SJRCC PRESS RELEASE February 2008 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners "How Has the Civil Rights Act Affected You or Your Family?" 1st Place - Carmela Sturgell - Orange Park 2nd Place - Brittany Westergard - Dual Enrollment 3rd Place - Allen Ball - Orange Park Thank you everyone for your time and talent and prizes! Prizes were awarded at the 50th Anniversary Celebration in the Student Center by Coach Kirkpatrick. 1st Place - Carmela Sturgell How does Civil Rights affect me and my family? These are the questions I pondered deep in my mind. As an immigrant, neither of my ancestors were even here during the Civil Rights movement, nor was I born at the time. Where do I stand on all of this? Upon learning through reading and asking questions about the movement, I began to think about and admire the courage of the people who made such a big difference in this country. The Civil Rights movement led by African Americans fought to end segregation in this country as they are also citizens and deserve equal rights. As I read about slavery, these peopleÕs ancestors had endured harsh treatment by the hands of their masters, harsh treatment from society, and faced hardships on the plantation. Often wondering what the future would bring to them and their children. Slavery was an awful institutionalized system that hurt all in this country. The cause of mayhem during the quest for equal rights in the 60's, many people were hurt, beaten and shot. People of all races gather together for a change from segregation. They where tired and nobody was going to stop them anymore. Time had come to leave the past and end the brutality of segregation. After all, we are all human; there is no difference between you and me. Martin Luther said, "I had a dream" that one day we will be all united no matter what our race. I know now, where I stand on all of this, I am here standing tall just like the rest of the people in this country. It did affect me and my children as well, because I have an equal right to be judged by the content of my character and not the color of my skin. 2nd Place - Brittany Westergard The Civil Rights Act was a great movement. It had a great affect on many people. Some people were against it. The movement broke many barriers. The Civil Rights Act has shown me that when a group of people are unified anything is possible. Martin Luther King Jr. said' "I have a dream..." that dream came true. Like him, we all have dreams whether they are big or little they are still dreams. We may not feel like our dreams will have an affect on anyone else, however, one day they will. I personally have many dreams. From what I have read and seen, the Civil Rights Act was not strongly supported by everyone, but the goal was accomplished. This movement has taught me that if I am confident in and committed to my dream all my dreams can come true. I have heard that Sunday morning is still a divided time in America. We have all probably heard the term "black church" or "white church," I still believe that I will see a day where whites and blacks worship God in the same church. I am currently a member of a church where blacks, whites, Asians, Hispanics, and many other races worship God together. Many of my friends are a race other than white. What the Civil Rights Act accomplished so many years ago is seen in my generation today. I hope more people will see that all races are made the same; we were all made in God's image. We should not judge people because of the color of their skin. Everyday we all need to ask God to help us with the way we look at other races. We need to show God's love to all people in the world. 3rd Place - Allen Ball As for me, the Civil Rights Act has allowed me to see the world in a new perspective. I've never really thought much about what it would be like if we were still segregated, but this paper gives me that chance. I know for a fact that I really don't view people as black or white I just look and see a human being with feelings, emotions, a personality and I just go on with my business. As for my Father, he has explained to me how much of a struggle it was for the town he resided in. As a young boy growing up in Virginia, he explained how many of the African American and the White folk believed they should not pass the law. At that moment in time, everyone was perfectly content and comfortable with the way life was. They went on and did what they had to do with little interference from the "other" race. It was a selfish act yet it was all they were accustomed to. Although I was too young at the time, now the act is in play everyday of my life. My jobsite is multiracial as is my college. Now a days it is just something that we take for granted knowing that we can all get along. It is very important to me to know that just because I am "white," I am not going to be looked down upon or talked down to by a person of another race. So all in all, I believe this was a crucial step in American history to allow for the greatest country in the world to unite and just keep growing stronger! Return to SJRCC home page.