The historical narrative of the struggle for equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of their race or ethnicity, within the United States. It encompasses various movements and initiatives aimed at eliminating racial discrimination and promoting equality.
Related terms
Jim Crow laws: Racial segregation laws enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced discrimination against Black Americans in public facilities, education, housing, and voting.
Brown v. Board of Education: Landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that declared racially segregated public schools unconstitutional, challenging the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: Comprehensive legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in employment practices and public accommodations while guaranteeing voting rights protection for African Americans.