1. Civil Rights Act 1964 & Voting Rights Act 1965
CRA banned segregation in public accommodations
Gave federal government the ability to desegregate schools
Could prosecute individuals who violated people’s civil rights
Outlawed discrimination in employment and established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Spurred by actions of protestors and President Johnson, Congress passed the VRA
It banned literacy tests and empowered the government to oversee voting registration
These two civil rights laws by President Johnson are considered to be landmarks in American history

2. Race Riots & Kerner Commission
Riots began around the country because of frustration over discrimination and poverty
Worst in Newark, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan in summer of 1967
Blacks using violence against police and white business owners in black neighborhoods
President Johnson established the Kerner Commission to determine the cause of the riots
They concluded that racial discrimination was the cause and recommended extending federal programs to Urban black neighborhoods
Results of commission became controversial and was not followed up on by Johnson because busy with Vietnam

3. Malcolm X
Had a rough childhood; influenced by race riots; was arrested
While in jail, he converted to the Nation of Islam
A branch of Islam begun in the United States
Had strict rules of behavior
Told blacks to separate from whites
Went to Mecca, came back to America and wanted all races to be equal
1965, members of Nation of Islam killed Malcolm X

4. Black Power
In late 1960s, civil rights leaders began to disagree about the movement
SCLC wanted more nonviolent protests but other groups wanted to be more aggressive
1966, SNCC kicked out white members and became increasingly more violent under the leadership of Stokely Carmichael
Began to call for “black power”
Wanted blacks to make their own organizations to fight racism
Move away from nonviolence
Black Panthers came from this black power movement
Young militant African Americans; protected urban neighborhoods from police abuse; created antipoverty programs
Black Power movement taught that African Americans should separate from white society and lead their own communities

5. MLK’s Final Days
Understood the anger and frustration of many urban African Americans
He disagreed with the call for “black power”
He was assassinated April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee
His assassination triggered riots in more than 100 cities
2 months later Robert Kennedy was assassinated
Many believe the movement ended with MLK’s assassination, but many believe the fight for full equality still goes on