Obstacles In The Civil Rights Movement

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The Civil Rights Movement was full of faith, tears, pain, and racism. This movement caused an uproar that America needed for years. It took the strength of the African-American people to stand up for what was right while at the same time, being knocked down because of the color of their skin. African-Americans were and still are faced with the dilemma of being a different color from everyone else. Dr. King stated in his book ways the African-American could overcome this dilemma. First, Dr. King stated that one positive response to the dilemma is to develop a rugged sense of somebodyness (p.130). During the time of slavery, the White Americas used tactics to cause the African-Americans feel as if they were not important as a person.
Each individual African-American, no matter the riches, no matter the title, they should all be on board to achieve the common goal and stop being jealous of other African-Americans
(p.132). Complete unity was how the African-Americans were going to defeat this devilish type of discrimination amongst themselves. Third, Dr. King stated we must make full and constructive use of the freedoms we already possess (p.134). Selma is a prime example of one of the freedoms they had. Americans had the right to a peaceful protest. So Dr. King gathered his leaders and decided to march from Selma,
Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama. During this march, the African-Americans were faced with difficult decisions, but knew these decisions had to be followed through to achieve the goal that had been set into place. Dr. King stated “if the Negro does not add persistent pressure to his patient plea, he will end up empty handed…the only answer to delay, double-dealing, tokenism, and racism that will still confront is through mass nonviolent action and ballot….with nonviolent resistance, we need not submit to any wrong, nor need we resort to violence in order to right a wrong (p.137). As one reflects on this quote from Dr. King, one can’t help but go back to
DILEMMA 4 The fourth challenge that is faced with this dilemma is to unite around powerful action programs to eradicate the vestiges of racial injustice (King, M. & King,C, 2014). Dr. King is speaking on nonviolent marches and protests within the African-American communities. These types of nonviolent actions from not just the leaders, but the ones who follow them, show a true type of somebodyness. One has to truly know themselves before they can help anyone else. By joining the nonviolent Civil Rights Movement shows the true meaning of the march is shared by all the individuals that show up. By these types of marches, one is taking ownership of their heritage and are standing on the very words of the constitution that all men are created equal. Finaly, Dr. King stated the final challenge that we face as a result of our great dilemma is to be ever mindful of enlarging the whole society, and giving it a new sense of values as we seek

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