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Yang, Yujie (Neil)

ESL 33B Project 3Completed draft
Dr. Carlisi
29 November 2016
The Changes in the United State after the Passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964
Racial issues were serious problems all over the world sixty years ago. Racism was openly
practiced and enshrined in law (Ingraham 3). People, who were considered as colored people
in the U.S., lived hard lives and were always treated unequally. Later, they could not bear that
and began to fight for their rights and became the pioneers of anti-racism, which caused a wave
of civil rights movement. Finally, their efforts paid back and made great progress. After the
passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, people in the United States began to change their
attitude to people who are considered as colored. They showed more respects to colored
people and treated them more fairly. Today, more than fifty years after the passage of the Civil
Rights Act in 1964, people from different races have much better relationships; however, racism
still exists nowadays (Noman 2). It is still a long way for American people to fight against
racism. According to Nomans research, people in the U.S. live harmony lives with each other,
but the conflicts between people from different races still have an important influence on many
people (2). One of the most important reasons that people have these conflicts is the historical
ethnic discrimination. Some people think that they come from a superior race and are supposed
to have more privileges. They think that it is an insult for them to have the same right as the
others. In fact, none of the races is better than others, and everyone from different races is equal.
According to Foster, education is one of the most effective ways to fight against the racism (51).

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People learn from the history and learn a lesson from previous people who were not tolerant
enough at very young ages, which will make them treat people from the other races equally and
respectfully. Even though educating people about racism is an effective way to fight against
racism, it cannot completely eliminate this issue. Therefore, it is necessary for us to learning how
to fight back legally when being attacked by racists is also important for everyone. Using the law
to protect ourselves seems a good way to fight back. In order to fight against the racism, the
government should pay more attention to race pedagogy, and everyone should learn to protect
himself by using laws and develop the concept of equality of all.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a milestone in American history, especially in the history of
Civil War. The most important factors of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were great
efforts of black people. They almost tried everything that they could to fight for their rights.
Finally, many people noticed this group gradually because of series famous anti-racism events,
such as Rosa Parks Arrest and Freedom Rides, which gave the U.S. government a lot of pressure
(Turchi 2). At first, President Kennedy tried to solve the issues by means of mediation, but these
means did not work at all. What these black people needed was not compromise, but the rights
that they were supposed to have. About several months later, the officer realized that it was
necessary to give the colored people their rights to stop the social unrest. In 1964, President
Kennedy signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which freed countless people.
This great act caused many immediate results. More and more people were willing to take
part in the anti-racism movements. More than 440,000 people joined Civil Rights Movements
in 1965, including White people (Gazzar 3). Under the protection of the law, black people
became braver to fight against the racist. At the same time, more white people realized that the
importance of the equality of all. Civil Rights Movement got to a new height after the passage

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of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Mcadam 488). Everything went in a correct direction, and
colored people got more rights. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the efforts that
everyone devoted in paved the way for two major follow-up laws: the Voting Rights Act of
1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which established and perfected the laws that related to
anti-discrimination and improved colored peoples social status.
Besides the immediate impacts, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also has several profound
impacts. The 1964 Civil Rights Act finally outlawed segregation in all public places (Kirk
138). Black people were allowed to stay with white people in some public places. It seems
common in the 21st century; however, it was a great progress at that age. Black people became
more confident even thought they were still prejudiced several years after the passage of the
Civil Rights Act 0f 1964. At least, things got better, and they got their rights gradually. They
were accepted by white people as the time went, which also led to the presidential election of
Obama. The Civil Rights Act also had a profound effect on schools (Gazzar 3). Children who
had different skin colors were able to sit in the same classroom and accept the same education.
Nobody has discrimination on others when they are born. Children did not know what was
discrimination and they made friends with each other, regardless their skin color, which made
people from different races accept each other at a very young age. Then, they would not felt
uncomfortable when they grew up and worked with people belong to the different race. After
several generations, people would be easier to accept each other. Today, most people in the U.S.
feel comfortable to talk to people who are different from them.
Even though we had made great progress in fighting with racism, I think racism still exists
for three reasons. First, 47% of hate crimes are racially motivated (see figure 1). There still
exist people who think skin colors are very important. These kinds of thoughts make other

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people live in danger. Thinking about if people around you are in danger every minute, what will
you do? Of course, solve the problem as quick as you can. We do this not just for ourselves, but
also for the people that we care about and for the future generations. Second, By 2015, the GDP
per capita for whites was $13,260, compared to $11,908 for blacks (Noman 4). Are blacks lazier
than whites? Of course, they are not. Everyone try their best when they are working. Why were
black people paid about 16% less than whites? Thats because of racism. Lower payments mean
worse lives, which will also lead to social unrest. We cannot make good people become bad by
treating them unfairly. Everyone desires to be showed respect. At least, we should be treat
equally. For being treated equally, we also need to fight against racism. We are supposed to let
everybody know that the importance of equality of all. Third, according to Noman, Unarmed
black men are seven times more likely to die by police gunfire (3). Seven times is not a small
number, especially that means the lives. Even some of the police, people who work for the
government and are supposed to be fair to everyone, are racists. Thats not a good thing. We need
to change the racists mind and fight bravely against the racists. Thats why we still need to try
our best fight against the racist.
Figure 1

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Source: Hate Crimes: Behind The Bias, Archives.fbi.gov, 23 November 2009,

https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/november/hatecrimes_112309. Accessed
25Nov. 2016.
Since I mention that racism still exists, we should take action to fight against racism. Before
we take action, we are supposed to know how to fight against it. I am going to introduce three
effective ways to fight against racism. The ways that we fight against it are very tricky and
important because you might be in danger if you use wrong ways. First, the educators should pay
more attention to race pedagogy. Children are simple and they do not know what is
discrimination. It is easy to teach them what should they do when meeting racism since they are
very young (Mcadam 4). They are the future of the country. If we make them treat everyone
equally, everything will be better in the future. For everybody, we are supposed to be taught
about the history of the Civil Wars and the different anti-racism movement. Learning from the
history is very significant because we will cherish the peaceful lives that we have now if we
know the stories in the 1960s. Everyone was in danger and was possible to be attacked because
of the violence caused by racial discrimination. The lives that we want to live are obviously not

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like that so most people will not do the same thing as the racist did. Learning from the history
also makes us be wiser when meeting the same problem. After learning the facts, we should
spend time thinking and connecting it to the present. Just try to think about questions; such as
will you keep silent if some stronger than you insult you? These thinking processes make us
prepare ourselves for the future when we meet racist. If we meet the same situation in the future,
we are more likely to make the best choices and to use the most effective way to fight against
racism. Thus, race pedagogy develops childrens concept of equality and prepare the adults for
the future.
The second way is learning how to protect ourselves by using the laws. Is it right for you to
fight with racists when you are insulted? It is obviously not a wise action. You might be in
danger if you do so. The correct way is warning them first and then, calling the police. You are
protecting by the laws and you are supposed to use this weapon wisely. At the beginning, you
are supposed to acknowledge your privilege(How to Become Proactive Against Racists and
Racism 2). That makes you know what kinds of rights do you have and what kinds of situation
that you will be protected by the law. Laws are the most powerful and effective weapons for us to
fight against the racism because we are supported by the government and the majority people
when we are using the laws.
Finally, we should develop the concept of equality of all. This is different from race
pedagogy because we need to develop this concept by ourselves in daily life. Nobody can teach
us about the concept of equality of all and force us to accept this idea. That depends on
ourselves. There are many people who are different from us living around us. We should accept
them, which means trying to make friends with them and feel comfortable to communicate with
them. Since we need to fight against people who are racist, we need to do everything best first.

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If everyone shows respect to people who are different from them, racism will disappear in the
world. It needs everyones efforts. From now on, showing respect to people who are different
from you and do every little thing well in your daily life, you will set a good example for other
people. More and more people will show respect to you and learn from you. Then, you will feel
good and more and more people will have the same feelings.
Its the 21st century now, sixty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The
countless progress that the government and great American people have made in these sixty
years is amazing and wonderful. Now most people have changed their minds and try to treat
people as equally as they can. In most places, the white people, the black people, the Asian
people and people from other races live peacefully with each other. They can make friends and
work together very well. It a good step that American people have made.
Even though American people have made great progress during the past sixty years, more
efforts still should be devoted since the racism exists right now. It is still a long way for us to
fight off the racism. In order to fight off the racism, the government should pay more attention to
race pedagogy, and everyone should learn to protect himself by using laws and develop the
concept of equality of all. Fighting against the racism needs everyones efforts and participation.
No matter which race you belong to, your support and participation will help the society to fight
against the racism a lot. Everyone is very important and everything is also every important. From
now on, if one person begins to treat the people around him/her equally and patiently, the society
will be a little better. It seems that one persons efforts are nothing. However, if everyone tries his
best and contributes to fighting against racism, the power will be unstoppable and amazing.
Thus, lets take action to fight against the racism by doing every little thing perfectly. I believe

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that we will have a more harmony and peaceful society in the future. The racists will be less and
less.

Works Cited

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Foster, Janet E., Tonja L. Root, and Lee Seung Youn. "Teaching Young Children About The Civil
Rights Movement." Education Digest 81.7 (2016): 43. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 29 Nov.
2016. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.pasadena.edu/ehost/detail/detail?sid=4a221c90-4c4e4447-a8b3f6d48ae303d0%40sessionmgr4010&vid=0&hid=4214&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2Z
Q%3d%3d#AN=113072601&db=f5h. Accessed 24 Nov. 2016.
Gazzar, Brenda. How the Civil Rights Act of 1964 changed America. Daily news.com, 1 July
2014, http://www.dailynews.com/social-affairs/20140701/how-the-civil-rights-act-of-1964changed-america. Accessed 24 Nov.2016.
How to Become Proactive Against Racists and Racism. Wikihow.com, 4 April 2015,
http://www.wikihow.com/Become-Proactive-Against-Racists-and-Racism
Accessed 25 Nov. 2016.
Ingraham, Christopher. How the Unrest of the 1960s Compared to Today, According to the
People Who Lived through It. The Washington Post, 12 July 2016,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/12/reddit-remembers-the-1960swe-probably-dont-have-to-kill-all-of-them-just-the-agitators/. Accessed 25 Nov. 2016.
Kirk, JOHN A. "Going Off The Deep End: The Civil Rights Act Of 1964 And The Desegregation
Of Little Rock's Public Swimming Pools." Arkansas Historical Quarterly 73.2 (2014): 138163. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Nov,
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.pasadena.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=7&sid=65d37cc71254-4f3d-bb30-888a641fd72c

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%40sessionmgr4007&hid=4209&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d
%3d#AN=97603734&db=aph. Accessed 25 Nov. 2016.
Mcadam, Doug. "Be Careful What You Wish For: The Ironic Connection Between The Civil
Rights Struggle And Today's Divided America." Sociological Forum 30.(2015): 485-508.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Nov. 2016,
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.pasadena.edu/ehost/detail/detail?sid=2dd53a9d-a47b-49fe82cc-30fb1d2460fc
%40sessionmgr4010&vid=0&hid=4209&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d
%3d#AN=103380922&db=aph. Accessed 25 Nov. 2016.
Noman, Natasha. Racism in America Today Is Alive and Well And These Stats Prove It.
Mic Network, Mic.Daily, 6 April 2016,
https://mic.com/articles/140107/racism-in-america-today-is-alive-and-well-and-these-statsprove-it#.ZdY5DyLMZ. Accessed 24 Nov. 2016.
Turchi, Megan. Events That Led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Boston.com, 2 July 2014,
https://www.boston.com/news/untagged/2014/07/02/events-that-led-to-the-civil-rights-actof-1964. Accessed 24 Nov. 2016.
Warde, Bryan. "Why Race Still Matters 50 Years After The Enactment Of The 1964 Civil Rights
Act." Journal Of African American Studies 18.2 (2014): 251-259. Academic Search
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%40sessionmgr4007&vid=0&hid=4209&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d
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