What are Civil Rights?

Civil Rights refers to the positive acts governments take to protect against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government or individuals.

The Civil War Amendments• Thirteenth Amendment: banned all forms of

slavery and involuntary servitude• Fourteenth Amendment: guarantees equal

protection of the laws and due process to all citizens

• Fifteenth Amendment: specifically gives black men the right to vote

Shortly after ratification the Southern states devised ways around these amendments by passing laws (Black Codes) that restricted opportunities for black Americans.

Sample Questions from a Literacy TestState of Louisiana

One wrong answer denotes failure of the test. (10 min) 1. Draw a line around the number or letter of this sentence.

2. Draw a line under the last word in this line.3. Cross out the longest word in this line.4. Draw a line around the shortest word in this line.5. Circle the first, first letter of the alphabet in this line.6. In the space below draw three circles, one inside the other.7. Above the letter X make a small cross.8. Draw a line through the letter below that comes earliest in the alphabet.

ZVSEDGMKYTPHC9. Draw a line through the letter below that comes last in the alphabet.

ZVSEDGMKYTPHC10. In the space below write the word noise backwards and place a dot over

what would be its second letter should it have been written forward.11. Give your age in days.

Women are Allowed to Vote

• Coalition of women’s groups secured the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) guaranteeing all women the right to vote.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964:• Outlawed arbitrary discrimination in voter registration.• Barred discrimination in public accommodation.• Authorized the U.S. Justice Department to initiate

lawsuits to desegregate schools and public facilities.• Allowed the federal government to withhold funds from

discriminatory state and local programs.• Prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color,

religion, national origin, or sex.• Created the Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission (EEOC) to monitor and enforce bans on employment discrimination.

1965 Voting Rights Act

• The Act applied a nationwide prohibition against the denial or abridgment of the right to vote on the literacy tests on a nationwide basis.

• It also contained special enforcement provisions targeted at those areas of the country where Congress believed the potential for discrimination to be the greatest.

24th Amendment

• “The right of citizens of the United States to vote (in federal elections), shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.”

• “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

• 1972-1982 ratification attempt came up three states short of the 38 needed.

• Why?

Equal Rights Amendment

Americans with Disabilities Act

• Defined a disabled person as someone with a physical or mental impairment that limits “life activities.”

• Guaranteed access to public facilities, employment and communication services.

• Required employers and governments to make necessary adjustments.

Is there equality in America today?

• Gays and lesbians – “Don’t ask, don’t tell”• Illegal immigrants