Black History Month: Civil Rights Reflection and Movement

Written By Angel Brown, Advocates for Youth Staff

As you all know, February is Black History Month. In existence since 1926, beginning as Black History Week, Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in African – American history. All around the country people pay homage to those who have fought for justice and the equal treatment of African – Americans.

If you live in the US, you are aware that the fight for equal rights and justice for all is still very much alive. Every day many people are discriminated against because of any number of identities, race, gender, class, level of education, age, etc. The list could go on and on.

Some of the country’s most critical civil rights legislation has been passed since the mid-21st century, beginning with the passing of the 1957 Civil Rights Act. This act gave African-Americans the legal right to vote in the United States. It was an act which many believe kick-started the Civil Rights movement as we know it today. Since the acts of 1960, 1964, and 1965 we’ve come a long way and we still have further to go.

As you may have read in our December feature, same-gender-loving and queer people of color may face a myriad of challenges when it comes to negotiating sexual orientation and ethnic pride. Young people may feel these challenges sharply. So, what does this mean for you? As a young person in America, there are many social justice and civil rights movements in which you can play a proactive role to help bring an end to discrimination.

On November 17, 2007, the US House of Representatives took a historic step by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on sexual orientation. Yet, the ENDA does not outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity. National civil rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC); the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR); the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); the Anti-Defamation League (ADL): and Advocates for Youth, have signed letters in support of an ENDA that is inclusive of the rights of transgender people.

You can contact your local branches of the NAACP, the ADL and HRC to find out how you can become involved in having gender identity added to the act.

Join thousands of others in celebrating Black History month 2008, by being involved in the ongoing fights for civil rights, equality and social justice!