All Men Are Equal

America has always claimed to fight for equality by stating "all men are equal", but in the 1950's-1960's that statement seemed to be overpassed by most Americans. Our country reached the point where racism, discrimination, and segregation were tremendously affecting African Americans. Champions, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, Emmett Till, Elizabeth Eckford and many others, stood up for their own equality and most importantly the rights that Fourteenth Amendment stated that they had.

In some cases, such as what happened to Emmett Till, use tragedy and sympathy to show the world what was really happening. Fourteen year old Emmett Till was brutally murdered by older white men for saying "bye baby" to a white woman in a candy shop. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, said "instead of fainting, I realized that here's a job that I got to do now and I don't have time to cry...I've got to make a decision and my decision was that there is no way I can tell the world what I see. The world is going to have to look at this. They're going to have to help me tell the story." During Till's funeral, his mother decided to leave the casket open for all to see the severe damage those men did to this poor child. Not only did Till-Mobley publicize her son's death at the funeral, she also allowed Jet Magazine to publish pictures of Emmett Till and his mangled body. People say that Till's photograph was the first great media event of the civil rights movement.

"Separate but equal" was another policy in American public life. This meaning, whites and blacks were separated but had equal access to resources. Integration was a main point that many blacks wanted. In 1955, a school superintendent announced they were going to try to integrate some schools. The school board selected nine magnificent black students to be accepted into an all-white school. This plan didn't necessarily go well, but it did show one black student, Elizabeth Eckford, was confident and strong enough to take the cruel taunts and harsh threats and still want to attend the school.

The civil rights movement was about equality and standing up for who you are. It was about knowing that just because someone is different in a miniscule way, doesn't make it alright for someone to thrash out on them. All the people and important figures during this movement showed courage, strength, determination, and faith in their people and themselves. Equality is a very important part of our growing country and without these champions showing themes of courage and sympathy we wouldn't be where we are today, and that makes America the strong country it is today.