The Civil and Women’s Rights movements shared several commonalities while also portraying significant differences. These movements not only were developed differently but also had the same vision of fighting for equality. In America, justice was a virtue that was always embraced. Between the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was created to promote equality and end segregation within America. At the same time, the Civil Rights Movement developed because of the struggles of African Americans, who sought social and political equality, although the movement eventually grew beyond their community. Similarly, the women’s rights movement was catalyzed by societal conditions but focused specifically on gender equality. According to Betty Friedan, the mystique of feminine fulfillment was embraced fifteen years after the Second World War, as American culture cherished and self-perpetuated this theme. The Civil Rights Movement also had a fundamental impact on women’s rights, from challenging gender conformity to advocating for equal opportunities and equality, particularly in the 1970s. This essay will address the similarities and differences between the Civil and Women’s Rights movements, their achievements, and limitations in attaining equality in America.
The Second Wave Feminism
The Second Wave Feminism began in the 1950s, although women had won the right to vote thirty years earlier and had achieved economic independence during World War II by working in factories. When men returned from the war, many women were relegated back to domestic roles as mothers and wives in suburban kitchens. Even though sitcoms of the era depicted them as content, many women were not as happy as they were portrayed. By 1963, Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique to show how suburban culture was harming and oppressing women, affecting their psychological well-being as well as their personal and economic agency.
The Feminine Mystique targeted a specific audience: college-educated, middle-class women who were working for wages but felt trapped by their domestic routines. Women desired independence, but they could not manage it due to American cultural norms. This dissatisfaction fueled the activism of the Second Wave Feminism in the 1970s, which aimed to improve women’s success through economic independence and education. This movement highlighted issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and legal inequalities.
The Civil Rights and the Feminist Movement
Both the Civil Rights and the Women’s Rights movements used similar tactics in the 1960s to achieve their goals. The Civil Rights Movement emphasized the need for change to remove oppression in the country. It was crucial that women, especially black women, led organizations within the movement. This leadership showcased the intersectionality between race and gender, highlighting the compounded struggles faced by women of color.
The Women’s Rights Movement developed several ideologies, methodologies, and tactics, drawing inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement. Women protested and boycotted using civil disobedience and non-violence, and they connected their struggles to broader issues, such as the Cold War. This era saw America broadcasting its leaders’ freedom battles against Soviet Communism, which women activists paralleled by emphasizing gender ideologies designed to progress in the USSR.
In 1961, President Kennedy established the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, which aimed to protect women’s status. After the Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964, the Commission advised women on their issues, leading to the prohibition of discrimination based on race and sex. These movements also crafted the Equal Pay Act to address gender equality and wage gaps in workplaces. President Kennedy signed this law as part of his New Frontier Program, signaling federal support for gender equality.
Achievements and Impact
The Civil Rights Movement managed to enact significant civil rights legislation that aimed to equalize all races and genders. The 1964 Civil Rights Act, including Title VII, was instrumental in prohibiting workplace discrimination and supporting interracial marriages. This legislation brought landmark cases that resulted in legal victories for the feminist movement. For example, the Griswold v. Connecticut case in 1965 established the right to privacy concerning contraceptive use, a crucial win for women’s reproductive rights.
The feminist movement also succeeded in raising awareness about issues such as sexual harassment, reproductive rights, and workplace discrimination. The creation of organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966 provided a platform for advocating women’s rights and pushing for legislative changes. The feminist movement’s achievements include the passage of Title IX in 1972, which prohibited sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities, significantly impacting women’s opportunities in education and sports.
Limitations and Ongoing Challenges
Despite these achievements, both movements faced significant limitations. The Civil Rights Movement struggled with internal divisions, differing ideologies, and the challenge of sustaining momentum after major legislative victories. Similarly, the Women’s Rights Movement faced criticism for initially focusing primarily on the concerns of white, middle-class women, often neglecting the unique challenges faced by women of color, working-class women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Additionally, while legislative changes marked significant progress, societal attitudes and cultural norms often lagged behind. Discrimination and inequality persisted in various forms, necessitating ongoing advocacy and activism. The intersectionality of race, gender, and class continues to present complex challenges that require nuanced approaches and solidarity across movements.
Theoretical Perspectives
Academic theories provide valuable insights into understanding these movements. Social Movement Theory, for instance, examines how social movements emerge, mobilize, and achieve their goals. The Resource Mobilization Theory emphasizes the importance of resources, including leadership, organization, and funding, in the success of social movements. These theories help explain the organizational strategies and mobilization efforts of the Civil and Women’s Rights movements.
Intersectionality, a concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is crucial for analyzing the overlapping and interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, and class. Intersectionality highlights how these categorizations create overlapping systems of disadvantage and privilege, providing a framework for understanding the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups within both movements.
Conclusion
The Civil and Women’s Rights movements shared common goals of achieving equality and justice while employing similar tactics of protest and advocacy. Both movements made significant strides in securing legal and social advancements, although they faced limitations and ongoing challenges. By examining these movements through academic theories, we gain a deeper understanding of their strategies, successes, and the complexities of their struggles. The legacy of these movements continues to inspire contemporary activism, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and intersectional approaches in the fight for equality.