“To Fulfill These Rights”

"To Fulfill These Rights"Lyndon B. Johnson1 OVERVIEW President Lyndon B. Johnson entered the presidency determined to achieve passage of JohnF. Kennedy’s civil rights bill. In 1964 Johnson signed into law the most comprehensive civilrights legislation enacted up to that time. In March 1965, Johnson promised to send a bill toCongress that would guarantee African Americans the right to vote. The 1965 Voting RightsAct finally gave political power to African Americans. Johnson gave an important speech onthe subject of inequality at Howard University on June 4, 1965. Excerpts from the speechappear here. GUIDED READING As you read, consider the following questions:• What does President Johnson believe is the next step in the battle for civil rights?• What is “American justice”?Our earth is the home of revolution.In every corner of every continent men charged with hope contend withancient ways in the pursuit of justice. They reach for the newest of weapons torealize the oldest of dreams; that each may walk in freedom and pride,stretching his talents, enjoying the fruits of the earth.Our enemies may occasionally seize the day of change. But it is the bannerof our revolution they take. And our own future is linked to this process ofswift and turbulent change in many lands in the world. But nothing in anycountry touches us more profoundly, nothing is more freighted with meaningfor our own destiny, than the revolution of the Negro American.In far too many ...