavery, education, social issues & change. "It only takes ." www.bethe1change.com
