WHy is there a need for civil rights leaders?
By: Rachel Reagor
Imagine a world where you couldn’t have a friend of a different race, nevertheless, you didn’t want a friend of a different race. Well, that was the world that people were living in in the 50s and 60s. It was called segregation and was a horrible way of life. The idea was separate but equal. The formal definition of segregation according to the Marriam-Webster is “a separation of race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area." In the 50s and 60s, segregation was specifically the separation of race by enforced residence. There were many people for segregation and against segregation during this time. But, some of the most important people against segregation were Civil Right leaders. These were great people who weren’t afraid to stand up for their beliefs. There was a need for Civil Right leaders during the time of segregation because of the Ferguson vs. Plessy case, the way that colored people were treated, and the Little Rock Nine.
Plessy vs. Ferguson was a case in which it was ruled that according to the fourteenth amendment, segregation was legal. The belief was “separate but equal,” this basically meant that people could be treated the same but not be together. The fourteenth amendment states, “Nor [any state] deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of laws.” So, technically the amendment was being followed, but there were leaders who rose up to question that. But, when the Jim Crow laws were passed, the “separate but equal” concept was hurt. People of different races remained separate, but the white people had better facility and events than the colored people. Eventually, this led to the worse segregation that this country had ever seen. Colored people had bad education, bad learning facility, and bad situations. One of these cases was the Brown vs. Board of Education case. The Brown girls had to walk a long time and through some sketchy parts of town to get to school. Along with this example, segregation was seen in many other places in town.
Segregation really led to colored people being treated badly. One situation where this is true was in pools and everyday activities. Public pools were supposed to be a place in which students and families could enjoy themselves in sunny weather. Think of the perfect pool: large swimming pool, lawn chairs, and snacks. This was the white people;s pool, but the colored people’s pool didn’t quite live up to this standard. Next, the colored people and the white people had separate bathrooms and drinking fountains. In some cases, the waste from the white people’s drinking fountain and sink was used for the colored people’s sink and drinking fountain! Last, colored school didn’t live up to the white schools. Eventually, because of the Brown vs. Board of Education case, school became integrated. Still, many colored students struggled with the grief they got from their white classmates.
One very famous situation in this time was called Little Rock Nine. The Little Rock Nine were nine colored students who attended a previously white school that had just become integrated. But, some of the white students on campus were not happy. They followed the colored students to class, yelled at them, and even spit on them. Then, the leaders of Little Rock, Arkansas got involved, but they didn’t like the colored students being on campus either. So, they sent in soldiers to stop the colored kids from going to class. Eventually, President Eisenhower had to step in, so he sent in the National Guard to insure that the colored students were treated equally. Overall, the Little Rock Nine were just one group of people in which segregation caused them pain and that Civil Rights leaders were needed.
There was a need for Civil Right leaders during the time of segregation because of the Little Rock Nine, Plessy vs. Ferguson case, and the unequal separation of colored and white people. The situation was horrible but through hard work and perseverance, the colored people overcame their situation. With some amazing Civil Rights Leaders, colored people are now treated equally. There are also a lot of colored people who have now become great things. For example, we currently have our first colored president. One of my personal favorite quote said by Helen Keller is, “All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” Without the pain and struggle, there is no way to overcome and make something amazing out of something wicked.
Plessy vs. Ferguson was a case in which it was ruled that according to the fourteenth amendment, segregation was legal. The belief was “separate but equal,” this basically meant that people could be treated the same but not be together. The fourteenth amendment states, “Nor [any state] deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of laws.” So, technically the amendment was being followed, but there were leaders who rose up to question that. But, when the Jim Crow laws were passed, the “separate but equal” concept was hurt. People of different races remained separate, but the white people had better facility and events than the colored people. Eventually, this led to the worse segregation that this country had ever seen. Colored people had bad education, bad learning facility, and bad situations. One of these cases was the Brown vs. Board of Education case. The Brown girls had to walk a long time and through some sketchy parts of town to get to school. Along with this example, segregation was seen in many other places in town.
Segregation really led to colored people being treated badly. One situation where this is true was in pools and everyday activities. Public pools were supposed to be a place in which students and families could enjoy themselves in sunny weather. Think of the perfect pool: large swimming pool, lawn chairs, and snacks. This was the white people;s pool, but the colored people’s pool didn’t quite live up to this standard. Next, the colored people and the white people had separate bathrooms and drinking fountains. In some cases, the waste from the white people’s drinking fountain and sink was used for the colored people’s sink and drinking fountain! Last, colored school didn’t live up to the white schools. Eventually, because of the Brown vs. Board of Education case, school became integrated. Still, many colored students struggled with the grief they got from their white classmates.
One very famous situation in this time was called Little Rock Nine. The Little Rock Nine were nine colored students who attended a previously white school that had just become integrated. But, some of the white students on campus were not happy. They followed the colored students to class, yelled at them, and even spit on them. Then, the leaders of Little Rock, Arkansas got involved, but they didn’t like the colored students being on campus either. So, they sent in soldiers to stop the colored kids from going to class. Eventually, President Eisenhower had to step in, so he sent in the National Guard to insure that the colored students were treated equally. Overall, the Little Rock Nine were just one group of people in which segregation caused them pain and that Civil Rights leaders were needed.
There was a need for Civil Right leaders during the time of segregation because of the Little Rock Nine, Plessy vs. Ferguson case, and the unequal separation of colored and white people. The situation was horrible but through hard work and perseverance, the colored people overcame their situation. With some amazing Civil Rights Leaders, colored people are now treated equally. There are also a lot of colored people who have now become great things. For example, we currently have our first colored president. One of my personal favorite quote said by Helen Keller is, “All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” Without the pain and struggle, there is no way to overcome and make something amazing out of something wicked.