At the height of the 1960s, Civil Rights movements were witnessed throughout America. This was a form of activism led by leaders like King Jr. and Malcolm X designed to fight inequalities and social injustices throughout America by using strategies like non-violence. Profoundly, the 1960s movement effectively changed the nation. Social injustices like racial discrimination against people of color were brought to attention by the activism, which created more awareness. This, in turn, laid the foundation for short-term and longer-term changes in the country. To illustrate, the movement led to the passage of numerous policies that ended racial discrimination and segregation in America. They include the “Civil Rights Act of 1964, which combined extensive measures to dismantle Jim Crow segregation and combat racial discrimination, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which allowed African Americans to vote” (Getchell, 2018). These legislative policies effectively eroded discrimination and segregation based on race in the country. In addition, the movement changed the nation’s conversation on racial equality as it brought national consciousness to issues affecting marginalized people of color. Consequently, its approach attracted support and sympathy from the diverse society, including White people, hence prompting a cultural change and perceptions. In the long run, the movement motivated other groups like LQBTQ+ and women to come out and fight for their rights. Similarly, it laid the foundation for other policy changes like the 1972 equal opportunities in job employment. The movement also became the backbone of America’s democracy, inspiring Americans to fight for a just and inclusive nation. Thus, given its impacts, the 1960s movement effectively brought changes in the country that are still witnessed today.

Effect the Civil Rights Acts would have globally on minority groups.

Minority groups across the planet have always been victims of discrimination, social injustices, and marginalization in various sectors like employment and education. Thus, the Civil Rights Acts would have a significant effect on them across various countries as these Acts are against discrimination and injustices. Given the example of “the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public spaces, provides for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and makes employment discrimination illegal” (National Archives, 2021). Thus, the Acts would end discrimination of any kind in job employment, education, and public facilities experienced by minorities as it would have offered legal protection. It would also provide equal opportunities and rights to minorities, given its inclusivity and dismantling of systemic barriers. By removing the discrimination and enhancing equal opportunities and rights, these groups would likely advance economically, prompting representation, entrepreneurship, and financial stability among them. The passage of these Acts would also increase awareness and mobilization on issues affecting minorities globally. As a result, they would be inspired and mobilized to advocate for equal rights and social justice. Fundamentally, minority groups globally would be well represented with equal opportunities and rights like their counterparts.

1960s tactics and strategies application to today’s racial and ethnic conflicts

Activists fighting for equality and social justice in the 1960s employed various tactics and strategies. These approaches included nonviolent protests, sit-ins, civil disobedience, boycotts, and even legal challenges. For example, King asserts, “in the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force” (King Jr, 1963). However, I think these tactics and approaches were effective for their time only and would not apply to current racial and ethnic disputes. This is because of contextual differences whereby the 1960s problems included racial segregation while today’s issues are like systemic racism and macroaggressions, which need different tactics like nuanced to solve them. Moreover, contemporary racial and ethnic conflicts entail a wider scope of factors; hence require multifaceted tactics and strategies that the approaches used in the 1960s would not cover. Also, the current communication technology is advanced, unlike the 1960s. Thus, contemporary activists can use media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to raise awareness, mobilize and reach many people, which would not have been possible with the 1960s approaches. There is an issue of intersectionality today also in that some people may witness overlapping forms of racial and ethnic conflicts fueled by factors like sexuality, race, and gender. In this case, activists would require an intersectional approach to address this modern issue with various levels of marginalization without causing more harm. Therefore, given the difference in the conflicts, and intersectionality, including the digital era dominated by social media, I think the 1960s tactics and strategies would not apply today.

Relevance of 1960s ideas today

1960s America was a period of Civil Rights activism. Among the key ideas explored during the era were equality, desegregation, racial discrimination, integration, and voting rights. King Jr. also, in his speech, touches on these ideas as experienced by African Americans. He asserts, “the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity” (King Jr, 1963). Despite being six decades old, these ideas still have relevance today as they are still affecting minority ethnicities, especially African Americans. In spite of civil rights being achieved, systemic racism still prevails in America. People of color continue to face discrimination, unequal job opportunities, wage gaps, and police brutality because of their skin color. Statistics from studies indicate that “eight in ten Black Americans say they have personally experienced discrimination because of their race or ethnicity (79%), and most also say discrimination is the main reason many Black people cannot get ahead (68%)” (Cox & Edwards, 2022). Just like how the 1960s ideas fought against racial discrimination and inequality, people today are still fighting racism, lack of inclusivity, and equality; hence the 1960s ideas are still relevant today. Poverty is also still high among Black Americans, just like during the 1960s, as stated by King; hence they remain relevant.

Civil Rights Movement’s impact on diversity in America today.

To a greater extent, the Civil Rights Movement would significantly affect diversity in American today. Notably, the movement aimed to eradicate systemic obstacles to equal opportunities and rights (Getchell, 2018). Today, the movement would enhance equality and end discrimination as it would provide legal security to all ethnicities in America. Besides, racism and injustices are still experienced by such groups despite achieving their rights decades ago. It would also empower and create more representation of minority ethnicities which would ultimately lead to a more inclusive society where each individual, irrespective of their ethnicity, is represented and equal. Furthermore, the activism would increase access to public facilities and equal opportunities. For instance, marginalized groups would have easy access to facilities like learning institutions and healthcare. Similarly, they would gain similar opportunities like employment and promotions, hence leveling the battlefield. Fueled by equal opportunities, the diverse ethnicities would likely achieve economic advancement as they would have more economic chances. As a result, they would likely become financially stable and rise from poverty, which is rampant among marginalized groups. Generally, the movement would bring equality among the diverse groups in America. It would ensure that those who are marginalized get equal treatment and opportunities akin to those who are not oppressed by the system. It would also ensure that all diverse groups in America are well represented, enjoy their rights, and are equally protected by the law.