Civil Rights Act Turns 50
Eisenhower noted that "much remains to be done" about equality in America in his 1957 state of the union address (pdf). And the split Congress (Republican Senate, Democratic House) stepped up to his challenge.
Most of us are probably more familiar with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was the 1964 law that addressed widespread discrimination in public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels and golf courses. It also protected voting rights and prohibited discriminatory hiring practices.
But the 1964 law would not have come about had the 1957 not laid the foundation.
A half-century later, race remains a divisive factor in America. Questions of judicial fairness are illustrated in by the cases of Genarlow Wilson in Georgia and the Jena Six (timeline) in Louisiana.
It's also ironic that yet another court has concluded that parts of the US Patriot Act are unconstitutional. In Portland, OR Wednesday, US District Judge Ann Aiken said the Act is unconstitutional because it "permits the executive branch of government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without satisfying the probable cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment."
Earlier this month, a New York Judge Victor Marrero ruled against FBI warrantless wiretapping. He characterized the secrecy provisions of the Patriot Act as "the legislative equivalent of breaking and entering, with an ominous free pass to the hijacking of constitutional values."
In 2057, I hope that no one winces when they read these words of Martin Luther King, Jr.:
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
And I also hope that America has moved past the civil rights abuses perpetrated on all citizens by Congress and the President in the state of fear following 9-11-2001.
Also, see: