Series Description
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was, to date, the most sweeping civil rights legislation enacted in the United States, promising “to promote a more abiding commitment to freedom, a more constant pursuit of justice, and a deeper respect for human dignity.” [LBJ remarks upon signing CRA of 1964]. Dr. King referred to it as a “second emancipation” ending the post-Reconstruction Jim Crow laws and placing in the federal government, the power to enforce against state-sanctioned discrimination in voting access, public accommodations, public facilities, education, federally funded public services, and employment. While the promise of a fully equitable society has not been realized, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has been critically important in closing the disparity gap not only for Black Americans, but for all marginalized communities.
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in SFFA v. Harvard, those who oppose concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion have weaponized the decision to argue against any programs that are created to protect the rights of and access for underrepresented or marginalized communities, particularly in the workplace and places of public accommodation. Even before the decision, we have seen a barrage of state-based legislation implementing broad bans on books, limiting culturally inclusive curriculums, barring discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, challenging parental authority and medical advice for trans youth, and the compromising of reproductive health. Proponents of these policies often cite protecting religious freedom, children, and state’s rights as their reason, but is the goal bigger?
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. This series highlighted why the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was and is still necessary, how the spate of legislative and legal challenges to established freedoms are an effort to roll back the protections of the Act, and finally, what we can do to protect those freedoms.