Class Presentations

Reflection on Class Presentations: The Positive and Negative Sides of the Civil Rights Era

During the final round of presentations, our class split into two groups: one covering the negative acts that took place during the Civil Rights era, and the other highlighting the positive progress and victories that came out of the movement. Hearing these two sides back to back made the history feel more balanced and helped me understand how progress and resistance were happening at the same time.

The Negative Affects

A peaceful Process during the Era

The presentations on the negative acts focused heavily on the rise and return of the KKK. I learned that their main influence grew during the Civil Rights Movement, especially as media attention increased. The KKK carried out violent intimidation, attacks, burning, and harassment, and even infiltrated local governments and law enforcement. They used violence to block desegregation efforts, especially during events like Freedom Summer, when activists were trying to register Black voters. Mississippi became one of the most dangerous places for civil rights workers, and churches used for organizing were burned. 

Continuing with the Massive Resistance Movement

This tied into the Massive Resistance movement, where segregationists publicly stood in schoolhouse doors to block integration. The presentation on the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing was especially emotional, four young girls were killed, many others injured, and the bomber wasn’t convicted until 14 years later, showing how deep systemic racism ran.

A couple days after the 16th
Street Baptist Church bombing

The Positive Affects 

The second group focused on positive achievements. They covered major victories like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended public segregation, banned discrimination, and created the EEOC. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected Black voters and raised voting participation from 23% to 61%. We also learned about the NAACP, founded in 1909, which fought lynching and played a major role in Brown v. Board. Presentations on the Lunch Counter Sit-ins, March on Washington, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott showed how nonviolent activism grew from a few people into national movements that changed laws and inspired millions.

Overall, hearing both the negative and positive presentations helped me see how intense the struggle was, but also how powerful the victories became. It made the Civil Rights Movement feel more human, more emotional, and more real.