Understanding the important laws from the Civil Rights Movement helps us learn more about American democracy. These laws were key in the fight for racial equality and showed how democracy works in the United States.

Important Laws

1. Civil Rights Act of 1964:

   • This law stopped discrimination based on race, skin color, religion, gender, or where someone is from.
   • It created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to make sure the law was followed.
   • The act ended segregation in schools, jobs, and public spaces, helping millions of Americans.
   • By 1965, the joblessness for African Americans fell from about 10.5% to 9.9%, showing that they had better chances to find work.

2. Voting Rights Act of 1965:

   • This law aimed to remove obstacles that kept African Americans from voting, especially in southern states.
   • It allowed the federal government to oversee and enforce voter registration where unfair practices existed.
   • The law helped many more African Americans register to vote. For example, in Mississippi, registered Black voters jumped from about 6.7% in 1964 to around 59.6% in 1966.
   • Thanks to this act, the number of Black elected officials in the South grew from 72 to 1,462 by 1970.

Effects on American Democracy

• Greater Participation: The Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act gave more power to communities that were often ignored. This led to more people being involved in voting, which helped make democracy more representative and fair.

• Legal Foundations: These laws set important legal examples for future civil rights progress and laws. They paved the way for future laws that tackle discrimination based on gender, disability, and age. They show how laws can help promote equality.

• Public Awareness and Action: The Civil Rights Movement raised public awareness and changed how people thought about social justice. Polls in the mid-1960s by the Gallup Organization showed that many Americans supported civil rights laws, with over 70% backing the Civil Rights Act by the time it was passed.

Conclusion

Learning about the important laws of the Civil Rights Movement helps us understand how laws can empower people in a democracy. They reflect the ongoing fight for equal rights and remind us that democracy is not just a bunch of rules; it’s something that needs constant attention and active involvement from everyone. By looking at these laws, we see both the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done for true equality.