Happy 51st Birthday to the 1964 Civil Rights Act

by Robert Wilkinson

It might not seem like a big deal now, but the 1964 Civil Rights Act really was a point in history where the present split from the past creating a new future, and not just in the US.

We all owe Lyndon Johnson a debt of gratitude for honoring John Kennedy's promise that all should have civil rights of a basic nature. Thanks to Wikipedia we find that in 1963 JFK asked Congress for legislation "giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public—hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and similar establishments," as well as "greater protection for the right to vote."

The legislation passed in 1964 outlawed major forms of discrimination against blacks and women, including racial segregation. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public.

The House of Representatives strengthened the act, adding provisions to ban racial discrimination in employment, providing greater protection to black voters, eliminating segregation in all publicly owned facilities (not just schools), and strengthening the anti-segregation clauses regarding public facilities such as lunch counters. It also included the ability of the Feds to bust those who broke this law, and so it actually had some teeth.

Then it hit the Senate, where the Dixiecrats filibustered it to where it had to be watered down. This was back when a Senator actually had to take the floor and stand for as long as they wished to filibuster. It's different today, when all they have to do is say they intend to, and everyone caves. Visitors from other countries take note, since this is what is jamming our government's gears at present and makes the US look like it cannot govern itself.

Anyway, Hubert Humphrey actually got 67 votes needed to cut off the Dixiecrats' filibustering, remarkable because "Never in history had the Senate been able to muster enough votes to cut off a filibuster on a civil rights bill. And only once in the 37 years since 1927 had it agreed to cloture for any measure."(Wikipedia).

This legislation kicked open the doors for women's rights, opened equal access to voter registration to all, prohibited discrimination based in "race, color, religion, sex, or national origin," desegregated public facilities, ended denial of access to public facilities by minorities, and encouraged further desegregation of public schools. You can see how this set the patterns that have evolved into our current social norms (despite some retrograde racists and authoritarians wishing we could put this particular djinn back in the bottle!)

So let's give a big send up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Without that, women and racial minorities would have few rights in the US. And of course, this set the standard for the rights claimed by many other nations' women and minorities in their struggle for equality these past 51 years.

© Copyright 2015 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Michelle Young]

What incredible timing, Robert! Thank you for this. A momentous piece of US history--and uncannily timed within the same week as the anniversary of the Magna Carta.

[Jo Garceau]

For those of us who spent years on the front lines, the difference in America after 1964 is stunning. Like changing a black and white photograph to color, like night to day. Unforgettable and very moving.

[Peggy]

Take down the damn flag. I just spent hours weeping over the Charleston murders. I very much remember the early 60s and the pain we all felt watching and learning .. because of the new technology, television news, of the brutality of southern racism. It was shockingly new for us to see. The 60s are here again. Another chance to heal. The voices of the families of the victims during this person's arraignment truly brought me to my knees. They forgave the murderer. Lesson for us all. Especially me. Thank you Robert.

[Robert]

Hi all - Yes, when I consider how much effort it took to get as far as we did then, and to see it eroded by a constant drumbeat of racist hatred and deliberate efforts to disenfranchise minorities, it makes me wonder. As the Fugs once sang "Was George Washington the lesser of two evils?"

The confederate battle flag that is permanently installed at the SC state capitol may be a constant thorn in the side of those who care, and as it was displayed on the assassin's car, represents the symbol of the anger and hatred that accompanied the horrible slaughter of people in a church. Yes Peggy, southern (and northern, and eastern, and western) racism is unfortunately alive and thriving due to the dumbing down of American youth. The comment streams in the articles about this are filled with racist hatred spewed by anonymous keyboard cowards. That's what's so sad. A lot of delusional people actually believe this attack was about "an attack on christians" and not another example of a psychopathic racist shooting and killing a bunch of black people.

The families cannot do anything but forgive. Thank heaven we have a criminal justice system that can do what it must to keep this guy off the streets for the rest of his miserable life. And prison will be a terrible place for this young psychopath to be, even if he probably will fall in with other white supremacists there. Life is short for many in our prison system. Just too many ways and places to get shanked.

[Peggy]

Well said. I am against the death penalty. And for forgiveness ... but there is more than one way to skin a cat. the lovers will love and the haters will hate but there's always that 20% undecided in the middle. And maybe this will help them swing to love.

[T]

If I'm not mistaken, this took place while the NN/SN were in Cancer/Capricorn, correct? The next time this transit will occur is in 2020. Do you foresee any discriminatory matters (concerning policing, etc) to be rectified in 2020?