During a recent class, we watched a documentary covering the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s. The short film was centered around the buildup and result of the March on Washington D.C.
One thing that immediately struck my attention was how the movement was saved by young people. At a time where people, specifically in Birmingham, AL., were pushing every button they could, it is amazing that young people showed up to continue the fight.
Phillip Randolph, the founder of an all-black working railroad, knew that demonstrations needed to be expanded outside of Birmingham. He specifically said that this fight was one that should be focused on Congress and other government, stemming the idea for a major march on Washington’s capital.
Randolph sent his right-hand man Bayard Rustin to Birmingham to pass this message and encourage a national fight, not just a southern one. During this time, blacks were attempting to enroll at Birmingham University and were denied due to race. This forced President John F. Kennedy to finally get involved, helping the fight.
To pull this off with national attention, the organizers needed anyone and everyone to show up. Over on the West Coast, Harry Belafonte was the “pied piper” of Civil Rights within the Art’s Community. Belafonte helped organize a plan for many famous personalities to speak, sing, and stand along-side those participating in the march to gain more attention.
On the day of the march, loads of people were swarming the nation’s capital for this peaceful demonstration. By 9:30 a.m., over 40,000 people were on the grounds. By 10:30 a.m., 100 busses an hour were arriving full.
One of the most important events of this day was the “I have a dream” speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This was King’s first start-to-finish speech televised on screens across America. As we all know, this speech and day have been remembered and noted ever since.
Following the march, proposals were presented by President Kennedy, but he soon after was assassinated. However, in the year following the march, the act was finally put into effect as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This historical event sheds much-needed light on a first amendment right that has proven its ability to work. The act of peaceful protest has forced the country to change time and time again. When people can peacefully come together as a unified body to voice their desires, action will be taken. Unfortunately, it seems our country is currently forgetting that quality as acts of violence and destruction is taking its place.
SOURCES: Video viewed in class.
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