How accurate is it to say that minority rights campaigns achieved considerable success in the years 1960-80? Flashcards
(4 cards)
Introduction
- Context
- Criteria
- Argument
In the years 1960-80, minority rights campaigners achieved variable success.
Founded in 1966, the United Farm Workers (UFW) made significant advances for migrant workers; the Indian Civil Rights Act (1968) granted equal rights to all Native American tribes; and the 1969 Stonewall rebellion catalysed the gay rights movement, which increased in visibility and daring.
In this essay, I will define success of a campaign as how widespread it was, how successfully it achieved ‘de jure’ and ‘de facto’ change, and how long-term these were.
I agree that it is accurate to say that minority rights campaigns achieved success to a partial extent only. Although campaigners achieved legislative success, they continued to face discrimination. Their historically disadvantaged position confined them to poverty and a lack of opportunities in education and the workplace.
Para 1: Hispanic Americans
Hispanic American campaigns achieved considerable success.
1 In 1966, Cesar Chavez co-founded the National Farmer Workers Association (NFWA), which set up farmers’ unions and organised non-violent direct action to campaign for higher wages. In 1966, the NFWA joined with several other organisations to lead a strike against grape growers in Delano. Pos. The strike pressured the state government in California to sign the 1975 California Agricultural Relations Act, which established the right to collectively bargain for improvements. In this regard, it achieved considerable success.
2 In March 1968, 20 000 Hispanic American students led a high school walkout in LA to protest against segregation in schools. The walkout lasted a week. Together, they presented a list of demands to the Los Angeles Board of Education. The Board rejected their demands; there were no changes to the educational system. Although the campaign failed in its objectives, it was the movement’s first major youth led protest; it received media attention.
3 Advocacy campaigns by Hispanic American organisations, such as the Mexican American Legal Defence and Educational Fund (MALDEF), pushed for legislative amendments. In 1975, Ford amended the Voting Rights Act 1965 to include protections for language minorities, which benefited Hispanic voters. The act considerably improved Hispanic Americans’ rights; the Latino voting block increased by 183%. They were better positioned to advocate for political changes.
Overall, Hispanic American campaigns achieved significant victories in labour rights and political representation. However, they continued to face socioeconomic inequality.
Para 2: Native Americans
During these years, Native Americans achieved significant success.
1 In 1968, the American Indian Movement was founded with the aim of speaking out against issues faced by Native Americans (housing, education and legal protections for land and way of life). To respond to their advocacy, Ford passed the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975. However, AIM were continually targeted by the FBI in COINTELPRO operations, which stunted their ability to stage protests.
2 In 1969, 14 members of the Indians of All Tribes (IAT), joined by 600 other Native Americans, staged the Alcatraz Occupation. They entered the island, refusing to leave until the government allowed them to purchase the island for the cost of $24. A fight for sovereignty and recognition of treaty rights, the occupation lasted 19 months. The occupation gained widespread media coverage, which garnered sympathy. President Nixon returned Blue Lake and 48 000 acres of land in New Mexico to Taos Indians. They succeeded in their objectives, reclaiming Alcatraz Island.
Radical action underscored deep-seated frustrations within communities. Fragmented nature of their movements, lacked unified leadership and clear direction.
3 Moderate activists working through the National Congress of American Indians lobbied Congress for more rights and resources. Took old treaties to court, demanding additional legal rights. In Alaska, Maine and Massachusetts they won significant settlements. The effectiveness of legal action. Although Native Americans achieved greater self-determination, their progress was hindered by a lack of cohesive leadership among activist groups and persistent social and economic discrimination.
Conclusion
To conclude, whereas this period saw meaningful progress in minority rights, labelling the achievements as ‘considerable’ would overlook the struggles and incomplete nature of the advancements. Although significant legislative gains were made, they were often poorly implemented ‘de facto’ and faced resistance. These campaigns laid the foundation for further progress in the decades that followed, but many of their goals were not fully realized during the period in question. While certain minority rights campaigns made advances, the extent of their success varied across different groups. Native and Hispanic Americans can be deemed to have made ‘considerable progress’, while gay Americans, less so.
