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Thesis Social Movements Against Racism Time for a New Kerner Commission?

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Thesis Social Movements Against Racism Time for a New Kerner Commission? Thesis Social Movements against Racism Time for a new Kerner Commission? Evelyne Timmermans Master Thesis Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Master in American Studies Ghent University Promotor: Professor Dario Fazzi Academic year 2014 - 2015 Table of contents Foreword ................................................................................................... 4 Abstract .................................................................................................... 5 Introduction............................................................................................... 6 1. Racial inequality in the US ................................................................... 8 2. Anti-racism social movements protecting civil rights of African American people (1960’s) ..................................................................................... 10 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 10 2.2 The Big Five ................................................................................. 12 2.3 Other movements ......................................................................... 15 2.4 Conclusion .................................................................................... 18 3. Government’s responses ................................................................... 18 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 18 3.2 Kerner Commission ....................................................................... 19 4. Current situation - Recent racism issues ............................................. 22 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 22 4.2 The most recent racism cases ......................................................... 22 4.3 Revenge ....................................................................................... 32 5. Citizens’ initiatives – A renewed rise of civil rights movements .............. 35 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 35 5.2 Social movements today ................................................................ 35 5.4 Social media ................................................................................. 43 5.3 Women opposing African American racism ........................................ 44 5.5 Conclusion: Individualism vs. collective action .................................. 45 6. Government’s responses ................................................................... 46 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 46 6.2 Obama’s response ......................................................................... 47 2 6.3 Conclusion .................................................................................... 50 7. The New Jim Crow? .......................................................................... 51 8. A new Kerner Commission ? .............................................................. 53 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 56 Bibliography ............................................................................................ 58 Books and Scientific Journals ................................................................ 58 Governmental Documents .................................................................... 59 Papers, Records, Dictionary, Lectures .................................................... 59 Video: TV programs, Interviews ............................................................ 59 Articles from Newspapers, Magazines and Websites ................................ 60 This thesis includes 15,095 words. 3 Foreword The recent race riots in the United States have received international media attention. In the context of my studies, ‘Master Program in American Studies’, I decided to write my thesis about this topical debate. Racism is a subject that relates to each of us, whether one lives in the United States, in Europe or in any other part of the world. Every single person deserves a foundation for his/her dreams. Hence, I asked myself the question, what is happening in the United States currently and what actions can be taken to solve this burden on a society. In my research, I was privileged to have a promotor who stood by my side with motivation, advice and an infinite intelligence. Professor Dario Fazzi, thank you for all the support. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Roosevelt Research Center in Middelburg (The Netherlands) for providing sources for this thesis. Thanks to all the Professors whose classes I had the opportunity to take this year and whose intelligence and passion for their work I cannot explain in words. Prof. K. Kennard, Prof. P. Codde, Prof. P. Schrijvers, Prof. I. Meuret, Prof. J.A. Dick, Prof. R. Kroes, your lectures, knowledge and dedication to your subjects were my motivation for writing this work piece. Last but not least, a sincere thank you to my family for the support and patience during the blood, sweat and tears. Evelyne Timmermans August 7, 2015 Ghent University 4 Abstract The dissertation ‘Social Movements against Racism. Time for a new Kerner Commission?’ (7th of August, 2015) was written by Evelyne Timmermans for the ‘Master Program in American Studies’ at Ghent University. Researching social movements from the 1960’s until now, the government’s responses and what current action should be taken provide an insight in the topical societal situation in the United States. The thesis lends a study of the current problems and suggests a possible road to change. The first chapter, ‘Racial inequality in the United States’ will frame the definition of racism and explore the paths that will guide the thesis. Chapter two, ‘Anti- racism social movements protecting civil rights of African American people (1960’s) provides a look back to the ‘Big Five’ and other civil rights movements. The third chapter explains the government’s reaction to these protest movements and reveals the Kerner Commission’s achievements and criticism. Chapter four provides an overview of the recent racism cases in the US and the revenge that was taken for the police brutalities. The following chapter, ‘5. Citizens’ initiatives – A renewed rise of civil rights movements’ lends an understanding of the movements which rose and are rising at the moment. Activists argue that it is high time for change. Social media are the ideal tool for uniting them and their individual actions. Chapter 6 clarifies the government’s responses, in particular President Obama’s valuation and measurements. ‘The New Jim Crow’, chapter 7, discloses the question whether the American society is moving again towards a ‘separate but equal’ one. Lastly, the question will be answered whether it is time for a new Kerner Commission in order to achieve steady changes. The conclusion covers the research questions posed in the introduction of the thesis and explains what measures must be taken if a new Kerner Report should be found necessary. 5 Introduction Racism has been part of American history ever since the land was discovered in 1492. Today, every twenty-eight hours, an African American man dies in a police incident in the United States. Most victims do not even make the local news. Although, from time to time, an African American victim gets media attention in the state in question. But only exceptionally, the case will become national news. More than fifty years after Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech and six years after the election of America’s first Afro-American President, the rising racial violence demonstrates just how sensitive the issue remains. America's worst nightmare, mass racial violence still continues. Thousands tipped onto the streets across the US to protest at what they see as police mistreatment of African Americans. Racism seems to be so deeply embedded in police corpses that it is currently seen as a basic fact of life in the US. Unequal treatment of Afro-American civilians is indeed a daily issue. They often have to deal with higher penalties than whites, more speeding tickets than whites and nine out of ten cases, a police dog attacks an African American person. People of color are systematically perceived as a threat by white cops and court officials. For example, data from 2012-2014 shows that, in Ferguson (MO), Afro-American people are involved in 85% of all the traffic controls, 90% of all the summonses and 93% of all the arrests.1 Reading an article, arguing that, during his terms, Obama had to deal with racism more than any other President before him, triggered my interest for this subject.2 As an African American man, ruling a nation which is swarmed with racial prejudices is a task which can only be conducted if one truly believes that through political moves, social and racial equality can be achieved. Racism is not an exclusively Afro-American problem, or a white problem; it is an American problem. Furthermore, it is still deeply a problem which is dividing this ‘united’ nation. 1 US Department of Justice. (2015). Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department. Ferguson, Missouri: US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Retrieved on March 4, 2015, from http://www.justice.gov/. 2 RABAEY, M., Zelfs Obama #cantbreathe. De Morgen, December 12th, 2014, p. 12-13. 6 To have a clear vision on what kind of socio-political progresses have
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