#educate2elevate

The Civil Rights Movement brought about great legislative reform. That said, during the late 1960s through 1970, the country experienced violent race riots because established Black leadership had yet to seize political and economic autonomy for African Americans. The words of the 1964 Civil Rights Act were not translating into people’s daily lives. Segregation, discrimination and oppression overwhelmed our country still, and anger and violence merged into a frenzied attempt to combat them.

Decades have passed, yet as a collective people we face a parallel to these upset times. Only today, we are all connected at the touch of a button. Today, the "minorities" are the majority, different is good and people are more open and willing to listen. 

Our government can be reshaped to reflect our vision and we are the only ones standing in our way. How can you repaint the political and socio-economic canvas of your country when its roots run deep into indifference or hate?

Start by speaking your mind.

Apparently, Mr. Frye was pulled over by police who suspected him of drunk driving. As police attempted to arrest Marquette, members of the community gathered. A struggle ensued, with Mr. Frye’s mother now involved and the crowd continued to grow. It’s been said that in the altercation, police struck Marquette and his mother and eventually all three members of the Frye family were arrested. Regardless of the specifics of what was done and said that day, this event was simply the tip of the iceberg for the community. It spurred them into a frenzy that had already been simmering. Despite the written law of 1965’s Civil Rights Act, institutions were still practicing segregation and discrimination – the racially concentrated neighborhood of Watts was a prime example. In fact, it was the distinctly different treatment of the people of Watts - the lack of jobs, quality education and health care - a year after the laws passing, that left them angry and out of patience. Approximately 4,000 arrests were made, 34 people were killed and around 1,300 were injured. Still, after the National Guard was sent in to quell the fire, nothing was done to change the people’s social conditions.