In the 1900's, protests began to rise in America against deeply rooted attitudes of racism and discrimination.  The campaign for equality expanded and gained momentum in the mid -1900's.  Although the Civil Rights movement could not overcome all the obstacles that stood in the way of full citizenship, it achieved some stunning successes, along with the battles that were fought in the earlier part of the century. There were many men, as well as women, responsible for these successes.  Some of these men fought for equality in schools, giving black children the same chances as whites, and others fought through their writing.  The important thing is that they fought hard and long and eventually their fight made a difference in the lives of African Americans everywhere.