The Movement, as it was called during the 1950s and 1960s consisted of courageous AfricanAmerican men and women but also by college students and religious leaders all of whom were of a different race. These activists of change and equality exercised the tactics of legal challenges, civil protests including sitins, marches, and freedom rides, and other initiatives in their efforts that AfricanAmericans would receive equal opportunity and protection in the United States. Tens of thousands of people of all races risked their lives, with hopes of building a union for racial equality that could not possibly be ignored. The Civil Rights movement in the 50s and 60s involved blood, sweat and tears of many individuals, many people became divided by their individual views on certain ideas, race, class and even gender. However, the movement resulted in a more united America that incorporated persons of various races, classes and genders. This ‘dream’ Dr. King spoke about, only became a reality because of the common purpose each individual had, which was achieved as a result of their bravery. It is easy to forget in today's era of more covert discrimination, that the choice to voice your opinion in unison for change was a choice that could result in death. Those were the stakes during the 1950s and 1960s in the United States of America. The modern Civil Rights Movement began in the 1950s when returning African American veterans from World War II demanded equal rights. Author and historian Martha Biondi stated “ because of the war time disturbance the NAACP benefited. Their membership escalated from 54,000 to over 500,000 giving Civil Rights leaders more power and a large team from which to bargain with.”1 ...
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