Glossary
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
A landmark Supreme Court case that declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional. It overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by *Plessy v. Ferguson*.
Example:
The decision in Brown v. Board of Education was a crucial legal victory that provided a foundation for the broader Civil Rights Movement to challenge segregation.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
A comprehensive federal law that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It prohibited discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and federally funded programs.
Example:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal for a restaurant to refuse service to a customer based on their race.
Civil Rights Movement
A pivotal social movement in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States that sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. It employed nonviolent resistance and legal challenges.
Example:
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech, was a defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement.
Co-optation (Government Response)
A government's response where it adopts the language, symbols, or some minor goals of a social movement without fully implementing its core demands. This can dilute the movement's impact or absorb its leaders.
Example:
A political party might engage in co-optation by using environmentalist slogans in their campaign, even if their actual policy proposals offer minimal ecological protection.
Disability Rights Movement
A social movement advocating for equal opportunities, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities. It seeks to eliminate discrimination and promote independent living.
Example:
The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a landmark achievement for the Disability Rights Movement, mandating accessibility in public spaces.
Environmental Movement
A broad social and political movement dedicated to protecting the natural environment and promoting sustainable practices. It addresses issues like pollution, conservation, and climate change.
Example:
Earth Day celebrations are a direct outgrowth of the Environmental Movement, raising public awareness about ecological issues.
Environmental Protection
Policies and actions aimed at preserving natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity, often driven by environmental social movements. This includes addressing pollution and climate change.
Example:
The creation of national parks and regulations on industrial emissions are examples of government actions taken for environmental protection.
Equal Protection Clause
A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that states no state shall 'deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.' It is a cornerstone of civil rights law.
Example:
The Supreme Court often uses the Equal Protection Clause to strike down laws that create classifications or distinctions that unfairly discriminate against certain groups of people.
Equal Rights
The principle that all individuals should be treated the same under the law, regardless of characteristics like race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. It is a common goal of many social movements.
Example:
Advocates for equal rights often push for legislation that ensures fair housing and employment opportunities for all citizens.
LGBTQ+ Rights Movement
An ongoing social movement advocating for equal rights, protections, and acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. It addresses issues like marriage equality and non-discrimination.
Example:
The Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, was a significant victory for the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.
Labor Movement
A social and economic movement that advocates for the rights and interests of workers, often through the formation of labor unions. Its goals include fair wages, safe conditions, and collective bargaining.
Example:
The establishment of the eight-hour workday and child labor laws were major achievements of the Labor Movement in the United States.
Political Representation
The process by which the interests and views of citizens are conveyed and advocated for within the government. Social movements often seek to increase or improve this for marginalized groups.
Example:
The push for more women and minorities in Congress is an effort to achieve greater political representation reflective of the nation's diversity.
Reform (Government Response)
A government's response to a social movement that involves implementing changes to laws, policies, or institutions to address the movement's demands. It signifies an adaptation to public pressure.
Example:
Following widespread protests against police brutality, some cities initiated police reform efforts, including changes to training and accountability measures.
Social Movement
Collective actions by a group of people aimed at transforming social, political, economic, or cultural norms. They are organized efforts to bring about or resist change in society.
Example:
The #MeToo movement is a contemporary social movement advocating for awareness and action against sexual harassment and assault.
Suppression (Government Response)
A government's response to a social movement that involves using force, arrests, censorship, or other coercive tactics to quash or weaken the movement. It aims to maintain the status quo.
Example:
During the Cold War, the government engaged in suppression of suspected communist groups, leading to arrests and blacklisting.
Title IX
A federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. It ensures equal opportunities in areas like athletics, admissions, and financial aid.
Example:
Thanks to Title IX, female athletes now have significantly more opportunities to participate in college sports programs than they did before its enactment.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
A landmark federal law in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It outlawed discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests and provided federal oversight of elections.
Example:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 significantly increased African American voter registration and participation, especially in the Southern states.
Women's Suffrage Movement
A social and political movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that advocated for women's right to vote. It culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment.
Example:
Susan B. Anthony was a prominent leader in the Women's Suffrage Movement, tirelessly campaigning for women's enfranchisement.
Workers' Rights
A set of legal and human rights relating to labor relations, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize. These are often championed by labor movements.
Example:
The fight for a higher minimum wage is a modern example of advocating for workers' rights to ensure a living income.