Civil Rights 70s-90s Flashcards
What Executive Order did Nixon pass? What act was there in 1972 and what was the 1991 Civil Rights Act?
President Nixon’s Executive Order 11578, Jan 1971, made it so all employers with federal contracts had to promote affirmative action polices to actively promote African Americans. An Act of 1972 extended equal employment legislation to federal, state, and local governments. The 1991 Civil Rights Act meant that businesses had to show any discrimination was based on requirements, not racial discrimination.
What was Rodney King’s case?
Rodney King 3 March 1991, LA, taxi driver speeding away from police who chased him. Five police officers used excessive force while arresting him and beat him on the ground. A local resident filmed it and sent it to the local news station where it was broadcast to the world. Prompted 1992 riots.
What educational inequality remained?
economic inequality remained, by 1989 77% of whites graduated from high school compared to 63% of African Americans, in college 21% of whites graduated compared to 11% of African Americans
What inequality remained in employment and economic inequality?
in 1988 unemployment for African Americans 5% higher than for whites worse than 50s, African Americans occupied half amount of managerial roles that whites did, family income doubled between 1950-89 but earning gap compared to whites rose from $7000 in 1950 to $12,000 by 1987. Earned $6.26 compared to $7.69 for white men. Middle class black families went to suburbs leaving a social gap.
What was the impact of the Watts Riots? What had advanced and how was economic inequality dealt with?
The 1965 riots in the US disappointed moderate supporters of civil rights and King had later less effective campaigns against poverty and the Vietnam War. Despite acts limiting discrimination African Americans faced economic inequality which limited progress. President Nixon took up positive discrimination with Philadelphia Plan and passed Equal Opportunity Employment Act in 1972.
What was bussing?
Busing was a way to get children to attend desegregated schools and made a difference but in 1970s many families found middle-class areas where integration wasn’t required. Ford and Nixon supported opposition to busing.
Why did Carter fail AAs?
Carter, 1977-81, criticised for doing too little. Oil crisis led to higher prices and economy slump which impacted African Americans. Racial quotas lost popularity and opportunities for African Americans declined, with many reliant on welfare.
What had Reagan done?
Under Reagan the 1982 Voting Rights Act strengthened penalties against discrimination and there was a Civil Rights Restoration Act.
African Americans holding office rose from 100 in 1964 to 8000 in 1992. However, Reagan reduced welfare benefits which disproportionately harmed the African American community. Without a central issue and complex social/economic problems the activities and membership for civil rights organisations declined.
Who was Jesse Jackson?
Jesse Jackson, an AA, took part in SCLC activities but resigned in 1971. He formed People United to Save Humanity, PUSH, and Rainbow Coalition, to collectivise civil rights organisations. In Democratic primary 1984 he ran as a candidate for presidency winning 3.5 million votes, in 1988 this rose to 7 million. He wanted to unite African Americans despite their views on integration or separation and work with white liberals. However, despite more African American voters, he failed both times.
