Norman Rockwell's New Kids In The Neighborhood

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The Civil Rights Movement swept the nation in the late 50s and 60s. African Americans all across the nation fought for their right of equality. Norman Rockwell painted a series of painting depicting scenes of movement. His painting helped shape American Society during the 50s and 60s. In his painting “New Kids in the Neighborhood,” which consists of a young African American boy and girl who just moved into their new house being confronted by three white children. Rockwell uses this painting to show that even with the segregation of America we aren’t that different after all. The painting doesn’t seem very complex on first glance but by digging deeper the true meaning and depth begins to show. The painting is set up very simply with the two African …show more content…
For instance, both little girls have pink bows tied in their hair and two of the boys are both holding baseball golves. Rockwell shows that the two sets of children aren’t that different no matter what their skin color. The furniture across their nice furniture and fancy clothes are there to show they are just like everybody else. It seems as if Rockwell wanted to erase the stigma that African Americans were inferior by showing that they are just like everybody else, they play baseball, live in nice neighborhoods, and have just as nice of furniture as anybody else. Rockwell painted may picture throughout his long career. He spent a lot of time on the Civil Rights Movement, helping bring awareness toward a serious issue in America. His painting “New Kids in the Neighborhood” helped give light to the blatant housing discrimination, yet also show that no matter the skin color people are more similar than they might seem. Rockwell changed American culture for the better, and his painting continue to leave a lasting influence on