The Equal Rights Struggle Expands Other groups borrowed

“The Equal Rights Struggle Expands” Other groups borrowed heavily from the Civil Rights struggles of African Americans: § They created organizations similar to the SCLC and SNCC to fight for their cause § Many used non-violent protests to bring attention to their causes § Laws passed due to the African American civil rights movement protected the rights of members of these other groups as well

Mexican Americans Organize • By 1960’s most Mexican Americans lived in the cities of the southwest • La Raza Unida (“United People”) – organization formed in 1970 that fought for better jobs, pay, education, housing, and to elect Mexican American candidates

Mexican Americans (continued) • Cesar Chavez – started a union for migrant farmers in California – Used non-violent protests, strikes, and boycotts – won a contract with higher pay and better benefits

Mexican Americans (continued) • Cinco de Mayo – May 5 th holiday which celebrates the 1862 victory of Mexico over France (holiday for Mexican national and cultural pride)

• Mexican American students in the Southwest fought for better schools, more courses on Mexican-American culture and history, and more Mexican-American teachers • By mid 1970’s many of the school reforms that the students called for had been made

Hispanic Diversity • Hispanics trace their roots to Spanishspeaking countries and cultures • Hispanic Americans come from different countries, so they often have differences – Mexicans concerned about immigration to the U. S. and citizenship – Cubans worried about the freedom of their home country from communism – Puerto Ricans (P. R. a territory of the U. S. ) are not worried about either issue

Native Americans Unite • Termination Policy – U. S. govt. policy in 1953 that ended federal protection of the reservation land held by tribes • National Congress of American Indians – founded in 1944 – promoted pride in traditional Native American cultures – led protests against the termination policy National Congress of American Indians logo

Native Americans Unite (continued) • American Indian Movement – fought a more aggressive campaign for rights and recognition of tribal laws AIM leader Russell Means – Occupied the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1972 for 7 days in protest

• Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 – gave tribal governments more control over social programs, law enforcement, and education on reservations • Issues today for Native Americans relate to hunting and fishing rights, access to water, and casino gambling

The Women’s Movement • In the 1960’s women also demanded equal rights in job opportunities, pay, legal rights, and to keep jobs if pregnant • Betty Friedan – wrote The Feminine Mystique, a book that described the problems women faced in the 1950’s and 1960’s; and was one of the founders of N. O. W. ↑ Betty Friedan

The Women’s Movement (continued) • National Organization for Women (N. O. W. ) – organization formed in 1966 whose major goals were to help women get good jobs and equal pay for equal work NOW protest in New Jersey in 1972 ►

• Equal Rights Amendment (E. R. A. ) – Constitutional amendment passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification – It would guarantee women equal opportunities in jobs and education, and equal pay for equal work – Needed 38 states to ratify it by 1982 (only 35 did) – Other laws do protect the rights of women, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act ERA activists ►