Essays on Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. It was passed by Congress in July 1964, and signed into law by President Lyndon B Johnson on July 2nd, 1964. The act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin in employment practices and public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels and theaters. The passing of this landmark legislation marked a significant milestone for civil rights activists who had long fought for equal rights for African Americans throughout the United States. For decades prior to its passage, African Americans were subjected to segregation in many areas of life due to Jim Crow laws that allowed white people to discriminate against black people with impunity. With the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, those discriminatory laws were abolished and replaced with federal protection from discrimination under Title VII – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This meant employers could no longer deny jobs based upon race or gender. In addition to outlawing workplace discrimination based upon race or gender, it also prohibited unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools. Provisions within the act furthered civil rights initiatives by prohibiting all forms of discrimination including refusal to serve customers at businesses serving the general public such as restaurant’s bars and buses; outlawing sex-based wage differentials; allowing access to public facilities regardless of race; banning segregated housing sales policies; requiring fair voting districts; protecting minority related language education programs; providing greater access for disabled individuals through new construction standards; creating government affirmative action plans designed specifically for women and minorities among other provisions provided under Title VI – Civil Rights Act Amendments 1968 which further expanded protections offered within the original bill. This groundbreaking piece of legislation helped set a legal precedent that would shape future civil rights reforms across America . It laid down an important foundation from which individual states could build their own anti-discrimination statutes ensuring full protection from any form racial injustice at home state level . The importance placed upon this law cannot be overstated as it has become known as one Of the most far reaching acts ever enacted by Congress.” With its passage , we have seen tremendous progress made towards achieving true equality for all citizens , regardless off their skin colour or cultural background . After more than fifty years since its enactment , we can truly say that The Civil Rights Acts changed America forever.