Social movements have significantly promoted the eradication of segregation and discrimination pushed toward the black community. Pioneers of civil rights movements, such as Martin Luther King and Huey P. Newton, helped establish a change in the history of white privilege (Dreier, 2013). The Martin Luther King Jr. movement and the Black Panther Party had an extraordinary impact on the African American community, considering they provided a platform for African Americans to express their grievances and fight for their rights (Potorti, 2017). Therefore, social movements such as the Black Panther Party and the Martin Luther King movement positively impacted the lives of people of color, considering that they helped secure voting rights, better housing, education, employment and pride in the cultural heritage of the black community.
Formation of Social movements
In a world of utopia, social movements would be unnecessary, considering that every human being would be accorded deserved respect and rights. However, the imbalances in American society led to the development of the civil rights movement to help establish a balance between how different ethnic groups are treated (Potorti, 2017). The Black Panther party was one significant social movement formed by Huey P Newton and his friend Bobby Seale to end all oppression against people of color (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). This movement facilitated change during a white supremacy era whereby survival for black people’s agenda was thin.
One of the foundational bases for forming the Black Panther party was the increased police brutality, extrajudicial killings and pending gun control bill in Oakland, California. Moreover, the Party sought to protect African Americans’ rights and ensure they were treated fairly and given the same opportunities as white citizens (Jackie, n.d). Through their Ten Point Program, the Panthers demanded access to housing, education, employment, and an end to police brutality (Jackie, n.d). The Party wanted to end the institutional racism and oppression of black people and challenge the government’s prejudices and structures that had marginalized the community. The Party’s activism and visibility sparked a larger social movement for Black Power and inspired many other black liberation organizations across the country.
Similarly, Martin Luther King’s social movement was established due to the endless discrimination faced by the black community. In 1955, a woman named Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing t move to the back of the bus where seats were segregated for black people. This action led to the growth of segregation debates around racial groups (Dreier, 2013). Such discrimination motivated King to fight for equal and sustainable economic and political power distribution among the different ethnic groups. Economic exploitation, poor wages and housing were radical in the ghettos where most blacks lived, enhancing white supremacy motives. Therefore, in 1965, he launched the Southern Christian Leadership (SCLC) movement, which would aid peaceful protests against oppression (Dreier, 2013). The need for these social movements was created by the significant economic and political powers between the black and white communities resulting in significant discrimination.
The Impact of Social Movements
The Black Panther Party’s main goal was to protect the rights and interests of African-Americans in the United States. The Black Panther Party was the most influential black liberation movement in the United States that emerged in 1966, and its impact on the black community is still felt today (Potorti, 2017). The Party’s leadership organized and mobilized the African-American community to fight for their freedom and sense of belonging. Through this, they hoped to bring attention to the issues faced by African-Americans, such as police brutality and racial discrimination. The protesters shared their ideologies through organized rallies, protests, and demonstrations to draw attention to the issues and to demand justice (Jackie, n.d). This strategy enabled the black community to discover their worth and human rights, a foundational basis for equity. The protests enabled the people to realize they were treated unfairly and deserved better, which was instrumental in fighting for change.
The Party also aimed to create an environment of pride and unity among African-Americans. The Black Panther Party was also influential in the development of black culture. They embraced the values of black power, self-determination, and pride in African-American culture. The Black Panther Party went beyond this and sought to address economic, social and political issues (Jackie, n.d). They created a 10-point program outlining their demands, including full employment, decent housing, and an end to police brutality, freedom for all black people and the right to bear arms (Jackie, n.d). Although these demands started as mere policies without basis, they helped change the standards of living after they were implemented since the movement attracted global interest resulting in the pressure for change.
The Black Panther Party was the first organized black militant group in the United States. They were outspoken in their criticism of the government and police and sought to use their activism to empower African-Americans. They also provided social services for their community through a group called the survival program, which provided services such as free breakfast and health clinics for all children (Jackie, n.d). The breakfast program was operated in a small catholic church and focused on feeding thousands of poor and hungry children with breakfast each day (Potorti, 2017). The impact of this program shamed the government. It implemented a new directive for all schools to provide breakfast and other programs such as transportation assistance, free shoes and school fees, which benefited the community since most children from the black communities learned in public institutions.
The free clinics also highlighted the government’s failures and providing care for the people. The clinics were established to provide free care for all those in need and improved healthcare. In addition, the Black Panther Party also improved African-Americans’ political representation (Potorti, 2017). They encouraged African-Americans to register to vote and participate in the political process. They worked to promote the election of African-American candidates and bring attention to racial inequality issues in the political system. For instance, through this Party, Lionel Wilson became the first black person to hold a government office as a mayor (Jackie, n.d). This strategy solidified the fight for equity and made the people relevant in their quest for equity, considering that they had proven meritocracy in everything they did.
The Party helped construct better housing for the people of color and settlement of the displaced citizens in the US. The Party became a universally responsive movement since it considered the needs of the people of color and other marginalized communities, including the Latinos. The movement helped establish over 300 units for displaced and homeless individuals, eradicating dilapidated downtowns (Jackie, n.d). Additionally, it established better employment opportunities for the people by creating new jobs within Oakland for the unemployed and poor (Jackie, n.d). This recognition legitimized the people of color as a working-class society.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Movement
Martin Luther King’s social movement radicalized efforts to end racial segregation and social injustices and maintain peace. The Martin Luther King Jr. movement profoundly impacted the African American community in the United States (Dreier, 2013). His message of non-violence, justice, and equality inspired a generation of African Americans to fight against systemic racism and oppression they faced (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). The movement led to several legal and social changes that helped improves the lives of African Americans and other people of color.
The most significant impact of the Martin Luther King Jr. movement was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places, such as hotels, restaurants, and theatres (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). It also made it illegal to discriminate in the workplace, education, housing, and other areas of society (Dreier, 2013). This strategy was a major victory for the civil rights movement, as it eliminated the legal barriers that had been in place for generations. This new statute benefited the people of color since they could now get employed, access public resources and experience less shunning, which helped establish confidence and economic growth.
Like the Black Panther Movement, Martin Luther King’s movement helped legalize voting rights for people of color. The reason is that the movement also helped bring about the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which made it illegal to discriminate against African Americans when registering to vote (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). Before this act, many states had policies that made it difficult or impossible for African Americans to register and cast their ballots. The Voting Rights Act also outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes, and other tactics used to suppress the African American vote (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). Therefore, the people could vote for their preferred candidate whose manifesto is related to the community. This decision enabled many black people to run for government offices and enhanced representation in parliament.
The movement also helped to empower African Americans and created a sense of pride and self-worth within the black community. Before the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans were often treated as second-class citizens and were subjected to racism and discrimination daily (Dreier, 2013). Through the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, African Americans took pride in their identity and fought for their rights (Dreier, 2013). This newfound sense of pride and empowerment made it possible for African Americans to pursue higher education, enter new professions, and become community leaders.
King’s movement helped establish a policy that was geared toward eradicating poverty. The movement held countless series of protests to pressure the white house to become proactive in the war against poverty. These protests inspired President Kennedy and Johnson to declare war on poverty, which helped establish a better strategy for ending economic disparity (Dreier, 2013). Their efforts led to the recognition of African American garbage workers union, which supported efforts towards documenting the people living below the poverty line. This strategy helped establish better approaches to enhance poverty eradication efforts (Dreier, 2013). The reason is that the movement also helped bring about employment reforms. Before the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans were often discriminated against in the workplace. The movement helped bring about legal changes that allowed African Americans to gain access to better-paying jobs and to be treated fairly in the workplace.
The movement also helped bring about much-needed reform in the criminal justice system. Prior to the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans were disproportionately arrested, incarcerated, and subjected to harsh punishments (Dreier, 2013). The movement helped to bring about changes in laws that allowed for fairer treatment of African Americans in the criminal justice system (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). This effort was integral in ensuring that black people get justice due to the extrajudicial killings and the other impunities they were subjected to for a long time due to the dominance of the whites supremacy.
The movement also helped to create a platform for African American artists, writers, and musicians to express themselves. Initially, African American art, music, and literature were largely ignored by the dominant white culture (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). The movement helped to create an environment where African American artists, writers, and musicians could freely express themselves and be heard. Some of the movements established included the black arts movement that focused on protecting the authenticity and validity of black American art to ensure the standards are maintained and the art gains international recognition (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). This reform was integral in enhancing the black culture and maintaining the heritage of this community.
The movement also helped to bring about reforms in education. Before the Civil Rights Movement, African American students were often taught in separate, often inadequate schools. The movement helped to bring about legal changes that desegregated schools and provided equal educational opportunities (Dreier, 2013). In the aftermath of the movement, African American students could attend the same schools as white students and access the same resources (Dreier, 2013). This mainstream strategy allowed African American students to gain a better education and prepare for a successful future.
The Civil Rights Movement also helped to increase awareness of racial disparities in the United States. It highlighted the need for greater economic, social, and political equality for all Americans. This group helped to spark a broader dialogue about race and racism and encouraged the general public to begin to address the issue in a meaningful way (Van Ackeren & Archer, 2018). The movement also helped spark a broader movement for civil rights worldwide (Dreier, 2013). Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement inspired people in other countries to stand up for their rights. This included people in South Africa, India, and other countries who were facing similar struggles for equality (Dreier, 2013). This strategy was integral, considering that it gave the people the confidence to fight for equity and eradicate subjective leadership at once.
The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary organization that helped end discrimination among people of color. They aimed to fight against police brutality, poverty, and racial oppression. They set up community programs such as free health clinics and breakfast programs which contributed to the well-being of the black community. They also advocated for black empowerment and self-determination. Similarly, the Martin Luther King Jr. movement was a major turning point for the black community as it was the first time they had a unified voice to fight for their civil rights. Additionally, they helped create a sense of pride and empowerment within the black community. These campaigns led to an increase in political participation and black-owned businesses. Therefore, the Martin Luther King Jr. movement and the Black Panther Party had an extraordinary impact on the political and economic stability of the people of color.
References
Dreier, P. (2013). Martin Luther King Was a Radical, Not a Saint. Huffington Post. Web.
Jackie. (n.d). The rise of the Black Panther Party.
Potorti, M. (2017). “Feeding the revolution”: The Black panther party, hunger, and community survival. Journal of African American Studies, 21(1), 85-110. Web.
Van Ackeren, M., & Archer, A. (2018). Self-sacrifice and moral philosophy. International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 26(3), 301-307. Web.