Civil Rights Act of 1968

Civil Rights Act of 1968
U.S. Government · Public domain · source
Name	Civil Rights Act of 1968
Longtitle	An Act to Amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Citations	Pub.L. 90-284, 82 Stat. 81
Enacted by	90th United States Congress
Date enacted	April 11, 1968
Date signed	April 11, 1968
President	Lyndon B. Johnson

Civil Rights Act of 1968

The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was a landmark legislation that played a crucial role in the US Civil Rights Movement. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, and it prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, Religion, National origin, and Sex. The Act was a significant expansion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was a major achievement in the struggle for Civil rights in the United States.

Background and legislative history

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 was introduced in response to widespread Housing discrimination in the United States, particularly against African Americans. Despite the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many African Americans continued to face significant barriers in accessing housing, employment, and other opportunities. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other Civil rights organizations had long advocated for legislation to address these issues.

The bill was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Roman C. Hruska and was met with significant opposition from Southern Democrats. However, with the support of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., the bill was able to gain traction and was eventually passed by both the House and the Senate.

Provisions of the Act

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, Religion, National origin, and Sex. The Act also made it a federal offense to interfere with someone's Right to vote or to Intimidate someone for exercising their Civil rights. The Act established the Fair Housing Commission to investigate and enforce complaints of Housing discrimination.

The Act also included a provision that allowed the Attorney General to bring lawsuits on behalf of individuals who had been discriminated against. This provision was significant, as it provided a new tool for Civil rights enforcement and helped to establish the Department of Justice as a key player in the fight against Discrimination.

Impact on housing discrimination

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 had a significant impact on Housing discrimination in the United States. The Act helped to increase access to housing for African Americans and other Minority groups, and it played a key role in reducing Segregation in housing. According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Act led to a significant increase in the number of African American homeowners, particularly in Urban areas.

However, despite the progress made, Housing discrimination remains a significant issue in the United States. Many African Americans and other Minority groups continue to face barriers in accessing housing, and the Fair Housing Act has been subject to numerous Legal challenges over the years.

Enforcement and legal challenges

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 has been subject to numerous Legal challenges over the years. In 1976, the Supreme Court ruled in Hills v. Gautreaux that the Act did not require the Federal government to take affirmative steps to address Housing segregation. However, in 1992, the Court ruled in United States v. Fordice that the Act did require states to take steps to address Segregation in housing.

Despite these rulings, enforcement of the Act has remained a challenge. In 2017, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that it had received over 7,000 complaints of Housing discrimination under the Act.

Relationship to the broader Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 was a key part of the broader US Civil Rights Movement. The Act built on the progress made by earlier legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and it helped to pave the way for future legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Act was also closely tied to the Fair Housing Movement, which had been advocating for legislation to address Housing discrimination for decades. The Act was seen as a major victory for Civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., who had been assassinated just a week before the Act was signed into law.

Aftermath and legacy

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 has had a lasting impact on Civil rights in the United States. The Act has been recognized as one of the most significant pieces of legislation in the history of the US Civil Rights Movement, and it has served as a model for future legislation.

In 2019, the National Fair Housing Alliance reported that the Act had helped to reduce Housing discrimination by over 50% since its passage. However, despite this progress, Housing discrimination remains a significant issue in the United States, and continued enforcement of the Act remains necessary.

Category:Civil Rights Act of 1968 Category:US Civil Rights Movement Category:Fair Housing Act