Civil rights in the United States include noted legislation and organized efforts to abolish public and private acts of racial discrimination against Native Americans, African Americans, Asians, Latin Americans, women, the homeless, minority religions, and other groups. The history of the United States has been marked by a continuous struggle for civil rights. The institution of slavery, established during the colonial era, persisted until the American Civil War, when the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment abolished it. Despite this, African Americans continued to face systemic racism through de jure and de facto segregation, enforced by Jim Crow laws and societal practices. Early civil rights efforts, such as those by Frederick Douglass and the women's suffrage movement, laid the groundwork for future activism.
Following the abolition of slavery, the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of the civil rights movement, which sought to dismantle racial segregation and secure equal rights under the law for African Americans. Landmark events such as the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 and the subsequent civil rights protests, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Freedom Rides, were pivotal in challenging and overturning legalized racial discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were monumental, legally prohibiting racial discrimination and securing voting rights for African Americans.
The civil rights movement continued to evolve in the latter half of the 20th century, addressing issues beyond racial equality. The fight for gender equality, particularly the women's liberation movement, led to significant legal changes, such as Title IX, which prohibited sex-based discrimination in education. The LGBTQ+ rights movement gained momentum, culminating in the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015 and ongoing efforts to secure equal rights for transgender individuals. These movements have highlighted the interconnected nature of various forms of discrimination and the need for broader social justice reforms.
In the 21st century, the struggle for civil rights remains ongoing, with movements like Black Lives Matter bringing attention to police brutality and systemic racism. Issues such as residential segregation, voter suppression, and economic inequality continue to challenge the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and highlighting the need for comprehensive civil rights protections and reforms.