new approaches to civil rights

Quick Write 5-20-10 Arizona is the first state to demand that

immigrants meet federal requirements to carry identity documents legitimizing their presence on American soil.

Do you believe a state should have the right to do this? Or should this be a federal (national) issue?

Affirmative Action• Although most of the legal forms of racism

and discrimination had been dismantled, many African Americans felt little difference in their daily lives

• Most felt they still lacked access to good jobs and adequate schooling

• As part of this movement they looked towards a new initiative, affirmative action

• This called for companies and industries doing business with federal government to actively recruit African Americans

• Later this was expanded to include other minority groups and women

Affirmative Action

• Supporters argued that the policy that because so few companies had hired from these groups that there was little chance to develop necessary job skills

• Critics of this considered this “reverse discrimination,” claiming that white workers were kept from jobs, promotions, and a place in schools because a number had been set aside for minorities or women

Equal Access to Education• By the 1970’s African

American leaders pushed harder for educational improvements

• During the 1960’s many of the schools had remained segregated

• So NAACP pushed for a new policy of “busing” or transporting children to outside of their neighborhood to go to school

White Flight• Many whites

responded to this by taking their kids out of public schools

• Nearly 20,000 whites students left Boston’s public school system for private schools

Hispanic American’s Organize• Hispanic American’s also worked for greater rights during this period

• By the 1960’s about 3 million Hispanics lived in the United States

• Hispanics came from countries like Cuba and Mexico to flee political regimes or to find better jobs

• The largest group was Mexican Americans, many who arrived during WWII to work on the huge farms in the South and West

Hispanic American’s Organize

Hispanic American’s Organize• Many Hispanics would arrive

illegally as well, crossing the U.S.-Mexican border with the help of “coyotes,” guides who charged huge sums of money for their services

• Due to their lack of legal protection, many of these workers were exploited and forced in to poor working conditions and small pay

Cesar Chavez

• One of the biggest champions for the rights of farm workers is Cesar Chavez

• He would organize strikes against California growers demanding union representation, increased wages, and better benefits

"...there has to be someone who is willing to do it, who is willing to take whatever risks are required. I don't think it

can be done with money alone. The person has to be dedicated to the task. There

has to be some other motivation.“

- Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez• When employers resisted,

Chavez would enlist college students, churches, and civil rights groups to boycotts and other non-violent methods

• especially table grapes, one of California’s largest agricultural products

• Chavez would help create a new organization in support of the workers, the United Farm Workers, UFW

Cesar Chavez• The strength of the

new union helped to ensure boycotts would continue

• The boycotts finally ended in 1970, when growers agreed to contract wages and improved working conditions

Growing Latin Political Activism• Hispanic American’s

became more politically active during the 1960’s and 1970’s

• A new political part, La Raza, or the United People worked to organize Mexican American voters

• Goal was to push for better job training programs and greater access to financial institutions.

Growing Latin Political Activism• One issue both Hispanic students

and political leaders promoted was bilingualism

• This was practice of teaching immigrant students in their own language while they learn English

• Many Hispanics argued that they were at disadvantage with native English speakers

• Congress supported their arguments and created the Bilingual Educational Act

Native Americans

• Native American’s in the 1970’s were one of America’s smallest minority groups, less than 1%

• Protestors to Native American rights would create the Declaration of Indian Purpose, calling for policies to create greater economic opportunities on reservations

Native Americans• AIM- American Indian

Movement was organized in 1968 to fight high unemployment, inadequate housing, and racial discrimination

• In a symbolic protest, AIM occupied the abandoned federal prison, Alcatraz

Native Americans• Native American would fall short of

achieving all of their goals, but did win some

• Increasing funding for education,• Won better water and land rights

through the federal court system• Through these protest many native

American reservations have seen improvements

• More recently, due to their sovereignty, the establishment of gambling casinos has led to a prosperous enterprises