Civil rights and liberal activism
The struggles of the mid twentieth century derived from Brown vs Board of Education (1954) that separate is not equal, which followed through with the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955) along with many other significant factors that played part in dismantling the system of Jim Crow laws. A women by the name Hattye Gatson talks about her thoughts on this movement and what they mean to her. The yearning for racial and economical equality was not going to come by so easily with many southerners disapproving of the standards that African Americans were taking to become equal. Hyatt also believes in helping others voice their thoughts because everyone should have a say. But southern states took grim actions to prevent colored people from acquiring or even having the slightest thought about equality that was punishable and for some extensive measures of brutality were pursued. But the unique value of the movement was that is was able to bring people from different classes and backgrounds together to eliminate Jim Crow laws, lynching and other crimes afflicted towards activist of any color. With the organizations of local groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Congress of Racial Equality( CORE), Women’s Political Council (WPC), Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); many activist young or old were determined to change the role of African Americans in society, while also leaning on women for political and social courses. Like Hattye she wanted to be part this national phenoninum sweeping the nation. The time had come to put pressure on the government to ensure equality to all citizens (655).
In her oral letter concerning the issue of segregation and her motivation to get involved in the civil rights activism for the challenge to end injustice and segregation, Hattye Gatson had a sense of urge to participate in the mass involvement to change the social and political views of American society portrayed towards African Americans and women as well. Having grown up in Durant, Mississippi, she had to learn to coexist with white southerners because of her working experience in homes. As long as people stayed in their section of public facilities there were no major problems(663). Gatson also thought it shouldn't matter what the color of your skin was because people were people, it didn't matter what you looked liked. But other people( southerners) didn't think like Hattye did. The broadcasting news that was being reported covered the series of unfortunate events happening in Alabama and other southern states, regarded as hostile, careless, and cruel. While the organization activist went towards a peaceful approach like sit ins, boycotts and freedom rides. It was the rides that persuaded Haytte to join and become an activist herself. To not stand up for a cause that was undeniably injustice would have been erratic. With the cooperation of the SNCC, it gave young African Americans, women, and the poor, opportunities for political action (661). Allowing for many college students to gain tactics into the process of social patterns and racial segregation such as confrontations with the educational system (656). The growth of this act gained new followers and became viewed as a Northerner pursuit (660). Although these organizations were becoming very well known, the activist from the southern states had to be mindful of the patronized, ridiculed, and constant threats of white supremacists(662).
Hattye understood the connection between segregation and racism on the bases of separation and the right to vote. Like many people, she defined segregation as the separation of colored people from white by the signs that hung on the doors of restaurants, bars, bathroom and etc. But when it came to racism she defined it as not having the right to voice your opinions and getting the chance to vote on issues that involved everyone. Hattye believed that people were people, which meant no one was greater than another and that everyone was just as important to have the right to register to vote. Because the only racial association in town making the decisions were the white folks (663). As African Americans there was no choice of being part of the Civil Right movement whether people wanted it or not, it was the color of your skin that determined one’s participation. There was nothing wrong with that but the fact that people were being horrifically brutal to anyone who participated in any kind of motivational campaign. But those who marched towards the right of freedom and equality, it didn't matter if they were white, Italian, jewish, young or old and etc. These dedicated young people fought with dignity, hope, and the will to change their lives and the lives of others for the better. But to stray away from the social aspect of the Civil Rights movement, the economical state that several African Americans had to deal with was the higher paying war work in World War II. Many of which African Americans were less racially targeted(655).
As Hattye entered the civil rights movement, her identity as a women was shaped by the perseverance of others.Like many women who entered this movement they found themselves transformed by the experiences they underwent. For many young women, these organizations gave them power to do things they could had never of done before. They were being given the ability to have a political say, whether it was in the organizations themselves or public spaces like churches(655). Their social lives were taking public action by With more and more women joining the efforts, it began to be difficult to hold on to a job, many of who protested were being fired. But that didn’t stop women like Anne Moody from doing the right thing (662). Working for whites many began to see the economic disparity, doing anything and everything for only a couple dollars a week was a burden.(662).
That was a whole new revolution of women and they were going to everything in their might to make sure that the equality that they had been searching for not only for African Americas but for the transformation of these women not only by their race but by their sex was very radical.This source is important for understanding the affect that the civil rights movement had on women and women of color, to help better fathom what was being done to help them gain political and social consciousness, while also helping end segregation. This new revolution of women began to sweep the nations by organizing, protesting, and defining what women could really do. Not only did they do what they believed in their hearts was the justice thing to do but in the process they also helped themselves identity who they were. Women showed how one could be of use by inspiring others into putting pressure on the government to make the decisions that people wanted (655). Women were more than just a pretty face, they were a sign of anything is possible. That without women the educational, economical, political and most importantly the freedom of choice would not exist for women or people of color.
Source: From the Civil Rights Documentation Project at http://www.usm.edu/crdp/html/transcripts/manuscript-gatson_hattye.shtml.
In her oral letter concerning the issue of segregation and her motivation to get involved in the civil rights activism for the challenge to end injustice and segregation, Hattye Gatson had a sense of urge to participate in the mass involvement to change the social and political views of American society portrayed towards African Americans and women as well. Having grown up in Durant, Mississippi, she had to learn to coexist with white southerners because of her working experience in homes. As long as people stayed in their section of public facilities there were no major problems(663). Gatson also thought it shouldn't matter what the color of your skin was because people were people, it didn't matter what you looked liked. But other people( southerners) didn't think like Hattye did. The broadcasting news that was being reported covered the series of unfortunate events happening in Alabama and other southern states, regarded as hostile, careless, and cruel. While the organization activist went towards a peaceful approach like sit ins, boycotts and freedom rides. It was the rides that persuaded Haytte to join and become an activist herself. To not stand up for a cause that was undeniably injustice would have been erratic. With the cooperation of the SNCC, it gave young African Americans, women, and the poor, opportunities for political action (661). Allowing for many college students to gain tactics into the process of social patterns and racial segregation such as confrontations with the educational system (656). The growth of this act gained new followers and became viewed as a Northerner pursuit (660). Although these organizations were becoming very well known, the activist from the southern states had to be mindful of the patronized, ridiculed, and constant threats of white supremacists(662).
Hattye understood the connection between segregation and racism on the bases of separation and the right to vote. Like many people, she defined segregation as the separation of colored people from white by the signs that hung on the doors of restaurants, bars, bathroom and etc. But when it came to racism she defined it as not having the right to voice your opinions and getting the chance to vote on issues that involved everyone. Hattye believed that people were people, which meant no one was greater than another and that everyone was just as important to have the right to register to vote. Because the only racial association in town making the decisions were the white folks (663). As African Americans there was no choice of being part of the Civil Right movement whether people wanted it or not, it was the color of your skin that determined one’s participation. There was nothing wrong with that but the fact that people were being horrifically brutal to anyone who participated in any kind of motivational campaign. But those who marched towards the right of freedom and equality, it didn't matter if they were white, Italian, jewish, young or old and etc. These dedicated young people fought with dignity, hope, and the will to change their lives and the lives of others for the better. But to stray away from the social aspect of the Civil Rights movement, the economical state that several African Americans had to deal with was the higher paying war work in World War II. Many of which African Americans were less racially targeted(655).
As Hattye entered the civil rights movement, her identity as a women was shaped by the perseverance of others.Like many women who entered this movement they found themselves transformed by the experiences they underwent. For many young women, these organizations gave them power to do things they could had never of done before. They were being given the ability to have a political say, whether it was in the organizations themselves or public spaces like churches(655). Their social lives were taking public action by With more and more women joining the efforts, it began to be difficult to hold on to a job, many of who protested were being fired. But that didn’t stop women like Anne Moody from doing the right thing (662). Working for whites many began to see the economic disparity, doing anything and everything for only a couple dollars a week was a burden.(662).
That was a whole new revolution of women and they were going to everything in their might to make sure that the equality that they had been searching for not only for African Americas but for the transformation of these women not only by their race but by their sex was very radical.This source is important for understanding the affect that the civil rights movement had on women and women of color, to help better fathom what was being done to help them gain political and social consciousness, while also helping end segregation. This new revolution of women began to sweep the nations by organizing, protesting, and defining what women could really do. Not only did they do what they believed in their hearts was the justice thing to do but in the process they also helped themselves identity who they were. Women showed how one could be of use by inspiring others into putting pressure on the government to make the decisions that people wanted (655). Women were more than just a pretty face, they were a sign of anything is possible. That without women the educational, economical, political and most importantly the freedom of choice would not exist for women or people of color.
Source: From the Civil Rights Documentation Project at http://www.usm.edu/crdp/html/transcripts/manuscript-gatson_hattye.shtml.
sIGNIFICANT qUOTE
" If you cannot fly, then run,
If you cannnot run, then walk,
If you cannot walk then crawl,
but whatver you do
you have to keep on moving forward."
-Martin Luther King Jr
In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's quote above he identifies the spirit of moving by flying, running, walking, and crawling. The figues of motions. What he is saying that even when you are at your weakest that you should always keep moving forward. The Civil Rights Movement was an effort that took great odds to overcome, but activist never gave up. They made sure that progress no matter how slow it was, that it was still progressing towards the rights of equality. This is one of my favorite Martin Luther Kings Jr's motivational quotes because even today that quote can be relevant to any situation that people are dealing with. You cant change the past but you can shape for future and that is what Martin Luther King Jr and activist did. Like Hattye this serves as yet another motivation to join the activist groups. Many women identity were shaped by their forces of acting out in sit ins, freedom rides, activist and leaders. Like Haytte they wanted to shape their future and demand for justice.