THE LOST PRIORITY: What Happened to the Civil Rights Movement in America?

by John Herbers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1970

What veteran New York Times reporter John Herbers thinks happened to the civil rights movement in America (i.e., the nonviolent, idealistic, highly moral movement of the early 1960's that aimed at integration and racial reconciliation) is that it was never given a full chance to succeed. Such a crusade could have worked in this country, Herbers insists, because there is indeed (as Gunnar Myrdal pointed out in 1944) an American Dilemma: an unresolved contradiction between American preaching and American practice. Via persistent prodding of white consciences and a strong federal commitment, the ""American Creed"" can win the day, with liberty and justice for all. The year 1965 is crucial in Herbers' historical review of recent civil rights history, for up to that point the nation was moving toward ""a solution to its racial malady."" A combination of unfortunate developments pushed the country off this hopeful course, chief among them the Johnson Administration's sudden shift in priorities (to Vietnam First), lack of sensitivity, and errors in judgment that encouraged the trend toward violence, polarization, cynicism, and ""backlash."" Herbers' analysis ranges freely over the record of race relations past and present, focusing particularly on events and evolutions which support his thesis of 1965 as turning point: the Selma voter registration drive, the Moynihan report controversy, the spread of civil rights activity to the North, the school desegregation struggle, the slackening of federal enforcement efforts, the widespread loss of faith that ""we shall overcome,"" and the beginnings of ""black power."" Though ""black power"" imparts psychological strength, it rejects reconciliation and denies the American Dream. Herbers thinks America can redeem her promises, but the burden is on the white majority ""to demonstrate, once again, its essential validity."" Rather loosely structured, with journalistic sidelights and uneven emphases, this is a regretful record of what-might-have-been and a wistful appeal to what-might-yet-be.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Funk & Wagnalls

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION