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Worldview Analysis – Civil Rights
Chris Perez
Liberty University
Govt200 Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise
Professor Debra Neville
January 31, 2022
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Civil Rights and Process Philosophy-Past
In 1860 there were 4,441,830 African Americans in America and of that number 89% of
African Americans were slaves. Civil rights have been a core issue since the founding of
America in 1776. Creating a country with fair treatment and rights for all was ultimately the
basis for the founding of the United States of America. Civil Rights has been a widely disputed
topic since the beginning and has been brought to the country by a means of process philosophy
and has transformed our society to the current America that we live in now. Although the country
is not perfect in terms of civil rights, leaps and bounds have been made in shaping the country to
allow equal rights for citizens of different ethnicities and/or race. With the beginning of the
abolition of slavery in 1862 Abraham Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation freeing most
slaves and laying the foundation for the civil rights movement that we would see in 1954.
Abraham Lincoln believed slavery was morally wrong and that, no man should be held by
involuntary servitude. Ultimately everyone should have the same equal rights regardless of
religion, race, creed, or culture. Then on January 31, 1865 the United States Constitution was
revised by adding the 13th amendment and destroying the institution of slavery freeing all slaves
in all U.S. States and territories.
When looking at Process Philosophy Ferdon defines it as, “a process view of life that
emphasizes becoming and progressive knowledge leading to a perfect society.” Civil rights in
America have been disputably one of Americas largest issues plaguing society. The case of
Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 resulted in one of the most flawed decisions set by the Supreme
Court in which the Court ruled that racial segregation laws did not violate the U.S. Constitution
if the facilities for each race were equal in quality, a doctrine that came to be known as "separate
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but equal” making it one of the most influential supreme court cases. Plessy v. Ferguson would
enable segregation by not offering African Americans equality regardless of the inferior quality
of services and facilities. The facilities offered to African Americans during the time were
beyond lesser quality. The Plessy vs. Ferguson case resulted in laws being passed by state
legislation that enabled segregation of schools, transportation, restaurants, and neighborhoods.
The Plessy vs. Ferguson set the scene for the infringement of civil rights which was to much
dismay the world view for the period. African Americans were considered an inferior race of
people. Inter-race procreation and socialization was strictly forbidden, and the separation of races
were considered for the better of society to create a perfect society.
Process Philosophy and Civil Rights- Present
The 1896 decision of Plessy vs. Ferguson was partially overruled by the Brown vs. Board
of Education of Topeka, (347 U.S. 483, 1954), ultimately sparking the civil rights movement.
The U.S. Supreme Court inevitably decided that segregation in public schools was
unconstitutional, paving the way for integration. This case would turn out to be a major victory
for the civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s and became precedence for future litigation.
The Process Philosophy of post Brown V.S. Board of Education started to change the world view
of Civil Rights in America shifting the way society should integrate. The Civil Rights movement
would lay the foundation for great leaders of the African American community, to fight against
the injustice of people for years to come. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks,
John Lewis, and Thurgood Marshall worked hard and inspired countless people to work for the
injustices of the African American community. These leaders contributed to several movements
that would inevitably shape the civil rights movement such as the Montgomery bus boycotts,
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March on Washington, and the Selma March. These leaders were undoubtably the voice of the
community during the period and for future generations to come.
The result of litigation and movements in the 19th and 20th century transformed civil
rights in the late 19th century more African Americans had received an education and professional
careers than ever before. Prominent African American figures are still working hard to fight for
the civil rights of people and continue their work throughout the world. The famous “I have a
dream” speech is a perfect example of process philosophy of modern day to reverse the injustices
brought to minority communities. Currently Civil rights are still being fought for, although times
have changed there is still continued work for the rights of minorities, (women, homosexuals,
elderly and ones of different races).
The Biblical Principle(s) on Civil Rights and Process Philosophy
When examining the bible, you can find an abundant of scripture that speaks upon civil
rights. God is great and he crated all men and women equal and only he can judge the
righteousness of human. Galatians 3:28 reads, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave
nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” God clearly states we
are all one people under him, and he created all of us equal. The fact that humankind segregates
one another is immoral and unjust under the word of God. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God
created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he
created them.” The Scripture is clear and concise that God created all men and women equal, and
the righteousness of human shall be judged by only God himself. Process philosophy has
transformed our society to what can only be a better place, although there is more work to be
done society in general is on the right track.
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References
Supreme Court of the Unites States. (1895) U.S. Reports: Plessy v.s. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537.
[Periodical] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/items/usrep16537/
Warren, E. & Supreme Court of The United States. (1953) U.S. Reports: Brown v. Board of
Education, 347 U.S. 483
Ferdon. (2019). Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise: A Biblical Christian Worldview
Approach and Emphasis Interactive Notes. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf].
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781792402081/
Bible gateway passage: Galatians 3:28 – New International Version. (2016). Bible Gateway.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203%3A28&version=NIV
Bible gateway passage: Genisis 1:27– New International Version. (2016). Bible Gateway.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A27&version=NIV
