What Are the Biggest African American Civil Rights Achievements?

The African American civil rights movement is considered to have occurred in the United States from the years 1955 to 1968. There were many African American civil rights achievements that happened during this time period.

It is important to remember that African Americans - and others - are still fighting for some of their rights. We must look at the achievements that have already occurred, in order for us to learn from their example and continue to create legislation, actions, and so forth with the same goals in mind.

Brown vs. Board of Education 1954

Many people are acquainted with the case known as Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. The case was against segregated education for blacks and for whites. The U.S. Supreme Court said that having segregated education was unconstitutional, and that doing so would have detrimental effects on the black students. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said that having black and white children together in school would ultimately benefit everyone. As a consequence, the court ruled that segregation would be phased out from schools.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Rosa Parks is an extremely famous women, particularly when we talk about the civil rights movement. She refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus, which blacks were constantly expected to do at that time. She was ultimately tried and convicted. Therefore, the 381-day long boycott led by Martin Luther King, Jr. started, ultimately resulting in the end of bus segregation between blacks and whites.

1963 March on Washington

A march was organized and held in 1963 as a way of protesting the employment discrimination that existed against blacks in the workplace. Furthermore, they also grouped several other grievances into this march. They were campaigning for the following rights:

Civil rights laws to be made meaningful
Federal works program
Fair employment
Decent housing
Right to vote
Integrated education

It was here that Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. They had to fight to have all of their demands met; however, they were eventually successful.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This act, signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, was major because it covered a number of different areas of life. The blacks were not going to be fighting for specific disciplines. Rather, all of their civil rights were to be covered in this one act. This act banned discrimination based on religion, race, color, or national origin in public places and in employment practices.

Civil Rights Fights Are Still Going On

When we are talking about the African American civil rights achievements, we need to remember the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. who has an entire list of achievements for himself. He left a legacy on the world to keep on fighting for equal rights, which people did. When you remember civil rights, always remember that people are still fighting to get their rights to this day.