Table of Contents
Civil rights and legal protections form the foundation of a fair and just society, ensuring that every individual has equal opportunities and treatment regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. These fundamental rights protect people from discrimination and provide mechanisms to seek justice when those rights are violated. Understanding civil rights and the legal frameworks that support them empowers individuals to recognize when their protections are being infringed upon and how to advocate effectively for themselves and their communities.
What Are Civil Rights?
Civil rights are the fundamental rights that protect individuals from discrimination and unfair treatment based on specific characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and other protected categories. These rights are guaranteed by laws, constitutions, and international agreements designed to promote equality and ensure that all people have access to the same opportunities and protections under the law.
At their core, civil rights represent the principle that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or where they come from. They encompass a wide range of protections that touch nearly every aspect of daily life, from where people can work and live to how they access education, healthcare, and public services.
Civil rights differ from civil liberties, though the terms are often used interchangeably. While civil liberties refer to basic freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution—such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly—civil rights specifically address equal treatment and protection from discrimination. Both concepts work together to create a framework of individual rights and freedoms that define democratic societies.
The Historical Context of Civil Rights
The concept of civil rights has evolved significantly throughout history. In the United States, the journey toward comprehensive civil rights protections has been long and often difficult. The nation’s founding documents initially excluded many groups from full participation in society, with the Constitution protecting slavery and most states limiting voting rights to white men.
The Civil War and Reconstruction era brought significant changes, including the abolition of slavery and the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. These amendments abolished slavery, guaranteed equal protection under the law, and protected voting rights regardless of race. However, these constitutional protections were often undermined by discriminatory state and local laws, particularly in the South, where Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation for nearly a century.
The modern civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought renewed attention to the need for stronger legal protections against discrimination. Through protests, legal challenges, and sustained advocacy, civil rights leaders and activists pushed for comprehensive federal legislation that would make discrimination illegal and provide meaningful enforcement mechanisms.
Major Civil Rights Legislation
Several landmark laws form the backbone of civil rights protections in the United States. Understanding these key pieces of legislation helps clarify the scope and nature of legal protections available to individuals facing discrimination.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination. The act is considered one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history.
This act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. It was the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is divided into eleven titles, each addressing different aspects of discrimination and civil rights protection. These titles work together to create a comprehensive framework for combating discrimination across multiple sectors of American life.
Title I: Voting Rights
Title I addresses the discriminatory disqualification of eligible voters based on race. More specifically, Title I amended voting provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to bar generally the use of different standards for qualifying voters, certain uses of literacy or “interpretation” tests for voter registration purposes, and the disqualification of voting applicants based on immaterial errors in a registration or other voting document.
Title II: Public Accommodations
Section 201 of Title II addresses segregation and discrimination against patrons based on race, color, religion, or national origin, in their access and service at four categories of business establishments. The act outlawed segregation in businesses such as theaters, restaurants, and hotels. It banned discriminatory practices in employment and ended segregation in public places such as swimming pools, libraries, and public schools.
Title VI: Federally Funded Programs
Title VI was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. This provision ensures that taxpayer dollars do not support discriminatory practices and gives the federal government leverage to enforce civil rights standards across a wide range of programs and institutions.
Title VII: Employment Discrimination
Title VII is perhaps the most widely known and frequently invoked section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This title applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments, as well as employment agencies and labor unions.
Title VII established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate complaints of discrimination and enforce the law’s provisions. The EEOC plays a crucial role in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that employers comply with anti-discrimination requirements.
The Fair Housing Act
Passed in 1968 as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. This law addresses one of the most fundamental aspects of daily life—where people can live—and works to combat residential segregation and housing discrimination.
The Fair Housing Act covers most housing types, including apartments, houses, and condominiums. It prohibits discriminatory practices such as refusing to rent or sell to someone based on protected characteristics, setting different terms or conditions for housing, advertising that indicates a preference for certain groups, and denying that housing is available when it actually is.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Enacted in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act represents a major expansion of civil rights protections to people with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.
The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. It also mandates that public spaces be accessible to people with disabilities, leading to widespread changes in building design, transportation systems, and communication methods.
The law defines disability broadly to include physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. This comprehensive approach ensures that people with a wide range of disabilities receive protection from discrimination.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. This landmark legislation addressed the systematic disenfranchisement of African American voters, particularly in Southern states, through discriminatory practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and other barriers to voter registration and participation.
The Act included special provisions that required certain jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing their voting laws or procedures. While some of these provisions have been modified or struck down by subsequent court decisions, the Voting Rights Act remains a critical tool for protecting the fundamental right to vote.
Categories of Civil Rights Protections
Civil rights protections extend across numerous areas of public and private life. Understanding the different categories of protection helps individuals recognize when their rights may be violated and what legal remedies might be available.
Protection Against Discrimination
The most fundamental civil rights protection is the prohibition against discrimination based on protected characteristics. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 and older), disability, and genetic information.
These protections apply in various contexts, including employment, housing, education, credit, and access to public accommodations. State and local laws may provide additional protections beyond those guaranteed by federal law, covering additional characteristics or applying to smaller employers and businesses.
Voting Rights
The right to vote is fundamental to democratic participation and self-governance. Civil rights laws protect this right by prohibiting discrimination in voter registration, voting procedures, and election administration. These protections ensure that all eligible citizens can participate in the electoral process without facing barriers or intimidation based on their race, color, or membership in a language minority group.
Voting rights protections also address issues such as voter ID requirements, polling place accessibility, language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency, and the drawing of electoral district boundaries. These safeguards work to ensure that the voting process is fair, accessible, and free from discrimination.
Equal Access to Education
Civil rights laws guarantee equal access to educational opportunities at all levels, from elementary school through higher education. These protections prohibit discrimination in admissions, financial aid, academic programs, and student services based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disability.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 specifically prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. This law has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for women and girls in education, particularly in athletics, and also protects students from sexual harassment and assault.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible. This law requires schools to develop individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities and provide necessary accommodations and services.
Employment Rights
Employment discrimination protections ensure that workers have equal opportunities in hiring, promotion, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment. These protections cover job advertisements, application processes, interviews, hiring decisions, training opportunities, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and termination.
Employers are prohibited from making employment decisions based on protected characteristics and must provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices and disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Workers are also protected from retaliation for opposing discriminatory practices or participating in discrimination investigations or proceedings.
Housing Rights
Fair housing laws protect individuals from discrimination in all aspects of housing, including renting, buying, obtaining financing, and seeking housing assistance. These protections apply to landlords, property managers, real estate agents, lenders, homeowners’ associations, and other entities involved in housing transactions.
Housing discrimination can take many forms, from outright refusal to rent or sell to more subtle practices such as steering prospective buyers or renters to certain neighborhoods based on their race or national origin, or imposing different terms or conditions on housing transactions for different groups.
Access to Public Accommodations
Civil rights laws guarantee equal access to public accommodations, which include businesses and facilities that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, retail stores, banks, healthcare facilities, and recreational facilities. These establishments cannot refuse service, provide inferior service, or impose different terms or conditions based on protected characteristics.
The ADA’s public accommodations provisions require that businesses remove architectural barriers where readily achievable and ensure that their policies, practices, and procedures do not discriminate against people with disabilities. This includes providing auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with people who have hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.
Enforcement Mechanisms and Legal Remedies
Civil rights laws are only as effective as their enforcement mechanisms. Understanding how these laws are enforced and what remedies are available helps individuals protect their rights and seek justice when discrimination occurs.
Federal Enforcement Agencies
The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all persons in the United States, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division investigates complaints, files lawsuits, and works to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws across numerous areas.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. The EEOC investigates charges of discrimination, attempts to resolve disputes through mediation and conciliation, and files lawsuits when necessary to protect workers’ rights.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act and investigates complaints of housing discrimination. HUD can initiate investigations, attempt to resolve complaints through conciliation, and refer cases to the Department of Justice for litigation.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces civil rights laws in education, including Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. OCR investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, and provides technical assistance to educational institutions.
Filing a Civil Rights Complaint
Individuals who believe their civil rights have been violated can file complaints with the appropriate federal agency. The process typically involves submitting a written complaint that describes the discriminatory conduct, identifies the parties involved, and explains how the complainant was harmed.
Most civil rights complaints must be filed within specific time limits, which vary depending on the type of discrimination and the applicable law. For example, employment discrimination charges generally must be filed with the EEOC within 180 days of the discriminatory act, though this deadline extends to 300 days in states with their own anti-discrimination agencies.
After receiving a complaint, the agency will typically investigate the allegations, which may include interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, and visiting relevant locations. If the agency finds reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred, it will attempt to resolve the matter through voluntary compliance, conciliation, or mediation.
Private Right of Action
Many civil rights laws allow individuals to file lawsuits in federal court to enforce their rights, either instead of or in addition to filing administrative complaints. This private right of action empowers individuals to seek remedies directly through the courts when they experience discrimination.
In employment discrimination cases, individuals typically must file a charge with the EEOC before filing a lawsuit. After the EEOC completes its investigation or a certain period has elapsed, the agency will issue a “right to sue” letter that allows the individual to proceed with a lawsuit in federal court.
Civil rights lawsuits can seek various remedies, including compensatory damages for economic losses and emotional distress, punitive damages to punish particularly egregious conduct, injunctive relief to stop ongoing discrimination, and attorney’s fees and costs. The specific remedies available depend on the applicable law and the nature of the violation.
Class Actions and Pattern-or-Practice Cases
When discrimination affects multiple people, class action lawsuits allow groups of individuals to join together to seek relief. Class actions can be particularly effective in addressing systemic discrimination that affects large numbers of people in similar ways.
The Department of Justice can also bring “pattern or practice” cases when it identifies evidence of widespread or systemic discrimination by an employer, housing provider, or other entity. These cases seek to address discriminatory policies and practices that affect entire groups of people, rather than isolated incidents involving individual victims.
Contemporary Civil Rights Challenges
While significant progress has been made in advancing civil rights and legal protections, numerous challenges remain. Understanding these contemporary issues helps contextualize ongoing debates about civil rights and the need for continued vigilance in protecting these fundamental freedoms.
Voting Rights and Electoral Access
Voting rights remain a contentious area of civil rights law and policy. Recent years have seen ongoing debates about voter ID requirements, early voting periods, mail-in voting, voter registration procedures, and the restoration of voting rights for people with criminal convictions.
Advocates argue that some voting restrictions disproportionately affect minority communities, elderly voters, students, and people with disabilities, effectively creating barriers to electoral participation. Others contend that certain measures are necessary to ensure election security and prevent fraud. These debates continue to shape voting rights litigation and legislation at both the federal and state levels.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ individuals have expanded significantly in recent years, though gaps and challenges remain. The Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County clarified that Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, providing important employment protections for LGBTQ+ workers.
However, debates continue about the scope of civil rights protections in other areas, including public accommodations, healthcare, education, and religious exemptions. These issues remain at the forefront of civil rights advocacy and litigation.
Disability Rights and Accessibility
Despite the ADA’s comprehensive protections, people with disabilities continue to face barriers to full participation in society. Issues such as website accessibility, accessible transportation, employment discrimination, and access to healthcare services remain ongoing challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the vulnerabilities of people with disabilities and the potential for technology to increase accessibility. Remote work, telehealth, and online education demonstrated that many accommodations previously considered burdensome or impractical could be implemented effectively when necessary.
Criminal Justice and Policing
The intersection of civil rights and criminal justice has received increased attention in recent years, particularly regarding racial disparities in policing, prosecution, and incarceration. Concerns about excessive use of force, racial profiling, and unequal treatment in the criminal justice system have sparked calls for reform and greater accountability.
Civil rights laws provide some protections in this area, including prohibitions on discriminatory policing practices and the ability to seek remedies for constitutional violations. However, qualified immunity and other legal doctrines can make it difficult to hold law enforcement officers accountable for civil rights violations, leading to ongoing debates about how to balance public safety with civil rights protections.
Immigration and National Origin Discrimination
Immigration status and national origin discrimination present complex civil rights challenges. While civil rights laws protect individuals from discrimination based on national origin, immigration enforcement activities can sometimes result in profiling or discriminatory treatment of people perceived to be foreign-born.
Balancing immigration enforcement with civil rights protections requires careful attention to ensure that enforcement activities do not violate individuals’ constitutional rights or result in discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.
State and Local Civil Rights Protections
While federal civil rights laws provide a baseline of protection, many states and localities have enacted their own civil rights laws that provide additional protections or cover areas not addressed by federal law.
Expanded Protected Classes
State and local laws often protect additional characteristics beyond those covered by federal law. For example, many states prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or political affiliation. Some jurisdictions also protect against discrimination based on source of income, which can help prevent housing discrimination against people who use housing vouchers.
Broader Coverage
State laws may apply to smaller employers or businesses than federal laws. For instance, while Title VII applies only to employers with 15 or more employees, some state laws cover employers with as few as one employee. This broader coverage ensures that more workers have protection from discrimination.
Enhanced Remedies
Some state civil rights laws provide remedies that are not available under federal law, such as unlimited compensatory or punitive damages, or different statutes of limitations that give complainants more time to file claims. These enhanced remedies can provide stronger incentives for compliance and greater compensation for victims of discrimination.
International Human Rights Framework
Civil rights protections in the United States exist within a broader international human rights framework. International treaties and declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, articulate fundamental rights and freedoms that all people should enjoy.
While international human rights law does not directly create enforceable rights in U.S. courts, it influences the development of civil rights norms and provides a framework for evaluating domestic civil rights protections. International human rights standards can also inform advocacy efforts and provide benchmarks for assessing progress in protecting civil rights.
Practical Steps for Protecting Your Civil Rights
Understanding civil rights and legal protections is important, but knowing how to exercise and protect those rights is equally crucial. Here are practical steps individuals can take to safeguard their civil rights and respond to potential violations.
Know Your Rights
The first step in protecting your civil rights is understanding what rights you have. Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local civil rights laws that apply to your situation. Many government agencies and civil rights organizations provide educational resources, fact sheets, and guides that explain civil rights protections in accessible language.
Understanding your rights helps you recognize when discrimination occurs and empowers you to take appropriate action. It also helps you make informed decisions about employment, housing, education, and other important aspects of life.
Document Everything
If you believe you have experienced discrimination, document the incident as thoroughly as possible. Write down what happened, including dates, times, locations, and the names of people involved or who witnessed the incident. Save any relevant documents, emails, text messages, or other evidence that supports your account.
Detailed documentation is crucial for filing complaints or lawsuits. It helps investigators and attorneys understand what occurred and provides evidence to support your claims. The more detailed and contemporaneous your documentation, the stronger your case is likely to be.
Report Discrimination Promptly
Most civil rights laws have strict deadlines for filing complaints or lawsuits. If you experience discrimination, report it promptly to the appropriate agency or authority. Don’t wait until the deadline is approaching, as gathering evidence and preparing a complaint takes time.
Many employers, schools, and other institutions have internal complaint procedures for addressing discrimination. While you may choose to use these internal processes, be aware that doing so does not extend the deadlines for filing complaints with government agencies or courts.
Seek Legal Advice
Civil rights law can be complex, and the best course of action depends on the specific circumstances of your situation. Consider consulting with an attorney who specializes in civil rights law to understand your options and develop a strategy for protecting your rights.
Many civil rights organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to people who have experienced discrimination. Legal aid organizations, law school clinics, and pro bono programs may also be able to help. Some civil rights laws allow prevailing plaintiffs to recover attorney’s fees, which can make it easier to find legal representation.
Connect with Advocacy Organizations
Numerous organizations work to protect and advance civil rights. These groups can provide information, support, and resources to individuals facing discrimination. They may also be able to connect you with legal assistance, help you navigate the complaint process, or advocate on your behalf.
Civil rights organizations also work on systemic issues through litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. Supporting these organizations helps advance civil rights protections for everyone.
The Role of Allies and Advocates
Protecting civil rights is not just the responsibility of those who experience discrimination. Allies and advocates play a crucial role in creating a more just and equitable society by supporting civil rights protections and speaking out against discrimination.
Recognizing and Challenging Discrimination
Allies can help protect civil rights by recognizing discrimination when it occurs and taking action to challenge it. This might involve speaking up when you witness discriminatory behavior, reporting violations to appropriate authorities, or supporting colleagues, friends, or community members who experience discrimination.
Challenging discrimination requires courage and a willingness to have difficult conversations. However, these interventions can make a significant difference in creating environments where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Supporting Inclusive Policies and Practices
Advocates can work within their organizations and communities to promote policies and practices that advance civil rights and prevent discrimination. This might include supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives, advocating for accessible facilities and services, or working to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices.
Creating inclusive environments requires ongoing effort and attention. It involves not just avoiding discrimination but actively working to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities and access to resources.
Educating Others
Education is a powerful tool for advancing civil rights. Allies can help by educating themselves and others about civil rights issues, the history of discrimination and civil rights movements, and the ongoing challenges facing marginalized communities.
This education should be ongoing and should include listening to and learning from people with lived experiences of discrimination. It should also involve examining one’s own biases and privileges and working to address them.
Resources for Learning More
Numerous resources are available for individuals who want to learn more about civil rights and legal protections. Government agencies, civil rights organizations, and educational institutions provide valuable information and support.
Government Resources
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides extensive information about federal civil rights laws and how to file complaints. Their website includes fact sheets, guidance documents, and information about ongoing enforcement activities. Visit their resources at https://www.justice.gov/crt.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers information about employment discrimination laws, the complaint process, and workers’ rights. Their website includes educational materials for both employees and employers.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency that studies and reports on civil rights issues. Their reports and publications provide valuable insights into civil rights challenges and policy recommendations.
Civil Rights Organizations
Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Lambda Legal, and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund work to protect and advance civil rights through litigation, advocacy, and education.
These organizations often provide resources for individuals facing discrimination, including know-your-rights guides, legal assistance, and support services. They also work on systemic issues through impact litigation and policy advocacy.
Educational Resources
Many universities and research institutions study civil rights issues and provide educational resources to the public. The Library of Congress, National Archives, and various museums and historical sites offer materials about the history of civil rights movements and the development of civil rights law.
Online courses, webinars, and educational programs provide opportunities to learn more about civil rights issues and how to be an effective advocate. These resources can help individuals deepen their understanding and develop skills for protecting and advancing civil rights.
The Future of Civil Rights
Civil rights protections continue to evolve in response to changing social conditions, new forms of discrimination, and emerging technologies. Understanding current trends and challenges helps prepare for future civil rights issues and opportunities.
Technology and Civil Rights
Technology presents both opportunities and challenges for civil rights. On one hand, technology can increase accessibility, facilitate communication, and provide new tools for advocacy and organizing. On the other hand, algorithmic bias, surveillance technologies, and digital discrimination raise new civil rights concerns.
Issues such as facial recognition technology, artificial intelligence in hiring and lending decisions, and online harassment require new approaches to civil rights protection. Ensuring that technological advances benefit everyone and do not perpetuate or exacerbate existing inequalities is an important challenge for civil rights advocates.
Intersectionality and Civil Rights
Recognition of intersectionality—the idea that people have multiple, overlapping identities that can compound experiences of discrimination—is increasingly important in civil rights advocacy and enforcement. Understanding how race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other characteristics interact helps develop more effective strategies for combating discrimination.
Civil rights law and policy are evolving to better address intersectional discrimination and recognize that people’s experiences cannot be reduced to single categories. This more nuanced understanding can lead to more comprehensive and effective civil rights protections.
Global Perspectives
Civil rights challenges are not unique to the United States. Around the world, people face discrimination and fight for equal rights and protections. Learning from international experiences and collaborating across borders can strengthen civil rights movements and lead to better protections for everyone.
International human rights frameworks provide common standards and goals that can guide domestic civil rights efforts. Engaging with global civil rights movements can provide new perspectives, strategies, and solidarity in the ongoing work of advancing human dignity and equality.
Conclusion
Civil rights and legal protections are essential foundations of a just and equitable society. They ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities and are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or identity. While significant progress has been made in establishing and enforcing civil rights protections, ongoing challenges require continued vigilance, advocacy, and commitment.
Understanding your civil rights, knowing how to protect them, and supporting others in exercising their rights are crucial responsibilities for everyone. Whether through filing complaints when discrimination occurs, advocating for stronger protections, educating others, or supporting civil rights organizations, each person can contribute to advancing civil rights and creating a more just society.
The history of civil rights demonstrates that progress is possible through sustained effort, courage, and solidarity. By learning from the past, addressing current challenges, and preparing for future issues, we can continue to strengthen civil rights protections and move closer to the goal of equal justice and opportunity for all.
For more information about civil rights and how to protect your rights, visit the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or contact civil rights organizations in your community. Remember that protecting civil rights is an ongoing process that requires the participation and commitment of everyone who believes in equality, justice, and human dignity.