Civil Rights Act of 1964

President Kennedy addresses nation on Civil Rights, 11 June 1963

Civil rights leaders meet with President John F. Kennedy2

MLK and Malcolm X USNWR cropped

Lyndon Johnson signing Civil Rights Act, 2 July, 1964

Senate vote on final passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (HR 7152)

Civil Rights Act of 1964 - amendment adding "sex" -- high-resolution

Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark piece of civil rights and United States labor law legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace, and by facilities that served the general public (known as "public accommodations").

Background

Prior to the Civil Rights Act, the American civil rights movement had been gaining momentum, especially with the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, which ruled the segregation of public schools unconstitutional, and the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-1956. Despite these advances, African Americans and other minorities continued to face widespread discrimination and segregation in public accommodations, education, and employment.

Provisions

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is divided into eleven titles, each addressing different aspects of discrimination:

• Title I - Barred unequal application of voter registration requirements.
• Title II - Outlawed discrimination in hotels, motels, restaurants, theaters, and all other public accommodations engaged in interstate commerce.
• Title III - Prohibited state and municipal governments from denying access to public facilities on grounds of race, color, religion, or national origin.
• Title IV - Encouraged the desegregation of public schools and authorized the U.S. Attorney General to file suits to enforce said act.
• Title V - Expanded the Civil Rights Commission established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957 with additional powers, rules, and procedures.
• Title VI - Prevents discrimination by government agencies that receive federal funds.
• Title VII - Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• Title VIII - Established the Community Relations Service, tasked with assisting in community disputes involving claims of discrimination.
• Title IX - Made it easier to move civil rights cases from state courts with segregationist sympathies to federal court.
• Title X - Established the Community Relations Service, aimed at helping resolve racial disputes.
• Title XI - Miscellaneous provisions related to the above sections.

Impact

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had a profound impact on American society. It paved the way for subsequent legislation aimed at further reducing discrimination, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Act also played a crucial role in the development of the civil rights movement, providing legal backing for the push towards equality.

Controversies and Challenges

Despite its significant achievements, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 faced considerable opposition. Some critics argued that it infringed on states' rights, while others believed it did not go far enough in addressing discrimination. Over the years, various aspects of the Act have been challenged in court. However, the core principles of the Act have been upheld, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of civil rights legislation in the United States.

Legacy

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 remains one of the most important legal achievements in the American civil rights movement. It has served as a model for subsequent anti-discrimination laws and has had a lasting impact on American society, promoting equality and justice for all citizens regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.