The focus of the civil rights movement expanded beyond desegregation and voting rights because civil rights leaders recognized that discrimination and inequality were pervasive throughout American society and affected many areas of life beyond just access to public facilities and voting booths. They understood that to achieve true equality, they needed to address systemic issues such as employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and police brutality.
Civil rights leaders began to advocate for civil rights using strategies other than nonviolent resistance because they saw the need for a more comprehensive approach to achieve their goals. One strategy was the use of legal challenges to discriminatory laws and practices. This involved filing lawsuits to challenge discriminatory policies in employment, education, housing, and other areas. Civil rights lawyers, such as Thurgood Marshall, played a critical role in this strategy.
Another strategy was to engage in economic boycotts and protests. For example, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-56 demonstrated the economic power of African Americans and forced the city of Montgomery to end its policy of segregating public transportation.
Civil rights leaders also began to focus on increasing political power and representation. They sought to register voters, educate the public, and run candidates for political office. This approach led to the creation of groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Black Panther Party.
Overall, the expansion of the civil rights movement beyond desegregation and voting rights was driven by a recognition that discrimination and inequality were deeply entrenched in American society and required a multi-faceted approach to address. Civil rights leaders used a variety of strategies, including legal challenges, economic boycotts, and political organizing, to advance their cause.