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Civil Rights Act of 1964
Even though the Civil Rights Act was put into law in 1964 its effects are still felt to day. It not only effects African Americans, but it makes it illegal to discriminate based on sex, race, country of origin, and has been updated to include the elderly and the disabled. The Civil Rights Act also laid the foundation for the Voting Rights Act and the Fair Housing act, both were used to protect rights that all people should have. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 the number of not only African American voters, but voters of all ethnicities has gone up, and has even been changed to protect the voting rights for english speaking Americans. This has lead to more accurate political representation of the entire country instead of a select group. -
John Lewis
John Lewis was one of the original freedom riders and he was beaten up for his efforts to against the Jim Crow laws in the south. By 1963 he was already selected as one of the biggest leaders of the civil rights movement. Then on November 4, 1968 he was first elected into congress because people recognized his leadership from the civil rights moment. His leadership has been recognized by many presidents and he has had very important positions in congress. -
Ernest Green
Ernest Green was one of the "Little Rock 9" when they were trying to desegregate Arkansas schools and was able to prevail and attend college. He has since earned a B.A. and a M.A. from Michigan State. He became a lawyer and worked in private consulting firms. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on October 21, 1998 along with the other "Little Rock 9". -
Terrance Roberts
Terrance Roberts was one of the "Little Rock 9". He faced a lot discrimination and hard ships as the white community was against integrating the school system. He eventually moved out to Las Angelos to finish his schooling. He went on to get a B.S. Degree in sociology, M.A. degree in social welfare, and a Ph.D degree in psychology. To this day he has helped desegregation throughout U.S. schools and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on October 21, 1998 with the other "Little Rock 9". -
Elizabeth Eckford
Elizabeth Eckford was a part of the "Little Rock 9" she said, "I expected that there may be something more available to me at Central that was not available at Dunbar; that there might be more courses I could pursue; that there were more options available. I was not prepared for what actually happened." about the event. She also was the only one of the 9 who did not carpool together. She was awarded the Congressional Gold medal on October 21, 1998 with the other "Little Rock 9". -
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was a little girl who was the only African American to attend William Frantz school when she was in kindergarten. Even thought she was so young and faced so much discrimination she prevailed and graduated. She attended Kansas City business school and then became a travel agent for American Express. She then founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999 to help end racism and prejudice. Its motto is "Racism is a grown-up disease, and we must stop using our children to spread it." -
Rosa Parks
After the civil rights movement Rosa Parks moved up to Detroit where she became an administrative assistant for Congressman John Conyers. Jr. until she retired. After retiring she helped found the Rosa and Raymond Institute for Self Development. She also tried lent her help to civil rights causes, and she wrote an autobiography. Then on June 15, 1999 she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts during the civil rights movement. -
Barack Obama
Barack Obama is a very modern example of how the civil rights movement helped African Americans. On November 4, 2008 Barack Obama was elected as the 44th president, and the first African American President. Without the Civl Rights Act helping to stop work place discrimination, and the Voting Rights Act protecting everyone's voting rights we would have had to wait much longer for an African American President. -
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr, Martin Luther King Jr. was a very important person in the civil rights movement. Even though he was assassinated in the 60s his effect was felt long after. His efforts led to more opportunities for African Americans and he set an example for everyone. Even thought he was killed so long ago civil rights today would not be the same without him. He was even honored with a national holiday on January 21 every year.
