The length between 1960 and 1970 was marred by racism, violence and assassination of great leaders like Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Inspired by Kennedy’s appeals for youthful idealism, civil rights movements swung into action. Among the famous groups consist of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) whose main goal was to do away with segregation. Out of these struggles, the ethnic minorities stood to gain some benefits as discussed in this paper.
Beneficial Properties of the Conflict Against Racial Segregation
Among the beneficial properties that saw positive results in the conflict against racial segregation is the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act was passed via the Congress after being convinced by the then President Johnson (Shi, & George p.1025). The act provided a basis of affirmative action for ideals of equal opportunity, democracy and human dignity, a year after the act was passed. Organizations and business that promoted racial segregation were sued under the act. It also gave go-ahead for the creation of Equal Employment Opportunities Commission that accounted for equal treatment of employment applicants, regardless of gender, race or national origin.
Revision of the Immigration and Nationality Services Act
Another gain was the revision of the Immigration and Nationality Services Act of 1965 that saw equal treatment of all races and nationalities. The discriminatory annual quotas based on nationality were also abolished (Shi, & George p.1032). These new laws gave an equal chance to Latin and Asian Americans to become American citizens.
The Right to Vote
Lastly, the blacks and Hispanics got the right to vote after the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. Areas that had long experienced racial discrimination were now eligible for voting. The attorney general sent federal officials to register citizens for voting (Shi, & George p.1032). This move attracted more than 250,000 African Americans to register for voting in various southern states.
In conclusion, the ethnic minorities succeeded in bringing equality with the white counterparts through great struggle ((Shi, et.al 1027-1040). The main drivers for their struggle were racial violence and Vietnam War.
Work cited
Shi, David, E and George Brown. Tindall. America: the essential learning edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2015. Print.
