Introduction

Racial segregation and prejudice amongst the black Americans are an important issue in the American history. The black Americans have over the years strived to ensure that they get fair treatment from their white counterparts.  This has been done through protests, civil disobedience, activism, and violence. The struggle for equal rights amongst all American citizens brought about the civil right movement which was active between the 1950s and 1960s. The blacks were determined to ensure that racial discrimination against the African-Americans would be a thing of the past. The Supreme Court ruling of 1954, in the case Brown V. the Board Of Education is seen by many as a landmark ruling with significant impact on the civil right movement struggle. It is a ruling that aimed at overturning a previous ruling that allowed “separate but equal” doctrine. Many thought that this would be significant progress in reducing the racial gap that existed between the whites and the blacks (Golub, p. 498).  Although there was some progress in promoting equality, some historians like Mark Golub still thinks that the ruling had little impact on the realization of equality. This paper will have an in-depth analysis of the case and its contribution to the modern America.

The case ruling and its impact

As aforementioned the Brown v. the Board of Education was a landmark ruling that scrapped the “separate but equal” doctrine that had earlier been passed in the Plessey v, Ferguson. The ruling required that the blacks had equal rights to those enjoyed by the whites, and there were no special facilities for the whites. It is prudent to note that the ruling required all the schools to integrate the whites and the blacks in the same schools. Brown and NAACP viewed this as a success and saw it as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the whites and black Americans. Most people believed that this ruling would help reduce racial segregation and prejudice that was rampant not only in public schools but also in other public places such as eateries and the public transport (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 674). Although most schools were slow to adhere to the ruling, the black activists found strength in this ruling, and they fought to ensure they get equality and fair treatment for the whites.

Between 1954 and 1960, there were several activities from the black activists who desperately needed change. The civil right movements were to a great extent attributed to the landmark ruling. Most of these activities were rampant in the south where the effects of racial segregation were evident, and a series of activities were staged by dedicated leaders whose intention was ensuring that racial gap between the whites and the blacks reduced substantially. Most activists believed that they had to act and force the federal government implements this ruling (Golub, p. 513).  It is worth to note that most schools and other public institutions were reluctant implementing the ruling, and hence, the blacks were angry and resulted in activism to force the integration process.

The civil right movement period witnessed the emergence of great leaders such as Martin Luther, who were in the forefront agitating for equality amongst all citizens. Martin Luther was in the centre of the Montgomery bus boycott that was aimed to send a clear message to the whites that the blacks were also equal citizens. After the boycott, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on public means was unconstitutional. This was a major milestone in the civil rights movement as this caught the attention of the whole nation. It set the tone for future activism activities that would bring racial discrimination, segregation, and prejudice to an end.  This was followed by public accommodation sit-ins in North Carolina and Georgia where black students protested racial segregation in restaurants.  This was a clear indication that the blacks were determined to get what was legally accorded to them by the Supreme Court. Dr. Martin Luther became an integral part of the civil rights movement and urged the blacks to use diplomacy rather than violent means to seek equality and integration. Leaders like Martin Luther would not be noted it not for this trademark ruling. The activists believed that what they were fighting for was their constitutional right that had been approved by the Supreme Court (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 713). Luther and other black ministers agreed to use non-violent tactics in their push for equality and integration amongst the Americans. Activists, leaders, and ministers lead the blacks in the fight for equality.

The civil rights movements realized significant achievements in its struggle for an America where all the citizens had equal rights. One of the most recognized events is the March on Washington that Luther led a group of over 200,000 blacks and gave his famous “dream speech.” The ruling was essential as it promoted unity amongst the black population and together they were able to fight the common enemy. This unity of purpose was indispensable in the struggle for equality amongst the blacks. It is prudent to note that the blacks were not only segregated in schools and other public places. The blacks were viewed as lesser citizens who were deprived of their voting rights, right to own property and equality in job opportunities (Powers, p. 30). However, the landmark ruling is considered to be a turning point where the black population realized their position in society and the need to be proactive and fight for their rights as America citizens.  Proponents of this ruling believe that the ruling was essential for the rights to black Americans enjoy in America today.

Before the ruling, the black Americans found it difficult to fight for their rights that had been missing for a long time. Racial discrimination and oppression amongst the blacks was evident and looked the order of the day. It was difficult for the blacks to unite and fight for their rights and it was normal for them taking a second fiddle from their white counterparts. Most of the blacks had been brought up during the Jim Craws Laws that had no room for equality between the whites and the blacks. These laws separated races on every imaginable plane. There were unique restaurants, food and water fountains for the whites where the blacks had no authority or right to access (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 714). The blacks were also not allowed to marry from other races or integrate in any way with the whites. Most of the black population saw this as normality and were not eager to abandon these beliefs that had been ingrained in them since birth.   The blacks felt inferior compared to the whites and felt that this was the way it was supposed to be.

The 1954 ruling is viewed by many as an eye opener that brought about the civil rights movement. It is worth to note that the movement’s objective was to change this way of thinking and set a stage where the blacks would feel recognized and part of the American citizenship. Signs of citizens’ rights amongst the blacks were evident in 1961 when education and voter registration drives in Mississippi amongst the blacks (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 694). It dawned on the blacks that voting was the only way they would get empowered. The most notable achievement of the civil right movement is the enactment of Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was an outstanding achievement especially for the blacks in the south who had over the years been the main victims of racial segregation and discrimination (Golub, p. 517). The state laws of the south had approved racial segregation of the blacks from their white counterparts and this legislation brought to an end this discrimination.

The civil rights movement ensured the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed any discrimination based on race, religion, color, place of origin or sex. It also emphasized the need for integration in schools and other public places where segregation had previously been rampant. It is also this legislation that accorded voting rights, equal employment opportunities and right to own properties amongst the blacks. Most women and other minority groups got job opportunities in the main factories and offices that were previously reserved for the whites.  It is regarded as one of the most notable piece of legislation that aimed at protecting the citizens from the government and also protecting them from fellow citizens (Bruce, p. 330). The Act prohibited the government from reducing any citizen to a second-class citizen because of skin color or the race. Also, all the citizens were made equal by the Act and had equal rights to participate in elections and other important policies of national importance.  It is on this premises that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other legislation that promoted equality and citizenship were enacted. The 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the US constitution were also made possible by the commitment and determination of the civil right activists (Powers, p. 48).  The 1954 ruling in the case of Brown V Board of Education is said to be a significant milestone to the success of the civil right movement.  The recent election of president Barrack Obama, the first black American president, is a good indication of the societal gains made by the Americans in the pursuit of equality.  In essence, civil right movements are considered to have made an immense contribution to the concept of equal citizenship that is currently enjoyed by the Americans today.

Criticism of the case ruling

Despite the major achievements that are associated with the Brown v. Board of Education ruling of 1954, most historians led by Mark Golub have skeptical view of the long-term legacies brought about by the ruling(Golub, p. 498). They argue that the ruling failed to achieve racial integration but rather enhanced segregation. It is also the opinion of these protagonists that the revolution brought about economic meltdown as well as increased hatred amongst the Americans who previously lived in peace and harmony (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 734). In fact, they argue that racial segregation and discrimination in America is prevalent in modern America as it was, or even worse, before the 1954 ruling.

Most of the critics of the 1954 ruling in the case Brown vs. the Board of Education argue that the case brought about the black power. They argue that the black power was pragmatically futile and is based on dogmatism and fanaticism.  Although they acknowledge the existence of racial prejudice and discrimination, historians like Golub and others fault the approach adopted by the blacks in fighting for equality and eradication of racial problems that had been critical of the American society (HENDERSON, p. 83). The approach by most black activists revolved through litigation, legislation, and alliances with white rebels and other minority groups. There were also elements of bitterness and anger from the black activists that brought more harm than good to the American society.

Apart from Martin Luther and other black ministers who adopted non-violent tactics in the fight for equality, most of the black people fighting segregation used violent means and defense mechanism to fight for equality. The emergence of The Black Panther Party in the 1960s, led by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, is an indication of how violent the black separates were. The group promoted violent means in agitating for civil rights, and this was a step back as far as integration is concerned. It is prudent to note that the intention of the ruling was to promote unity amongst the American citizens. Nevertheless, the Black Panther Party was determined to get equality through any means including violence and protests. They were the proponents of ‘’Black power’’ who firmly believed that the whites had robbed Africans their heritage and dignity.

Malcolm X was the father of ‘’ Black Power’’ and was against the efforts of Martin Luther, who advocated for non-violence means in pursuit of equality in America. He strongly argued that it was unrealistic that black Americans would be fully recognized as equal to the whites in the American society. The party only accommodated the blacks and encouraged other minority groups to form such parties and later form alliances to fight for the rights of the minorities. Malcolm X was determined to use every possible mean to ensure that the blacks are liberated from the bondage of racism and segregation by the whites (Bruce, p. 338).  However, the formation of these separate groups and alliances was against the spirit of integration but rather enhanced segregation. Proponents of black power were disillusioned with fanaticism and wanted revenge against the whites.

As the protests and activists activities continued, there was increasing support for both the whites and black groups who advocated for their rights (Golub, p. 498). The whites also formed their groups that would repeal any efforts by the blacks to support integration and the gap between the whites and the blacks broadened. It leads to the emergence of more organizations such as CORE, SNCC, NAACP and National Committee on Civil Rights. The membership in these groups increased at an alarming rate and consequently the level of segregation also reached unwanted heights. Increased incidences of violence and deaths were evident as a result of the ruling. For instance, the death of the 14-year old boy in a public transport sector is a good example of the negative impacts brought about by the ruling (HENDERSON, p.91).

The ruling also had adverse economic impacts to the livelihood of Americans. For instance, the blacks from the south formed a group, Freedom Riders, which advocated for the rights for the blacks. The group would also set up communities through which money would circulate via African American owned businesses. The group ensured that the money would not get to the whites but instead would only be beneficial to the blacks only. This was against the spirit of integration upon which the famous ruling was made. It is also wise to note that the violence and protests by the blacks were met with retaliation from the whites (Bruce, p. 341). These resulted in a bad environment for businesses and other economic activities hence low economic development. Malcolm X also brought about the Islamic religion in the American territory which accelerated the level of segregation in the country. The fierceness and bitterness amongst the blacks were rampant such that businesses and other economic activities were always interrupted by protests and violence.

The increased segregation amongst the African Americans and white Americans is also evident in the case of Carlos and Smith during the Olympic Games. ‘’ The Smith-Carlos Podium salute’’ has a major significance to the aspect of civil right movements. The two black Americans after winning the sprinter race made a salute to show their might as blacks rather than as Americans. Although the two sprinters were later sent home by the whites, it was the wrong place for them to show their protest (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 704).  The two sprinters protested during the Olympic competition rather than being together as an American Olympic team.  The use of the black glove by the two athletes was symbolic of the obsession of the ‘’Black Power’’ which was at its height during the completion. The 1954 ruling brought about complete segregation between the whites and the blacks such that every American would do anything to support his race regardless of the situation and the context. This is explained by Smith in a TV interview where he confirms that the podium salute was a protest against segregation by the whites. He argues that he together with Carlos formed an arch of unity and power. He terms the protest as the only way that the black Americans would reclaim their lost glory. Besides accelerating segregation amongst the Americans, the ruling also brought about identity crisis amongst the Americans. From the Smith-Carlos experience, it is evident that the two sprinters were torn between their race and nationality. This implies that the famous ruling brought more problems than offering solutions to the American society. It had significantly dented patriotism amongst the American citizens.

The resistance to segregation was rampant to the southern states where several federal laws allowed segregation. This implied that there was more resistance in the south as compared to other states. Several groups in the south were against the desegregation process. They identified this as a threat to the economic development of such regions. The increased instances of violence were a threat to economic development in these regions, and they viewed it essential to limit desegregation in public schools (Golub, p. 525). The increased pressure threatened closure of some schools as many whites failed to pay fees for students learning in the desegregated institutions. Most white parents would not agree to take their students to desegregated schools and hence there were high risks that such schools would not be sustainable. This made it difficult to manage public education which was critical to the economy of the country.

In essence, the Brown’s desegregation mandate can be said to be self-defeating. The presence of the token desegregation proposals especially from the south was intended to support segregation. This was successful approach by the segregation Crusaders and was well within the legal provisions and in no way, they contravened the court directions (Coleman, Nee and Rubinowitz, p. 684). Even after intensive resistance and activists’ violence, most of the schools, especially in the south, remain segregated, and this is defended by the concept of tokenism. In essence, critics of Brown’s case ruling assert that the ruling failed to bring about integration but instead advanced segregation and racism in America.  This explains why racism in America is prevalent to date despite significant legislations emanating from the civil rights movements.

According to Golub and other like-minded historians, the 1954 ruling and the civil rights movement did not achieve much as far as integration is concerned.  In fact, they assert that the ruling just widened the racial gap between the whites and the blacks (Golub, p. 510). Also, the ruling had adverse economic repercussions brought about by the resistance and protests that spread like bushfire in most states and more so in the southern. This explains why racism is still a major problem in the modern America.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the civil rights movement has made a significant contribution to the making of the modern day America. Through hard work, determination and selfless efforts of leaders like Martin Luther and Malcolm X, we have the America we have today. Although the ruling in Brown’s case had significance in the achievements of the civil right movement, it is prudent to note that there are loopholes to the success of the ruling (Bruce, p. 348). The ruling led to the emergence of real leaders such as Martin Luther, who wanted a disciplined approach in the fight for equality that was much needed in the society. However, Malcolm X and his black power had a retrogressive impact on the integration spirit upon which the ruling was reached at. The approach took the segregation to greater heights, lead to increased violence and economic meltdown in the American economy (HENDERSON, P. 83). It is, however, essential to understanding that major legislations such as civil rights act of 1964 and voting right act of 1965 are to a great extent as a result of the civil right movement which received a significant boost after the famous ruling.

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