Democratic Party- Oppositions of Civil Rights

The Democratic Party known to some as the oldest political party, were not as active in the bettering of our country when it came to our poor segregated times this which I was not made aware of until I found a blog speaking on this topic called “The Real Democratic Party”(Washington). The democrats in fact passed the Repeal act of 1894 that overturned civil rights laws enacted by republicans. Democratic Party was once known as the slave party to this country (Washington). They looked at slaves as money making machines, which in fact they were but I guess they were blind to the cruel and unusual punishment these slaved were forced to be brought upon them.
The Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854 a bill passed by the democrats, adding more slave states to this country was the first sign of an opposition brought upon banning of slavery (Walker). Though the democrats reasoning came from an economical point of view, it caused major conflict with civil war approaching. The Democratic Party fought to expand slavery while the Republican Party fought to end it (Walker).
The Democratic Party fought against anti-lynching, to show discipline towards all blacks which lead to there displacement of the enforcement act passed by the Republicans which banned the Ku Klux Klan (Johnson). Democrats also opposed educating blacks, realizing that knowledge is power giving blacks there education would of gave them more of a reason to revolt against the unjust laws.
Democrat’s being the oldest party I think it was harder for them to adjust to a new world where African-Americans were treated like human beings. When you see something working and you’re making money off of it, I assume they felt they had no reason to stop. Me being Republican I have other disagreements with the political party as a whole but I can at least see there reasoning behind what they did. Being as old as they were during these unequal times they weren't accepting to blacks being as equal as them over the fear of change. I’m sure a lot of people aren't aware of what the Democratic Party did just to keep slavery going on, I wonder if this can change a person’s opinion on them now. An interesting fact to have you thinking, as of 2004, the Democrat Party (the oldest political party in America) has never elected a black man to the United States Senate, the Republicans have elected three (Washington).


    "The Real Democratic Party." The Real Democratic Party. Ed. Sean M. Washington. The KKK Was The Terrorist Wigs, 3 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://realdemocrathistory.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/the-kkk-was-the-terrorist-wing-of-the-democrat-party/>.

Johnson, Peter C. "Anti-Lynching_Democratic Thoughts." RSS. EIB WEB PAGE DISGRONIFIER, 4 Jan. 2005. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2005/06/15/democrat_filibusters_blocked_anti_lynching_laws2>.

Walker, Anthony M. "Kansas-Nebraska Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 23 May 2007. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. <http://www.history.com/topics/kansas-nebraska-act>.

X_Man

     

Malcolm X is one of the most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925.  He grew up in a foster home after his fathers death and after his mother being checked into a mental institution.  He dropped out of school and moved to Boston and lived a life of crime. I think this is where American already judged Malcolm X. He was convicted of his crimes and sent to prison (Ross).  This is where he found the Nation of Islam and became self-educated. He dropped his last name and replaced it with an X. He uplifted the self-esteem of African Americans by saying, “Black is Beautiful.” (Ross)
Malcolm X was a Black Nationalist in the 1960s believing in self-empowerment and self-improvement. People portrayed him to be the opposite of Martin Luther King Jr. because of their different philosophies.  He stood out from other Civil Rights activists because he believed that African Americans should be separated from whites and to have nothing to do with their society, while the others wanted integration and equality for all. (Ross)
One of his most famous quotes was,  “We declare our right on this earth.  To be a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”  The words “by any means necessary” became his slogan.(Ross)  Many people thought he supported the act of violence and portrayed him as a racist because of his comments about President Kennedy’s Assassination saying, “Chickens Coming Home To Roost.”  Malcolm X was misunderstood. His message and practices were only for African American performing self-defense, self-reliance, and self-respect.  He influenced many African Americans to stand up and fight racism proactively.(Smith)
Malcolm X was one of the members of the Nation of Islam and started the clash with the leader Elijah Muhammad, over how the organization should handle issues. Muhammad suspended Malcolm for his comments about President Kennedy.  The Nation of Islam had some rivalries and jealousy between Malcolm and other members.  Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Mecca and converted to traditional Islam.  When he returned to America with the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and he broke away from the Nation of Islam and started to form his organization called the Organization of Afro-American Unity.  “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.”(Smith)  This organization worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and collaborated with African presidents.  This caused a rift between him and the Nation of Islam, because his organization began to grow and gain more followers. The FBI and the CIA saw Malcolm as a top threat to society.  They used tactics and personnel to target Malcolm because of his relations with Africans and they saw him as a risk for vast amounts of money for American corporations.  He was reportedly, shot to death by three African American Muslims while giving a speech in New York City. (Smith)
After his death his teachings lived on after his death and influenced many black power organizations including the Black Panther Party.  There organization used a lot of his values like self-defense and self-empowerment. (Smith)
His legacy still lives on today, because many cities throughout the country have a Malcolm X Day, which is celebrated on his birthday.  Musical artists use references from his beliefs and his quotes. The Jungle Brothers, Public Enemy, and Intelligent Hoodlum and many more all sampled from Malcolm X.  He has had a self-entitled film and an autobiography written about his life. He is an icon and his image displayed in the thousands all around this country.


Ross, Peter M. "Biography." The Official Malcolm X. A Strong Black Man, 4 Mar. 2000. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.html>.

Smith, TJ M. "Malcolm X." Americans Who Tell The Truth. We Will Be Free, 12 Oct. 1999. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/malcolm-x>.