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Civil Rights Movement

Definition

The Civil Rights Movement refers to the social and political struggle by African Americans in the United States during the mid-20th century to gain equal rights and end racial segregation. It was a pivotal movement that challenged systemic racism and fought for equality.

Analogy

Imagine the Civil Rights Movement as a powerful wave crashing against the walls of discrimination, breaking them down one brick at a time. Just like how waves erode barriers over time, the movement gradually dismantled racial inequality.

Related terms

Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups, often leading to unequal treatment.

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in public facilities, education, housing, and transportation.

Voting Rights Act of 1965: Legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in voting practices, ensuring equal access to voting for all citizens.