Sixty years ago, US congressmen passed1 a new law to end discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex and national origin. The Civil Rights Act2 of 1964 was the crowning achievement3 of the civil rights movement. It marked a new era of legislative equality. The landmark4 law continues to protect voter rights and prohibit racial segregation and employment discrimination. Its introduction, however, was the result of a long and difficult journey.
RACIAL TENSION
After the American Civil War, the abolition of slavery did not create equality in the United States. The 14th Amendment5 was added to the Constitution in 1868, granting6 citizenship to formerly enslaved people. It also gave citizens equal protection under the law. However, over a century later, despite many additional acts, laws and executive orders, discrimination was…
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Speak Up (Digital) - 1 Issue, No 467