Glossary
#MeToo Movement
A social movement against sexual abuse and sexual harassment, where people publicize accusations of sex crimes committed by powerful and prominent men.
Example:
The #MeToo Movement brought widespread public attention to issues of sexual harassment and assault, leading to increased accountability and policy changes in workplaces.
Activism
The policy or practice of taking vigorous action to achieve political or social change. It involves direct action, advocacy, and public engagement.
Example:
Students engaging in a walkout to protest gun violence are demonstrating a form of activism aimed at influencing policy.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It prohibited segregation in public places and discrimination in employment.
Example:
Because of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, businesses can no longer refuse service to customers based on their race or ethnicity.
Civil rights
Legal rights that protect individuals from discrimination and ensure their equal treatment under the law, regardless of characteristics like race, gender, or religion.
Example:
The right to vote, regardless of one's race or gender, is a fundamental civil right protected by federal law.
Counter-protest
A protest organized in opposition to another protest or demonstration, often by groups with opposing viewpoints.
Example:
When a group marched for stricter gun control, a smaller counter-protest gathered nearby to advocate for Second Amendment rights.
Demonstration
A public gathering or display of group feelings or opinions, often involving a march or rally, to protest or support a cause.
Example:
Thousands gathered for a climate change demonstration outside the Capitol building, holding signs and chanting slogans.
Equal Pay Act of 1963
A United States labor law that aims to abolish wage disparity based on sex. It requires employers to pay men and women equally for equal work.
Example:
Despite the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the gender pay gap persists, leading to ongoing advocacy for stronger enforcement and related legislation.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It has not been ratified.
Example:
Advocates for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) argue that its ratification would provide a clear constitutional basis for gender equality, preventing rollbacks of women's rights.
Equal protection
A constitutional principle, primarily from the 14th Amendment, that requires states to treat all individuals equally under the law, preventing arbitrary discrimination.
Example:
The Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education affirmed the principle of equal protection by declaring state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009
A federal statute that states the 180-day statute of limitations for filing an equal-pay lawsuit resets with each new discriminatory paycheck.
Example:
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 made it easier for individuals to challenge long-standing pay discrimination by extending the time frame for filing claims.
March
An organized walk by a large group of people, typically to protest or advocate for a specific cause, often moving from one location to another.
Example:
The historic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
Police brutality
The use of excessive and unwarranted force by law enforcement officers against civilians. It often involves physical violence, but can also include psychological abuse.
Example:
The widespread protests following incidents of police brutality have brought increased scrutiny to law enforcement practices and accountability.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
A federal law that amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Example:
Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, an employer cannot fire or refuse to hire a woman simply because she is pregnant.
Rally
A mass meeting of people held to arouse enthusiasm for a cause or to protest against something. It often features speeches and performances.
Example:
Before the election, the candidate held a large rally in the town square, addressing supporters and outlining their platform.
Repression
The act by a government or authority of suppressing or controlling a group of people by force or intimidation, often in response to dissent or protest.
Example:
During the Civil Rights Movement, some state governments used police and legal tactics as a form of repression against peaceful protestors.
Social movements
Organized efforts by groups of people to promote or resist social, political, or economic change. They often arise when a group feels unheard or unfairly treated by the existing system.
Example:
The environmental movement is a social movement advocating for policies to combat climate change and protect natural resources.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
A specific section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Example:
An employer cannot refuse to hire a qualified applicant because of their gender, thanks to the protections afforded by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Federal legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It outlawed discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests and poll taxes.
Example:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 significantly increased African American voter registration and participation, especially in the South.