Civil Rights

Term Paper # 104509

African-American Studies > Civil Rights
Gender and Sexuality > Homosexuality
Women Studies

Civil Rights

This paper describes the history of civil rights in the United States for blacks, women and gay men and women.

992 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper shows how great strides have been made regarding civil rights in the US since the inception of the idea in the 1940s. The paper relates that although racism has not been totally eradicated, in the eyes of the law today every race is equal and constitutionally protected. The paper then focuses on the 1960s as a decade that interests the author in terms of issues, events and experiences and on the 1980s as a decade that least interests him. The paper also discusses how the United States has experienced the most change in its culture, becoming more gender equal.

From the Paper:

"Civil rights became an issue of concern in the 1940s when President Harry S. Truman made it the main focus of his fighting liberal program and even championed a bill that would end racial discrimination in the military. However, Truman backed down from this platform after he endured a wave of political backlash from those who feared the program: mainly southern politicians.
"In the 1950s, the National Association of Colored People (NAACP) emerged, led by Reverend George W. Lee. The group was formed to encourage blacks to use their voting power and their civil rights to enact change in society. However, at the time, fervent opposition and violence met the NAACP and Reverend Lee was murdered in 1955 Mississippi because of his efforts."

Sample of Sources Used:

Brazile, Donna. Cooking with Grease, Stirring the Pots in American Politics. Los Angeles: Simon and Schuster, 2004.
Gillon, Steven M.. The American Paradox: A History of the United States Since 1960. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
Quayle, Dan (1992). Speech on Family Values.
Schlafly, Phyllis (1972). What's Wrong with "Equal Rights" for Women?
U.S. Department of Labor (1995). Glass Ceiling Commission Report.