Book Report

         The Civil Rights Movement is about a time period during United States history in which African Americans fought for their release from slavery, and to gain equal rights and opportunities. This book illustrates the struggles of African-Americans in multiple settings, the mistreatment of individuals, and the courage they had to take a stand. This book was highly informative, and did a great job presenting the differences between our world today and our world just a mere 45 years ago. To see the immense changes surroundng society's view of race alone is incredible. Tha author brought to light multiple points that should never be forgotten by our nation.

        The Civil Rights Movement started off by addressing what led to the movement itself back in the late 1700's. The United States was nearly the last of all the world's countries to still practice slavery; a point highly frowned upon by other countries. The U.S. was importing blacks from the upper coast of AFrica by sendgn large ships to carry them. Only the strongest survived due to plague and starvation on the ships. Once back n the U.S. they were acutioned off or traded to plantation owners and large corporations for work. The men were usually sent to the business' and out in the cotton fields, since they could perform heavier tasks. The women took care of the white families, acting as maids, nannies, and cooks. Depending on their owner, these slaves were treated poorly on a variety of levels. Now fast forward about a hundred years. The Civil War had begun, technically in an attempt for the Yankees (northerners) to free the slaves. Abraham Lincoln was president at the time and was as strong believer in equal treatment of all races. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, making freedom a federal order. A war was unavoidable however, and the Yankees attacked the Southern states with strong force. A huge number of slaves were freed. Fast forward again, another 80 years or so. African-Americans were "free," but that depends on your view of freedom. They were no longer forced to work against their own will, and they were in charge of themselves. Yet the majority of the population was white, and those people considered the blacks to be inferior. They treated the blacks worse than dirt. Local laws were implemented that stated which jobs blacks could not have, where they could shop, which parts of town they could live in, which buses they could ride, where they could eat, ect. Anybody could have predicted what would come next. The African-Americans revolted. Great political leaders emerged and took control. Suddenly, the idea of Black Power was everywhere. African-Americans were no longer complacent being pushed around. The idea of peaceful refusal was first to come. African-Americans particpated in peace marches, bus boycotts, and public speaking events. But the white majority was not pleased to say the least. They retaliated as well, but in a much more violent way. Police brutality wasn't uncommon, and it soon became unsfafe for blacks to protest. However, the government was behind them. Multiple acts and amendments were added to give rights to the blacks. The probliem lie with enforcing them. The president at the time, Linden B. Johnsn, soon began sending large numbers of federal troops to ensure that his orders were being followed. Schools were integrated, jobs were opned up to blacks, and rights were eventually given. But that wasn't enough. The final point was to achieve equal treatment. What these people were asking for wasn't so wrong, but it was tough to attain. All they could do at that point was to stay strong and persever. And they did that. It may have taken another 20 years, but finally freeedom was theirs. Society began to accept these Africans. Some became political figures within the U.S. system. Others became teachers, doctors, and technicians. Some remained maids. The point was, it was their choice and they could do what they wanted like the rest of the Americans. It was a long, hard-fought battle of baby steps, but it was also one of the most important in our country's history.

        Never has there been a movement quite like the Civil Rights Movement. It was an era full of every emotion and action one could think of, and then some. This point in time is so important due to the fact that it dealt with equality. Every person in the world should have that opportunity. In my opinion, and the apparent opinion of the author, there should be no discrimination for anybody dependent on gender, religion, nationality, sexuality, OR race. I have to say that this was one of the best non-fiction books I've ever had to read, just because of the fact that it was on an interesting time period. The credit goes to a great author who made each chaptern new and interesting to explore. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement, or interesting U.S. history.