In the early 16th century, African Americans were stripped of their natural rights as they were sold as property and used for labor. Throughout history, they have gained rights as individuals and achieved equality as members of the nation. Because of the cruelty exercised against them in previous centuries, their fellow African Americans and people of other races fulfilled their responsibilities by helping them free themselves by rebelling, and now they have transformed themselves into heroic figures thanks to their courage. This time marks the struggles to realize the Civil Rights Movement, which worked to end racial segregation and provide Africans with the constitutional right to vote. Throughout the history of the United States, the most common argument is one relating to the rights and responsibilities of the nation and the people. The group that was most affected by the lack of rights and equality were African Americans, who had suffered as slaves since 1619 in Virginia. Not only have they been traded around the world as property instead of people, but they have been harshly discriminated against over the years because of their natal color and origin. Although slavery is unheard of in U.S. history today, in previous years African Americans had no rights as individuals and lacked the equality they have now gained through the advancement of many heroic figures. The rights of African Americans are very crucial to the topic. “Rights and responsibilities”, because in previous centuries it had more racism, slavery and cruelty. Now African Americans have more rights and have become equal members of society. This was an important change in the history of the United States because it shows the progress... middle of paper... form and white people would watch and admire their talent. This helped them gain fame, individuality, and respect from other races. Although African Americans had always participated in wars when there was a need, it was not until 1948 when Harry S. Truman ruled that Africans could be commissioned into the U.S. Navy and considered soldiers. However, although African Americans were now prohibited from being slaves, they were still segregated. Many leaders fought against this segregation, including Martin Luther King, who believed in the equality of all people. He gave fiery speeches to help the African-American cause. He was president of the Montgomery Association and led the public bus boycott in Montgomery. The protest attracted many people to listen to his beliefs and fight together with him to end segregation.