The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that banned discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The act prohibited segregation in public places, such as parks, courthouses, schools, and workplaces and addressed voting rights, housing, and employment. 

In addition, the act established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC, which is tasked with investigating claims of discrimination in the workplace and has the authority to file lawsuits. The act is the most significant legislative achievement of the civil rights movement.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964: Summary

The Civil Rights Act transformed American politics and society. It was the culmination of years of struggle by brave civil rights activists who demanded an end to the Jim Crow laws - a collection of statues that legalized segregation and marginalized African American communities. 

African Americans were deprived of fundamental rights and privileges, including the right to vote, equal education, and the right to hold a job. The Act ended the enforcement of the laws, which were upheld by the Supreme Court in 1896. 

The turning point came in 1963 with the Birmingham Campaign and the March on Washington

The March on Washington was a crucial moment in the civil rights movement, as it helped to mobilize public opinion in support of the federal civil rights law. The march also served as a rallying point for the movement, which helped to ensure the passage of the act into law. The most famous moment of the protest was Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream'' speech, which helped to inspire millions of Americans to join civil rights protests and do their bit for the cause. 

Just a few months earlier, the Birmingham Campaign that sought to end segregation in that city and centered around nonviolent protests culminated in police unleashing water cannons and attack dogs on children and young students. These disturbing images and the broader campaign are believed to have played an important role in pushing President John F. Kennedy and his administration to draft the Civil Rights Act bill. 

But even though the civil rights legislation was originally proposed by Kennedy in 1963, it was met with strong opposition from southern lawmakers. In some ways, Kennedy's assassination in November 1963 helped to rally support for the bill, and it was eventually passed by Congress in 1964 before being signed into law by Kennedy's successor Lyndon Johnson. The act was immensely controversial at the time, but it has played a tremendously important role in advancing justice and equality in America.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

American society benefited significantly from Title VII, which outlaws discrimination by employers and labor unions and ensures more objective hiring practices. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of gender, race, religion, or national origin. The law was later amended to include a ban on discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. It applies to all employers with 15 or more employees and covers all aspects of the employment relationship, from hiring to firing. 

Title VII also prohibits retaliation against employees who assert their rights under the law. If an employee believes that they have been the victim of discrimination, they can contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which investigates the matter and can file a lawsuit on the employee’s behalf. 

In the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII is one of the most far-reaching sections as it protects workers' rights and ensures that all Americans are given the opportunity to find a job in any field.

The Act was passed by Congress in 1964 and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The law contains a number of provisions that protect the civil rights of all Americans. For example, it prohibits discrimination in public accommodations such as hotels and restaurants, and it also establishes federal enforcement mechanisms to ensure that states comply with federal law. In addition, the Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The act also ended segregation in schools, workplaces, and public facilities. 

But knowing which provisions the Civil Rights Act of 1964 included is just as important as knowing about its exemptions. For example, the act does not extend to certain private clubs and religious organizations. Also, this piece of legislation only demanded that all voters be treated equally, but it was the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that put an end to so-called literacy tests that were a prerequisite to voting.  

The Impact on Society

In the nearly six decades since its adoption, the Civil Rights Act reshaped American society. Prior to the act’s introduction, many African Americans had been denied basic rights, such as the right to vote, attend public schools, and use public facilities. The law changed all that, opening up opportunities for people of color that had previously been nonexistent. Perhaps most importantly, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had an impact on breaking down the legal barriers that had prevented African Americans from fully participating in the economic, social, and political life of the country. In short, it helped foster a more diverse and inclusive society. 

However, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has also been met with resistance from some quarters. In recent years, there have been a number of challenges to its provisions, and its implementation has not always been smooth. 

America Still Faces Civil Rights Challenges 

The US has come a long way since the days of slavery and the Jim Crow laws, but the fight for civil rights is far from over. While overt discrimination is no longer legal, minorities still face significant obstacles in many areas of daily life. 

Despite the far-reaching impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, people of color are still more likely to live in poverty than whites, and they are also more likely to be unemployed or underemployed. In addition, minorities are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, both as suspects and as inmates.

These disparities cannot be explained away by socioeconomic factors alone; they are also the result of institutionalized racism that has persisted throughout American history. Also, members of the LGBTQ community still face discrimination and violence, despite advances in recent years, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage. 

In addition, the US government still needs to do more to ensure the rights of immigrants and address expulsion proceedings. As long as these disparities remain, America will not be living up to its promise of liberty, equality, and justice for all.