Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Discrimination Part IIIDiscrimination Part III

May 16, 2007May 16, 2007

BellringerBellringer

Have you, or anyone you know, Have you, or anyone you know, been denied the freedom to vote been denied the freedom to vote in an election?in an election?

IntroductionIntroduction

Discrimination affects many Discrimination affects many aspects of the lives of people. aspects of the lives of people. Whether you are talking about Whether you are talking about race, sex, nationality or sexual race, sex, nationality or sexual orientation, there are many orientation, there are many different ways that people different ways that people discriminate against others. discriminate against others.

Discrimination in voting rightsDiscrimination in voting rights

The 15th Amendment to the The 15th Amendment to the Constitution provided the right to vote Constitution provided the right to vote to nonwhite, male citizens.to nonwhite, male citizens. It states that It states that “the right of citizens of the United States to “the right of citizens of the United States to vote (shall not be) denied or abridged by vote (shall not be) denied or abridged by any State on account of race, color, or any State on account of race, color, or pervious condition of servitude”. pervious condition of servitude”.

However, obstacles to full voting rights However, obstacles to full voting rights continue well into this century throughcontinue well into this century through poll taxes, literacy tests, and poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidationintimidation of African Americans who of African Americans who want to exercise their voting rights.want to exercise their voting rights.

Discrimination in voting rightsDiscrimination in voting rights

Women did not win the right to Women did not win the right to vote until 1920 with the passage of vote until 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendmentthe 19th Amendment

GerrymanderingGerrymandering: : The redrawing of The redrawing of a voting district to ensure that a a voting district to ensure that a particular group of people is particular group of people is included in the same district.included in the same district. Usually oddly shaped and sometimes Usually oddly shaped and sometimes called “majority-minority districts”.called “majority-minority districts”.

Discrimination based on National Origin Discrimination based on National Origin and Citizenship Statusand Citizenship Status

When we think about the civil rights When we think about the civil rights struggle, we mostly remember cases in struggle, we mostly remember cases in which African Americans brought lawsuits which African Americans brought lawsuits to end discriminatory practices. to end discriminatory practices.

During the 20th Century, the NAACP During the 20th Century, the NAACP developed careful strategies to bring developed careful strategies to bring important cases before the U.S. Supreme important cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Court.

Discrimination based on Discrimination based on National Origin and Citizenship National Origin and Citizenship StatusStatus Also during this time, groups representing Also during this time, groups representing

Latino and Asian plaintiffs brought cases to Latino and Asian plaintiffs brought cases to court as well.court as well.

Courts have not favored government Courts have not favored government laws and policies that discriminate laws and policies that discriminate based on national origin and citizenship based on national origin and citizenship status.status.

Discrimination Based on Discrimination Based on GenderGender

Women have struggled for equality for Women have struggled for equality for many years.many years.

The 19th Amendment in 1920 gave The 19th Amendment in 1920 gave women full voting rights.women full voting rights.

Women still suffer from being paid less Women still suffer from being paid less than men for doing the same job than men for doing the same job (glass (glass ceiling)ceiling)

Women also suffer from more cases of Women also suffer from more cases of sexual harassmentsexual harassment in the workplace in the workplace

Discrimination Based on Discrimination Based on AgeAge Age discrimination is against the law. You Age discrimination is against the law. You

cannot be fired from your job because your cannot be fired from your job because your boss wants to bring in someone younger.boss wants to bring in someone younger.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects workers aged 40 or older and forbids protects workers aged 40 or older and forbids hiring, firing, paying, promoting and other hiring, firing, paying, promoting and other aspects of employment. Applies to companies aspects of employment. Applies to companies of 20 or more.of 20 or more.

Age can be a factor in certain job Age can be a factor in certain job qualifications (working in a bar, military, qualifications (working in a bar, military, airlines, etc). airlines, etc).