The Civil Rights Movement has had a big impact on laws we see today. Here are some important areas where we can see these changes:
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Important Laws Passed:
- The movement led to important laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law made it illegal to treat people unfairly because of their race, color, religion, gender, or where they come from. This law helped build more protections against discrimination.
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 worked to remove obstacles that stopped African Americans from voting. Because of this, the number of Black people registered to vote grew from about 29% in 1965 to around 65% by 2012.
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Court Decisions:
- Supreme Court cases, like Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, ruled that separating students in schools by race was against the law. This decision helped lead to more rulings that fought against segregation and discrimination in other areas.
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has worked to make sure people are treated fairly at work. Because of their efforts, complaints about discrimination at work dropped from 29,000 in 1997 to around 72,000 in 2019. This shows that more people are aware of their rights and protections.
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Social and Economic Changes:
- The movement also encouraged changes like affirmative action policies that help give more chances to groups that have not been treated fairly in the past. The number of Black Americans with college degrees went up from 4% in 1960 to about 23% by 2020.
- Nowadays, there are many rules that support diversity and inclusion in workplaces, schools, and public services, affecting millions of people across America.
In summary, the Civil Rights Movement has left a strong mark on American laws and social policies. It set the stage for continued work towards fairness and justice for everyone, no matter their race, gender, or background.