16.2 Civil Rights and Social Justice Movements

Civil rights movements have shaped American society, fighting for equality and justice for marginalized groups. From the Civil Rights Act to recent protests, these efforts have led to legal and social changes, addressing discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, and disability.

Today, movements like Black Lives Matter and Me Too continue the fight for equality. They tackle systemic racism, sexual harassment, and other forms of discrimination. These movements use social media and intersectional approaches to push for policy changes and cultural shifts.

Equality Under the Law

Constitutional Protections and Legal Concepts

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• Equal Protection Clause guarantees equal treatment under the law for all persons within U.S. jurisdiction
• 14th Amendment prohibits states from denying equal protection to any person within their jurisdiction
• Strict scrutiny applies to laws that discriminate based on race, national origin, or alienage
• Intermediate scrutiny applies to laws that discriminate based on gender
• Rational basis review applies to most other forms of discrimination

Affirmative Action and Voting Rights

• Affirmative action policies aim to increase representation of underrepresented groups in education and employment
• Supreme Court cases (Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Grutter v. Bollinger) have shaped affirmative action policies in higher education
• Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in voting practices
• Shelby County v. Holder (2013) struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, leading to new state-level voting restrictions
• Voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and felony disenfranchisement continue to impact voting rights

Intersectionality and Contemporary Challenges

• Intersectionality recognizes how different forms of discrimination (race, gender, class) intersect and compound
• Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" in 1989 to describe overlapping systems of oppression
• Pay equity remains a challenge, with women earning approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men
• Wealth gap persists along racial lines, with median white household wealth significantly higher than Black and Hispanic households
• Housing discrimination continues despite Fair Housing Act, impacting access to education and economic opportunities

Social Justice Movements

Black Lives Matter and Racial Justice Initiatives

• Black Lives Matter movement emerged in 2013 in response to acquittal of George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin's death
• BLM focuses on combating systemic racism, police brutality, and racial inequality in criminal justice system
• Movement gained global prominence following the 2020 killing of George Floyd
• Demands include police reform, investment in Black communities, and addressing economic disparities
• Critical Race Theory examines how race and racism intersect with various social institutions

Me Too Movement and Gender-Based Activism

• Me Too movement, founded by Tarana Burke in 2006, gained widespread attention in 2017
• Focuses on raising awareness about sexual harassment and assault, particularly in workplace settings
• Resulted in high-profile cases in entertainment industry, politics, and corporate world
• Led to changes in workplace policies, increased reporting of sexual misconduct, and cultural shifts in discussing gender-based violence
• Time's Up organization formed to address systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace

Intersectional Approaches to Social Justice

• Modern social justice movements increasingly adopt intersectional approaches
• Recognition of how different forms of oppression (racism, sexism, classism) interact and reinforce each other
• Environmental justice movement addresses disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities
• Immigrant rights movement focuses on issues of citizenship, deportation, and access to social services
• Disability justice movement emphasizes intersectionality of disability with other marginalized identities

Civil Rights

LGBTQ+ Rights and Legal Advancements

• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
• Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) extended workplace discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ individuals
• Ongoing debates over transgender rights, including access to healthcare and participation in sports
• Efforts to ban conversion therapy for minors in various states
• Continued push for comprehensive non-discrimination protections at federal level (Equality Act)

Gender Equality and Women's Rights

• Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding
• Violence Against Women Act provides funding for investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women
• Ongoing efforts to ratify Equal Rights Amendment to explicitly guarantee equal rights regardless of sex
• Continued advocacy for reproductive rights, including access to contraception and abortion services
• Push for paid family leave policies and affordable childcare to address gender disparities in workforce

Disability Rights and Accessibility

• Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, public accommodations, and telecommunications
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures free appropriate public education for students with disabilities
• Ongoing efforts to improve accessibility in physical spaces, digital platforms, and workplace accommodations
• Push for increased representation of individuals with disabilities in media and politics
• Advocacy for community-based living options and deinstitutionalization for individuals with disabilities