Civil Rights Act Essay

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Civil Rights Act The Civil Rights Act was enacted on July 2, 1964. This act banned major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It ended unequal application of voter registration necessities and racial segregation in schools, at workplaces and by facilities that served the general public. John F. Kennedy (the current president at the time) was the one who offered the bill to the legislation in his Civil Rights Speech on June 11, 1963. He presented this law "giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and similar establishments", also "greater protection for the right to vote". On the same day as his speech John F. Kennedy met with Republican leaders to discuss the bill. Two days later, on June 13, 1963, Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen and Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield agreed to the bill and supported it not including the equal access to public places (hotels, restaurants, theaters, etc.). This led to Republic Congressmen coming up with a compromise bill to be taken under consideration. Six days later, on June 19, 1963, John F. Kennedy sent his bill to Congress as it was initially written saying that legislative action was vital. The Civil Rights Movement affected America in many ways. It led to two major laws being passed by Congress. These laws assured constitutional rights for African Americans and other subgroups. Even though these rights were passed in the United States directly after the Civil War, they had never been fully enforced. John F. Kennedy faced many personal and political conflicts over the passing of this law. Even though, Kennedy understood that African-Am... ... middle of paper ... ... based on "race, color, religion, sex or national origin" in employment practices and public places. The bill authorized the Attorney General to file lawsuits to enforce the new law. The law also invalidated state and local laws that required such discrimination. Many people didn’t want the Civil Rights Act to become official, but in the end there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. “We are all equal in the fact that we are all different. We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same. We are united by the reality that all colors and all cultures are distinct and individual.” That is an amazing quote by C. JoyBell C., which I believe summarizes the main focus of the Civil Rights Act conflicts. Many people just take one look at the skin and think they know exactly what’s underneath. When in reality that doesn’t define a person at all, actions do.

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