Television had a huge impact on how people thought during the Civil Rights Movement. It showed events that exposed racial unfairness.
Showing Protests on TV: Big events like the Birmingham Campaign in 1963 were seen by millions of people. In just one week of May 1963, over 30,000 students joined protests. The police responded with violence, using water hoses and police dogs. This awful treatment was filmed, and it shocked viewers all over the country.
Public Support Grows: A Gallup poll taken right after the Birmingham events showed that support for the Civil Rights Movement jumped by around 20%. By 1965, about 60% of Americans were in favor of laws that protected equal rights for African Americans.
Changing Laws: The TV coverage of events like the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 was very important for support of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. After "Bloody Sunday," when marchers were attacked, many people recognized the deep racism in society. This led to even more public support for change.
In conclusion, television brought the struggles for civil rights into homes across America. It helped people understand what was happening and pushed for important changes in laws.
Television had a huge impact on how people thought during the Civil Rights Movement. It showed events that exposed racial unfairness.
Showing Protests on TV: Big events like the Birmingham Campaign in 1963 were seen by millions of people. In just one week of May 1963, over 30,000 students joined protests. The police responded with violence, using water hoses and police dogs. This awful treatment was filmed, and it shocked viewers all over the country.
Public Support Grows: A Gallup poll taken right after the Birmingham events showed that support for the Civil Rights Movement jumped by around 20%. By 1965, about 60% of Americans were in favor of laws that protected equal rights for African Americans.
Changing Laws: The TV coverage of events like the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 was very important for support of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. After "Bloody Sunday," when marchers were attacked, many people recognized the deep racism in society. This led to even more public support for change.
In conclusion, television brought the struggles for civil rights into homes across America. It helped people understand what was happening and pushed for important changes in laws.