Civl+Rights+Act,+1964


 * Tara Blumstein**

Context For the Civil Rights Act Throughout the late 1960's and the early 1960's existed a time period known as the civil rights movement. Ever since the Emancipation Proclamation created by Abraham Lincoln came into play, there was discrimination against African Americans. Jim crow laws were literally established legislation solely meant to separate Caucasian people and colored people solely based on the color of there skin. A more serious issue was that although the 15th Amendment technically granted African Americans the right to vote, they could not do so without fear or harassment, especially in the south. There were many civil rights activist who emerged such as, Rosa Parks, a courageous African American women who refused to give up her seat on the public bus; even though the Jim Crow laws forbade it. In addiction there were two African American leaders who are responsible for boosting the moral and encouraging acts of civil disobedience, they are, Martin Luther kIng jr. and Malcolm x. With there encouragement African Americans staged sit-ins in restaurants, choosing to sit in the places that it was "illegal" to sit. Quite often they were not served, and sometimes they were violently expelled from the establishment, whether it be by the police, the owner, or other patrons; but they never ever resorted to violence. If someone attacked them, they did not fight back. The point is the public was getting the message that African American's were not going to just let the white supremacy simply just walk all over them without some sort of rebuild.

President John F Kennedy heard that message load and clear. It was the presidents mindset, that it was time to even the playing field. In his speech to congress in 1963, when he spoke in strong favor of the bill,he present statistics that stated: "The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day; one third as much chance of completing college; one third as much chance of becoming a professional man; twice as much chance of becoming unemployed; about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year; a life expectancy which is seven years shorter; and the prospects of earning only half as much." The logical appeal of his speech was enough for congress to seriously debate it. However during this process Kennedy was tragically assassinated, causing the presidency to change hands to Lyndon Baines Johnson. Although he had a poor civil rights record, he took up the cause.
 * Origin**


 * Controversy**

There most certainly was extraordinary controversy about passing the Civil Rights Act. Besides from the reactionary measures of racist southerners, there was also strong opposition in the senate but Richard B. Russell, who ironically was Johnson's long time friend. He had organized 18 democratic senators who aligned with his views as well. Russell declared that "We will resist to the bitter end any measure or any movement which would have a tendency to bring about social equality and intermingling and amalgamation of the races in our (Southern) states." However, on June 15th 1964, Russell told Mike Mansfield and Hubert Humphrey that he would "bring an end to this filibuster that was blocking the vote, and sure enough when it was voted on, it passed 73 to 27.


 * Significance**

The Civil Rights Act finally made it illegal to express racial discrimination in any public place, effectively ending the rein of the Jim Crow Laws. According to the act, equal employment opportunities were mandated, for every citizen, meaning women as well as African Americans. If an ongoing project that was receiving federal funding was discriminating against someone's color, there funds were immediately revoked, and the project would be ceased. The Act also addressed the attempt of denying African American's their right to vote in the south. If an individual was schooled till at least sixth grade, then legally that proved their literacy, extinguishing that argument from white supremacists. The attorney general was authorized to take legal action against anyone who attempted to resist this declaration. The civil rights act is responsible for finally making America's claim that "All men are created equal" an authentic one.


 * ...on a scale of 1-100**

If I were to rate this document on a scale of 1- 100, 1 being the most important, I would have to give it a 3. Certainly there would be an exception were a document may be more important then the Civil rights act which is why I didn't rank it at #1. Take for instance the Declaration of Independence; i wouldn't rank this above a document which established out country in the first place. However, it does deserve a score ranking it as highly important, because it finally ended the hypocrisy that was The United States. All men were finally equal and the government was interested in protecting the rights of all citizens no matter there race or gender. Morality wise, this document was one of the best pieces of legislation ever passed.


 * The Cilvil Rights Act vs. The Virginia Plan**

The Virginia plan was introduced on May 29, 1787. If implemented it would establish a national government consisting of three branches and a system of checks and balances. It would ensure that the citizens have accurate representation in government as well. The Civil Rights act and the Virginia plan both have to deal with protecting the liberties of citizens of the U.S. However the Virginia plan treated slaves as second rate citizens and they were not really in any interest of anyone at that point to protect, while the Civil Rights act was targeted to do just that. In my opinion the Civil Rights Act is more important because it restored liberties to peoples that should have never had them taken away in the first place.