For nearly 60 years, African-Americans suffered from shoddy discrimination and segregation for something they can’t control, race. Protest, boycotts, and peaceful rebellions were in full swing by the 1960’s. Luckily, this all changed when Lyndon B. Johnson, originally from Texas, signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As many know, this was zealous action to take as a president during this corrupt time. Everything was out of control and just plain crazy. For example, there was war with Vietnam, people were morally changed, and America's culture was altering overall. However, why would he do sign considering all of the environment around him? Was it to show compassion towards unfair treatments, or was it to popularize votes for the next presidential
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Furthermore, during this time Johnson was a majority leader of the senate and did not fully oppose segregation. As a result, he passed 1957 civil rights bill through congress. This allowed people of any race, religion, and gender to vote. However, the bill had a small effect to giving equality, it was barely noticed. The 1957 civil rights bill is what got many people to question his efforts in passing the civil rights act. They were skeptical because they thought that Johnson was going to pass another lousy act. After all, how can someone who was competent towards segregation suddenly start advocating integration. Not only does this event reveal that his decision was through politics, but it also shows when Roy Wilkins, a civil rights activist, questioned Johnson’s lack of time and action to pass the act. Unfortunately, like a car dealer, all Johnson could respond with was rhetoric words, which explained very little. For example, after being asked the question,” If he had felt so strongly about the issue, why had it taken so long to act on it?” LBJ responds with, “You will recognize the words I’m about to repeat. Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I’m free at last,” His response had minimal to no effect in answering the question. Ultimately, people didn’t want him to use magniloquence, but to actually take action. Lamentably, he failed to exhibit to his citizens any action. All in all, his poor response and the 1957 civil rights bill definitely reveals that signing the civil rights act of 1964 was just to help him in the next presidential
Furthermore, during this time Johnson was a majority leader of the senate and did not fully oppose segregation. As a result, he passed 1957 civil rights bill through congress. This allowed people of any race, religion, and gender to vote. However, the bill had a small effect to giving equality, it was barely noticed. The 1957 civil rights bill is what got many people to question his efforts in passing the civil rights act. They were skeptical because they thought that Johnson was going to pass another lousy act. After all, how can someone who was competent towards segregation suddenly start advocating integration. Not only does this event reveal that his decision was through politics, but it also shows when Roy Wilkins, a civil rights activist, questioned Johnson’s lack of time and action to pass the act. Unfortunately, like a car dealer, all Johnson could respond with was rhetoric words, which explained very little. For example, after being asked the question,” If he had felt so strongly about the issue, why had it taken so long to act on it?” LBJ responds with, “You will recognize the words I’m about to repeat. Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I’m free at last,” His response had minimal to no effect in answering the question. Ultimately, people didn’t want him to use magniloquence, but to actually take action. Lamentably, he failed to exhibit to his citizens any action. All in all, his poor response and the 1957 civil rights bill definitely reveals that signing the civil rights act of 1964 was just to help him in the next presidential