Backup of The Quest for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the United States
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Political Science
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Nov 24, 2024
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The Quest for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for African Americans
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The Quest for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the United States
Introduction
For a long time in American history, various groups have fought and advocated for full legal equality under the law across all demographics, but that has only sometimes been the case. This essay seeks to explain the journey of African Americans in their struggle for civil rights and civil liberties. Also, it will explore the historical and current circumstances of this struggle, the specific actions taken by African Americans and the government, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of these actions. Lastly, this analysis sheds light on African Americans' aspirations for equality.
African Americans' historical struggle for legal equality has been shaped by decades of institutional racism and discrimination. For a very long time, this demographic group has faced violence, segregation, and inequality from the time of slavery to the Jim Crow era (PURDUE GLOBAL, n.d.). The civil rights movement was established as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
African Americans, alongside other human rights activists and groups, led several civil rights movements using peaceful protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience to demand change. Legendary people like Martin Luther King Jr. were vital in furthering the cause. Both the
Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were significant pieces of legislation that sought to eliminate racial discrimination in public settings and safeguarded African Americans' right to vote (PURDUE GLOBAL, n.d.). The judiciary also played an essential role in advancing African Americans' civil rights, particularly through judicial activism. For instance,
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Loving v. Virginia (1967) invalidated state laws forbidding interracial marriage. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) guaranteed the right to legal counsel.
Undoubtedly, Americans and the government have made great progress toward legal equality. While legislation established legal protections against discrimination, the civil rights movement successfully desegregated organizations, public areas, and educational institutions. These initiatives helped boost the representation and participation of African Americans in politics. However, African Americans still face challenges to civil rights and liberties (Zick, 2020). This demographic group continues to be disproportionately impacted by systemic racism and socioeconomic inequality. Racial profiling and police violence are still major problems. The effectiveness of government initiatives is also a contentious issue because some contend that additional legislation and policy adjustments are required to address systematic inequities.
The fight for African Americans' legal equality is a continuous struggle that will continue in the future. It might entail dealing with issues like economic inequality, educational inequities, and criminal justice reform (Zick, 2020). Voting rights and political engagement are still very important for promoting change. The judiciary will continue to play a crucial role in determining the future of African Americans' civil rights and civil liberties through a balance of judicial activity and moderation.
Conclusion
African Americans' continuous struggle for equality under the law is a testament to resilience and determination. The significance of voting rights and political participation cannot be overstated, as they remain critical avenues for advocating change. Significant progress has been made through historical struggles and collective actions, but challenges persist (PURDUE
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GLOBAL, n.d.). The future of African Americans in the pursuit of equality hinges on continued activism, policy changes, and a vigilant judiciary. As the nation evolves, so will the ongoing struggle for full legal equality, ensuring that the principles of civil rights and civil liberties apply to all Americans, regardless of their race or background.
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References
PURDUE GLOBAL. (n.d.). The Supreme Court: Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint as Related to Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
Zick, T. (2020). Framing the Second Amendment: gun rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. Iowa L. Rev., 106, 229.