A Brief History of The Civi Rights Act of 1964 & Title VI
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Title VI: Roots in Reconstruction
Following the Civil War, three Reconstruction era amendments to the U.S. Constitution were passed to abolish slavery and establish civil and legal rights for Black Americans.
In 1865 the 13th amendment ended slavery and involuntary servitude.
Three years later, in 1868, the 14th Amendment gave citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people, and guaranteed equal protection under the law.
In 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed prohibiting governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude. Title VI is made possible by these constitutional amendments.
The 14th Amendment became the basis for many landmark Supreme Court decisions over the years.
The 14th amendment was the basis for Brown v. Board of Education, which ended segregation in schools. Title VI is also central to Roe v. Wade, guaranteeing abortion rights. The fight for Title VI was a part of the early Civil Rights Movement.
Unfulfilled Promises
The rise of the Civil Rights Movement, The fight for the Civil Rights Act & SNCC. By the 1960s, the civil and legal rights promised during Reconstruction remained unfulfilled as structural racism continually violated the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. The Civil Rights movement, itself, is a direct result of Reconstruction-era Amendments not having been fulfilled. It is notable that this movement was powered by youth and youth activism.
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee or (SNCC) was founded in April 1960, by young people dedicated to nonviolent, direct action tactics. This became the blueprint for all social justice action movements in this country, including Women’s Equality, Pride, ACTUP!, Black Lives Matter and so on.
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was a prominent civil rights organization founded in 1957 in the South. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as its first president. The SCLC, committed to nonviolent civil disobedience, played a pivotal role in major civil rights events like the Birmingham Campaign, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Its efforts contributed significantly to changes in segregation laws and practices. After Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, the SCLC faced challenges but continued its advocacy.
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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909 to combat racial violence and discrimination in the U.S. Key founders included W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells. The organization played a crucial role in legal battles against segregation, most notably in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954. During the Civil Rights Movement, the NAACP advocated for legislation and supported protests against racial injustice. Post-1960s, it addressed housing, employment, and voting rights.
The Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement is present in all that we do at Save Your Six!
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were intended to uphold and protect the civil and legal rights guaranteed to Black Americans through the Reconstruction Amendments.The legacy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was created by Black people who sacrificed for all Americans. Over 40 Black and accomplice ally lives were given on the road to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We must uphold and protect Title VI for them, for us and for future generations.
Title VI prevents discrimination by programs and activities that receive federal funds. If a recipient of federal funds is found in violation of Title VI, that recipient may lose its federal funding. If your school or college knows that racial discrimination has occurred they must:
Act quickly act quickly to make sure the harassment doesn’t continue and they must fix any harmful environment.
To explore the inspiring civil rights pioneers featured, download our Brief History of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VI here.
Read on to learn more about your Title VI rights.
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What Is Title VI?
Students have the federally-protected right to an education free from discrimination and harassment. Schools, school districts, and state Departments of Education have the right to set their own local policies regarding bullying and discrimination, but compliance with Title VI is a legal obligation, and students and caregivers should expect compliance from their schools. Learn More
This obligation includes things like:
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Creating a school climate that is safe for all students
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Providing resources and information for students and parents who have diverse requirements
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Taking immediate steps to repair disturbances in a student’s education
A note on the Fifth Amendment and Free Speech:
It’s important to mention that the First Amendment has historically been used as an argument and excuse to avoid addressing racial harassment and discrimination in schools. “Political” statements on clothing and other personal items with racist connotations that students bring to school or post online can be used as a way to intimidate and harass BIPOC students who feel targeted because of the racist overtones of this symbolism and messaging. Parents and students who don't want to be told that they cannot bring this kind of clothing to school may try say this infringes on their student’s 1st amendment
rights. This is 100% false.
Feel free to utilize this direct language from the OCR as you remind schools and districts of their responsibilities as federally funded institutions. “Free speech, when it is discriminatory and based on race, creates a hostile learning environment for students. Schools have an obligation to respond and address it.”
Gender equity is enforced by:
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Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states:
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No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Learn More
Disability equity is enforced by:
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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Learn More