July 2nd became a momentous occasion in American history when in 1964, president Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The event is considered one of the crowning legislative achievements of the civil rights movement led in great part by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As some might be aware, this guide explores the inevitable polarity of the human condition. On today’s event we can creatively visualize how the work of leaders like Dr. King resulted in a more equitable society. Unfortunately, not everyone shared his vision (even to this day in 2021). President Johnson for instance was one of the most prejudiced presidents in American history.
Johnson biographer Robert Caro sheds light on Johnson’s blatant racism. He notes that Johnson is said to have replied as follows to a black chauffeur who told him he’d prefer to be called by name instead of “boy,” “nigger” or “chief:”
“As long as you are black, and you’re gonna be black till the day you die, no one’s gonna call you by your goddamn name. So no matter what you are called, nigger, you just let it roll off your back like water, and you’ll make it. Just pretend you’re a goddamn piece of furniture.” Explore more here.
Regardless of the polarizing dynamics of this momentous occasion, the result is that traditionally oppressed people now have a tool that can help them navigate and defend themselves from the inevitable and polarizing dynamics that define the human condition in a society as diverse as the United States of America.
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