How to Study Civil Rights

Civil rights is a political concept as opposed to human rights that you have just because you're human. The nation you live in extends civil rights to you. Rights such as freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial are givens in developed nations. Studying the history of civil rights strengthens you to protest violations at home and around the world.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Understand the philosophical theories behind civil rights. John Stuart Mill wrote an influential book called "On Liberty" in 1859 on freedom of the individual. Later Wesley Newcomb Hohfeld, John Rawls and Robert Nozick wrote specifically about civil rights.
2. Learn about the court case "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka." In 1954 the judge ruled the separation of black and white students in the schools still widespread then went against the constitutional value of equality. It paved the way for the civil rights movement in America.
3. Read about Martin Luther King's life and work. Though he wasn't the only activist for African American civil rights at the time, he was the most prominent. Besides being inspirational, his speeches give you an idea of what life was like then for African Americans.
4. Study the Civil Rights Movement as a whole to understand how blacks built support for their cause. Begin with Rosa Parks, who inspired Dr. King and is called "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement." Check out the links on the Library of Congress website.
5. Examine the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Signed by Lyndon Johnson on July 2, it was a direct result of the "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka" case and civil rights agitators. It outlawed segregation in schools and other public places.
6. Expand your studies to include women, disabilities, homosexuals and immigrants. The Civil Rights Movement set precedents for speaking out against injustice towards all minorities.
7. Keep updated on civil rights issues today. Check out Civilrights.org, set up by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Leadership Conference Civil Rights Education Fund and get involved in their campaigns.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't neglect other important civil rights activists like Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Harner and Whitney M. Young, Jr.