Civil Rights Movement in 1968

 Photo Source: BBC News

The Civil Rights Movement in 1968 was marked by both progress and tragedy. On one hand, many significant advances were made in the fight for racial equality, but on the other hand, the movement lost one of its most prominent and influential leaders in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the major events of 1968 was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act. This legislation, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11th, prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and sex. This was a significant step forward in the fight for racial equality, as it helped to address the issue of housing discrimination and provide greater access to homeownership for people of color.

Another important event was the formation of the Black Power Movement. The Black Power Movement was a cultural and political movement that sought to empower Black people and promote self-determination and pride in their African heritage. The movement, which began to gain momentum in the mid-1960s, advocated for more militant and radical tactics than the traditional Civil Rights Movement. One of the most famous examples of the Black Power Movement was the Black Panthers, who advocated for self-defense and community control.

However, the most impactful event of 1968 was the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4th. King, who had been at the forefront of the civil rights movement and the fight for equality for African Americans, was shot and killed while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His death sparked riots and protests in cities across the United States, and left the Civil Rights Movement without one of its most prominent and influential leaders.

Despite this tragedy, the Civil Rights Movement continued to make progress in 1968. Civil rights activists and leaders such as Jesse Jackson, Ralph Abernathy, and Coretta Scott King stepped forward to continue Martin Luther King Jr.'s work. Additionally, many African Americans continued to organize and fight for equal rights on a grassroots level.

In conclusion, the Civil Rights Movement in 1968 was marked by both progress and tragedy. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Black Power Movement were significant steps forward in the fight for racial equality, but the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was a major setback. Nevertheless, the Civil Rights Movement continued to push for change and make progress, as activists and leaders stepped forward to continue the fight for racial equality.