Influential Leaders During The
Civil Rights Movement
Roman Lavariega
The Civil Rights Movement was one of the biggest movements that has ever taken place in our country. When it comes to the Civil Rights Movement, many people think of African-Americans fighting for their rights, but do we ever think about the leaders during the movement? Who started the movement? Who were the leaders, and who inspired all the other African Americans to step out of their comfort zones and fight for their rights and never give up? This is a list of some influential leaders during the Civil Rights Movement who motivated people to stand up for themselves and make a change.
One of the influential leaders was an African-American seamstress, Rosa Parks. Parks is known for her brave and courageous character. According to InfoPlease on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery Alabama, Rosa left work and got on a bus and headed home. Eventually the bus became crowded, and the driver ordered Rosa to give up her seat to a white passenger. Montgomery’s buses were segregated; the front seats were for “whites only.” Blacks had to sit at the back of the bus. If buses were crowded and all the “whites only” seats were filled, black people were expected to give up their seats to them. A black person sitting while a white person stood was never acceptable in the South. Rosa was tired of this discrimination, and refused to give up her seat. Rosa Parks did what was right even though not everyone was watching. Instead of getting off the bus or finding a new seat, She stood up for herself and sat down for what was right. Rosa was extremely brave and courageous for not obeying the bus driver. During this time, disobedience to whites could lead to beatings for you, your family, or even murder. Rosa Parks was an amazing leader and
still is today. She led millions in a boycott against buses. After months of the Montgomery bus company losing thousands of dollars, the boycott finally brought an end to bus segregation, but the end of all segregation was yet to come. Without her, the whole movement might have never started if it was not for her brave standup.
Another leader during this time was Martin Luther King, Jr. It was not just that Martin Luther King became the leader of the Civil Rights Movement that made him so special and respected, it was the way in which he led the movement. According to InfoPlease, Martin stated, "Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields.” King's philosophy of "tough-mindedness and tenderheartedness" was not only highly effective, but it gave the Civil Rights Movement an inspiring moral authority and grace. Martin Luther King Jr is remembered as an influential and inspirational speaker. His brave and confident character made him a much respected leader. Martin showed courage by never giving up; he would not stop fighting for his goals and accomplishments until they would be met. He would fight until death, and that is exactly what he did. He wanted to be able to make a difference and be a hero that showed courage. Martin was a non-violent person, even when some of the violence against blacks involved use of tear gas, fire hoses and the weapons of the police. Martin treated everyone equally. In his speeches, Martin was very direct about what he wanted and spoke with a firm and confident voice that inspired and influenced people to believe that a change could be made.
16