American civil rights

Definition

The term refers to the basic rights and freedoms that all individuals should have, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics. These rights include voting rights, equal access to education and employment opportunities, and protection against discrimination.

Related terms

Jim Crow laws: These were state and local laws enacted after the Civil War that enforced racial segregation and denied African Americans their civil rights.

Brown v. Board of Education: This landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional and played a crucial role in advancing civil rights for African Americans.

Voting Rights Act of 1965: This legislation aimed to overcome barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.