The movements for and against civil rights in the 1960s unfortunately created and continued much physical violence among races. Between “Klansville, USA”, the Harlem Riots, various white ethnic movements, and freedom riders, chaos erupted on the literal streets in this country. We ask ourselves why certain groups mobilize but we neglect to ask why others fail to mobilize or what are the repercussions of mobilizing.
The tension among women particularly and how they never truly banded together at full force or ever supported a public woman figure in the 1960s is attributed to the lack of a complete Women’s Movement. It can be said that racial divides led to lack of positive homogeneity in terms of collaboration and support. Moreover, a common goal, in my opinion was seldom identified with what a bevy of women in this country actually wanted. As opposed to the Women’s Movement, the Civil Rights movement has shown to be more successful in getting its point across, domestically and globally then, and now in terms of movements such as Black Lives Matter.
When guest speaker Barry Fredericks spoke about his job in aiding the Freedom Riders, he admitted that the 23 individuals involved in “Civil Rights”, were sent to protect many of the people rather than to integrate African Americans into schools and elsewhere. Without the reinforcement and support for the movements from those who were White, how could African Americans not feel lack of care from those in positions of power?
On a completely unrelated note however, this was my favorite thing Barry mentioned, “Movements came out of the 60s but they themselves also made the 60s”.
Jerome Krase
May 8, 2017 — 3:41 pm
I think he said “50s” but the point is well taken that the movements emerge out of historical conditions and not out of individual personalities as is often romanticized. You also point out an important issue as to the potentially negative consequences of well-intentioned actions.