Federal legislation affecting blacks
Published: Sunday, April 5, 1998
Sidebar to Part 1
Here is a list of some of the significant federal legislation enacted by Congress starting with the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It shows that the fight for equality shifted from civil rights to economic rights.
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Created the Commission on Civil Rights and empowered it to investigate allegations of deprivation of a U.S. citizen's right to vote, and to appraise laws and policies of the federal government with respect to equal protection of the law.Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibited discrimination in the use of public accommodations whose operations involve interstate commerce, and provided enforcement remedies to ensure equal access to public facilities. Also prohibited racial discrimination in any program receiving federal aid, and prohibited discrimination in most areas of employment.Voting Rights Act of 1965
Struck down restrictions such as literacy and knowledge tests and poll tax payments which had been used to restrict black participation in voting, and provided for federal registrars to register voters should state registrars refuse to do so. It also provided that registered voters not be prohibited from voting.Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act)
Provided for open housing by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin.Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972
Provided the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with the authority to issue judicially enforceable cease and desist orders in cases involving discriminatory employment practices.Equal Opportunity Act of 1972 (Revision)
Expanded the coverage of the Act, which prohibits discriminatory employment practices, to include federal, state and local government employers. In addition, the act provided the Equal Opportunity Commission with the authority to file lawsuits.Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973
Provided federal funding to employ and train unskilled minority workers in various federally assisted programs.Public Works Employment Act of 1977
Provided that 10 percent of money spent as a result of federal grants be earmarked for and paid to minority business enterprises (set-asides).* Source: The Negro Almanac: A Reference Work on the African American
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