Week 13 Discussion

The 1960s were a transformative decade marked by widespread social protest and activism in America. These movements were often driven by demands for civil rights, social justice, peace, and equality as well as challenging the established political and cultural expectations of the time. One of the most prominent movements was the Civil Rights Movement which aimed to end racial discrimination and segregation, through mainly non violent acts of protest. Figures such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martian Luther King Jr. and groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) advocated for non violent resistance and protesting. The SNCC was started when four black college students refused to stand at a restaurant sitting and not leaving until the bar closed, creating a new form of non violent protesting called sit in. “the four college freshmen stayed in their seats until the lunch counter closed--giving birth to the "sit-in." The next morning, the four college students re-appeared at Woolworth's, accompanied by 25 fellow students. By the end of the week, protesters filled Woolworth's and other lunch counters in town. Now was their time, and they refused to end their nonviolent protest against inequality. Six months later, white city officials granted blacks the right to be served in a restaurant.” (Digital History) This method proved to be effective in just six months a change had been made through this form of protesting, however although they ascribed to the ideas of non violent protesting there opposers did not and they were often attacked both verbally and physically, getting arrested while their attackers remained free. This occurred not only at sit in but many other non violent protests throughout the country. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a turning point in the fight for equal rights. “The act prohibited discrimination in voting, employment, and public facilities such as hotels and restaurants, and it established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to prevent discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, or sex.” (Digital History) Although this act was widely accepted without much resistance many acts of violence occurred because of angry towards this new legal change. Despite this however it was successful and the Justice Department would go on to bring legal actions against any business that was charged with racial discrimination. Womans liberation movements also gained renewed energy at this time. Women fought for equal pay, equal treatment, and new opportunities to step outside the bonds of the traditional women’s lifestyle. The book “Feminine Mystique” by Betty Freidan inspired many women to question the roles of traditional gender roles. Although this book was not perfect (Freidan mainly forced on straight white middle class married women) it was a increasingly popular idea put into words and widely spread. She gave words to the frustrations of many women who felt confined to the home. The LGBTQ communities fight for equality also was on a rise. The renewed suppression brought on by the end of WW2 was now being fought against. They did not want to go life they were forced to lead before the war where they were oppressed and discriminated against. “During the late 1960s and the 1970s, gay and lesbian activism also flourished in the form of parades and demonstrations as activists and supporters protested the stigmatization of the gay community, demanded equal rights, and celebrated their identities.” (American Archive) State laws threatened bars that allowed same sex dancing, however perhaps the best known police raid was at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 where the patrons fought back against the police, and three days of civil disobedience followed. This began a new wave of pride and openness as well as activism for the queer community. Activists fought agasint the laws and beliefs that homosexualtiy was a mental illness and a crime. As the US involvement with the Vietnam War began to increase public opinion did as well. Protests began to increase rapidly especially among students and young people ”Protests against the war in Vietnam loomed large in New Left activities, drawing crowds of students, non-students, radicals, and moderates who agreed that the conflict should end. “ (American Archive) Civil rights leader Martian Luther King Jr. joined in the anti war movement as well, Martin Luther helped lead a group of 300,000 protesters in New York City. 25,000 were burned, destroyed or returned in protest of this war. There was major contention and violence between protesters and the police. After National Guardsman killed four Kent State student protesters there was a nation wide student strike, shutting down 500 colleges. There are major resemblance to the actions which occurred in 1960’s, and those of the current day. There are still ongoing protests (many now occurring on social media) concerning racial inequalities, anti war protests and gun laws, womens rights and LGBTQ rights. There are also still many student led programs and young people again appear to be at the forefront of many protests for change.




Digital History
https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=17&smtID=2
American Archive of Public Broadcasting
https://americanarchive.org/exhibits/first-amendment/protests-60s-70s
History: “The Feminine Mystique” By Betty Freidan is published
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-19/the-feminine-mystique-by-betty-friedan-is-published