Essay on Civil Rights Act of 1964 - 6131 Words

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Danielle Endler Human Resources 4050, Spring 2013 Semester Professor David Penkrot May 3, 2013 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is considered by some to be one of the most important laws in American history. (The Most Important Cases, Speeches, Laws Documents in American History) This Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964 and it is a â€Å"comprehensive federal statute aimed at reducing discrimination in public accommodations and employment situations.† (Feuerbach Twomey, 2010) Specifically, it aimed at prohibiting â€Å"discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), and religion.† (Civil Rights Act of 1964, 2010) Additionally, it also†¦show more content†¦It also allowed black men to join the Union Army and Navy, â€Å"enabling the liberated to become liberators.† (The Emancipation Proclamation) The big change in slavery and the fight for equality did not come until the Thirteenth Amendment was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865 and ratified by the states on December 6, 1 865. With this event, it was declared that â€Å"neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.† (13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution) Although this Amendment did give slaves their freedom, it did not guarantee them the same rights nor the same treatment that other citizens of the United States had and took for granted. This was especially seen in the states that â€Å"enacted ‘black codes’ that were intended to limit the civil rights of the newly free slaves.† (Civil Rights) These â€Å"black codes† and the obvious difference in treatment were a large issue, and they were later addressed in the Constitution with the introduction of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified on July 9, 1868 and it made large changes for black individuals. This Amendment â€Å"granted citizenship to ‘all persons born or naturalized in the United States,’ which included former slaves recently freed.† (14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution) It also â€Å"forbids states from denyingShow MoreRelatedCivil Rights Act of 19641840 Words   |  8 PagesBefore the Civil Rights Act of 1964, segregation in the United States was commonly practiced in many of the Southern and Border States. This segregation while supposed to be separate but equal, was hardly that. Blacks in the South were discriminated against repeatedly while laws did nothing to protect their individual rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ridded the nation of this legal segregation and cleared a path towards equality and integration. The passage of this Act, while forever alteringRead More Civil Rights Act of 1964 Essay1338 Words   |  6 Pages The Civil Rights Act of 1964 resulted from one of the most controversial House and Senate debates in history. It was als o the biggest piece of civil rights legislation ever passed. The bill actually evolved from previous civil rights bills in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. The bill passed through both houses finally on July 2, 1964 and was signed into law at 6:55 P.M. EST by President Lyndon Johnson. The act was originally drawn up in 1962 under President Kennedy before his assassinationRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 1964879 Words   |  4 PagesPresident John F. Kennedy s New Frontier programs, Johnson wanted to expand civil rights and wage war on poverty. More than fifty years later, the effects of the Great Society on American life can still be felt. Civil rights fell under the scope of Johnson s Great Society programs. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law that ended discrimination in the US at all levels of government. Without the Civil Rights Act of 1964, blacks and other people of color would not have the opportunity to runRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 1964925 Words   |  4 PagesAmericans and even immigrants are afforded their basic civil rights based on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act, which was signed into law on July 2, 1964, declared all discrimination for any reason based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin will be deemed illegal in the United States (National Park Service, n.d.). When the act was enacted, people had to become more open minded; more accepting to the various cultures and backgrounds of individuals. Understanding that concept leadsRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 1964848 Words   |  4 PagesVII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, followed by a brief description of person al experiences involving discrimination, and concluding with a reflection as to how the American workforce is protected by law. The writing will cover any ethically related issues, personal thoughts and ideas, and illustrations of how the law pertains directly to personal events, as well as provide direct links to any and all reference material covered under the purpose of this writing. Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964 TheRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 19641702 Words   |  7 Pagessubject to, and the subject of, discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 originally did not include gender in the bill’s wording. Were it not for a backhanded comment made in jest by a backward congressman, women would not have been afforded equal rights protection in employment (Freeman, 1991; 2004). President Harry Truman inaugurated the legal Civil Rights Movement. Though people of color had long been yearning and fighting for their rights, President Truman began this legal process nationallyRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 19641106 Words   |  5 Pages†(Cassanello). The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the most influential event in the Civil Rights Movement because it paved way for ending discrimination and segregation, and giving more rights to African- Americans. During the Civil Rights Movement African- Americans were fighting to get their rights that were being taken away from them little by little. Starting in 1955 and going well into the late 1960’s early 1970’s, African- Americans started to protest against discriminatory laws and acts such as JimRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 1964880 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween conflicting viewpoints are still being faced by Americans today. (Tiona/Claire) Equality for African Americans has made remarkable progress since the approval of the Civil Rights Act, but discrimination continues. A significant step towards racial equality was the Civil Rights Act of 1964, proposed by John F. Kennedy. This act brought an end to segregation in public facilities such as buses, restaurants, hotels, and places of entertainment. It also banned employment discrimination on the termsRead MoreThe Civil Right Act Of 19641072 Words   |  5 PagesTitle VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964, and both under the Disparate Treatment and Disparate Impact. Dunlap feels that he has been discriminated during the interview process. The district court concluded that TVAs subjective hiring process permitted racial bias against the plaintiff and other black job applicants. Tennessee Valley Authorities was found guilty of discrimination against the plaintiff. The Title Vii of the Civil Right Act of 1964 enforces the constitutional right to vote, to conferRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 19641659 Words   |  7 Pagestask of passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, officially outlawing discrimination on the basis of origin, gender, race or religion. Discrimination was an issue that not only permeated educational, governmental, occupational and recreational institutions, but also affected the way in which the Bill of Rights was applied to certain groups of people. Though much of the focus of the movement focused on race, women were still fighting to be seen as equal to men. The Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress