Free Essay: Social Movements in Twentieth Century U.S
The history of America depicts the 1960s as tumultuous time. The economy and population of America was growing at a very fast rate. There was also a change in the people’s living standards because people were conforming to the culture of that time. Nevertheless, not all enjoyed the conformity. The conventionality was disregarded by the young people. The rulers did not take the rebellion lightly because they thought that this was threatening their power. This essay therefore focuses on Social Movements in Twentieth Century U.S.
Crusade for Justice was caused by political activism among the Mexicans in America because there was a gradual growth in their population. Police harassment, poverty, discrimination as well as opposition for Vietnam War’s engagement were among the factors that led to the development of the movements. This paper reflects on the Crusade for Justice and its alignment with Chicano Movement and their relation to the life experience of the U.S people.
Several issues were touched by Chicano movement. These included land grants’ restitution, political rights, education and workers rights. The aim of the Crusade for Justice was to liberate the people of Chicano. However, it destroyed the unity of the people. Revolutionary movements should strive to realize their goals regardless of the opposition they face. Later, this group became counter-revolutionary by taking a strong stand in politics yet it did not have the will to succumb to it.
For the members of any movement to be liberated, the enemies and supporters must be identified. Drafting tactics that will lead to the defeat of the enemies can be done with the help of supporters. During this time, the movement ought to uphold the main objective and also avoid poor tactics which can overwhelm the interest of the people.
During civilization, the state has a vital role to play. Civilization and freedom move together. This implies that most people’s expectations should be met. The government of the U.S during the 1960s era realized the essence of fighting racial segregation. This was common in the Southern part due to the rising population of the Spanish-Americans. The increasing population became an excellent ground for hunting votes among the Democrats. Every citizen has a right to be protected by his/her government by enforcing the law. When police brutality was protested by Crusaders, there was no response but their activities were resented by onlookers (Vigil 131-132).
While executing their duties, police officers engaged in an unscrupulous act which caused teenage boys’ death. This caused a stir in Chicano people’s minds leading to the establishment of the Chicano Movement. It is the right of every person to live irrespective of their race, origin or color. All communities deserve protection from their government from torture and harassment. On realizing that the people in authority are inconsiderate, they civilians respond by forming ethnic or regional groups.
When there is a war between nations, a state should consider the benefits that the citizens will get from the war. According to most people, there was no reason for the U.S government to start a war with Vietnam. There was a point in the argument of Gonzales that a country ought to be recognized for humanitarian assistance instead of military power. During the war, several soldiers die regardless of their side. Leaders ought to quit playing with innocent people’s lives who do not know much regarding foreign relations. Military veterans of the Mexican-American origin, worried parents, committed liberals in the mainstream and the youths were attracted by Chicano Moratorium (Oropeza 146). Though the gesture indicated unity, not many people realized the cause of the protest and this exposed them to future risks.
There are many expectations of the people from any movement in politics. However, the movements do not achieve the set objectives all the time. The channel taken by the Crusade for Justice towards reformism was the wrong one. Members of the movement were also dragged to narrow nationalism through the assertion of imperialism faith if reformed. The aim of this assertion was to establish a means for Chicanos to get government appointments. Usually, strong movements will never fight to get favors but for the rights of their members.
The claim of the crusaders was that they had superiority over other races despite being oppressed by the whites. Considering different institutions as the enemies of the people showed that the movement preferred the control of its community to national integration. Oppression cannot be overcome by revolution only. Peaceful negotiations are allowed by the current government’s system. The community leaders initiate peaceful negotiations.
In a nut shell, the government locked the Crusade for Justice from achieving its mission. The conspiracy made to hinder the recognition struggle was witnessed by the media. Freedom struggle is always considered a leadership’s threat by the leaders. The FBI and the police were deployed to neutralize political ambitions while frustrating the movement. It is apparent that people ought not to keep struggling to achieve their rights yet numerous avenues exist via which the rights can be achieved.
The focus of the law enforcement agencies ought to be maintaining peace instead of employing excessive force in disrupting the struggle of the innocent civilians to achieve their rights. Ethnic segregation and racism ought to be eradicated completely from the society. Dialogue should be embraced and revolutions avoided as a way of preventing the loss of the lives of the innocent citizens. The current world should not have a replica of the leadership that was seen in the Crusade for Justice.
Works Cited
Oropeza, Lorena. Raza Sí! Guerra No! Chicano Protest and Patriotism During the Viet Nam War Era. Berkeley, Calif. [u.a.: Univ. of California Press, 2005. Print.
Vigil, Ernesto B. The Crusade for Justice: Chicano Militancy and the Government’s War on Dissent. Madison, Wis. [u.a.: Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 1999. Print.