Social activism in the United States began in the 1770s. In the beginning, all the efforts were focused on the fight for independence and the elimination of slavery. The early activists beautifully set the stage for future movements and showed the power of people coming together and taking action against oppression. Let’s learn about the history of activism in the US and what happened due to it.
Women’s Suffrage Movement
Voting is a basic human right, and not having equal voting rights is a serious injustice. One of the most highlighted issues during the early activism movement was the fight for women’s suffrage. In the early 19th century, women had few rights. They didn’t have the right to vote, own property, or officially join many professions. The Women’s Suffrage Movement started in 1948 at the Seneca Falls Convention in New York. After 72 years of tireless efforts, women won the right to vote in 1920.
Civil Rights Movement
People shouldn’t be deprived of basic and ethical human rights. The injustice and inequality based on racism, caste, or culture were terrible at the beginning of the United States. Due to that, the 14th and 15th Amendments were officially approved, but despite that, African Americans were often robbed of their legal rights. Due to the rise in discrimination, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s was initiated to resolve these injustices. Well-known leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. began peaceful protests to end discrimination.
Women’s Rights in the 1960s
Women in the 1900s were not treated respectfully; people used to think of them as slaves. Therefore, the 1960s also saw a reappearance in the fight for women’s rights. This movement was encouraged by the Civil Rights Movement; women activists wanted equal opportunities in the workplace and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Though the ERA has not been ratified, the movement broughtsignificant changes, including greater access to education and employment for women.
Farm Workers’ Rights
Equal and just wages are important for every worker and employee. It doesn’t matter whether they work in an office, a school, a restaurant, or a farm. During the period of movements and protests, the United Farm Workers Association fought for the rights of farm workers. They organized strikes and boycotts to demand fair wages and better working conditions. Their activism led to magnificent improvements in labor laws and conditions for farm workers.
Modern movements
Even in the modern age, activism is needed just as much as it was earlier. Movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights show current struggles for equality and justice. These movements use peaceful protests and social media to raise awareness and push for change, and slowly but gradually, things are getting back on track.
Conclusion
In conclusion, activism in the United States has a rich history of challenging oppression and fighting for rights. If you’re interested in reading about social activists and their current movements, then the series “Paid to Piss People Off” by Barry Lynn is an absolute must-have! Barry Lynn has been a tenacious advocate for peace and justice and Paid to Piss People Off perfectly captures his trajectory. Again, we need to get this to somewhere other than Amazon.
