POL S 202: Intro to American Politics

1. POL S 202: Intro to American Politics “Civil Rights” Week 4: April 20, 2010 Papers due in 2 days

2. Sign up for Public Opinion Project • Survey lab dates are May 3 – May 28 • Sign up online: http://www.doodle.com/ih6q7x3ncrbv8b2h • Must work 2 days • Can work extra days for extra credit • Lab is in Smith Hall 220

3. American Politics in the News… Interesting News Stories: 1. 2. 3.

4. Civil Rights for Other Groups • Latino • Asian American • Native American • Hawaiian, Alaskan • Immigrant groups (language rights) • Women • Gay / Lesbian • Elderly / Youth

5. Civil Rights and Immigration • Historically, America is founded and has grown by way of immigration and the successful incorporation of immigrants • Over 12% of U.S. population foreign born • During 1990s immigrant rights questioned • Post 9/11 immigrant rights have come under attack and been decreased • According to some, difficult to balance civil rights and national security

6. Civil Rights and Latinos • 1947 – Mendez v. Westminister desegregated schools for Latinos • 1954 – Hernandez v. Texas declared Mexican Americans were entitled to equal protection under 14th Amd. • 1968 – Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) is founded • 1970 – VRA is extended to cover Latino majority areas in Southwest • 1975 – VRA adds section 203, bilingual assistance • 1986 – Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) • 1997 – California Prop 187 ruled unconstitutional, saying that “California is powerless to enact its own legislative scheme to regulate immigration”

7. Gender Equality in Voting • Constitution does not guarantee nor does it deny women the right to vote • 1848 Mott & Stanton organize first women’s rights convention in New York • 1869 Anthony & Stanton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association • Early 1900s numerous groups formed to push for women’s voting rights • 1920, 19th Amd. gives women the vote

8. Women’s Movement • 1966, Friedan helps form the National Organization for Women (NOW) • Equal Rights Amendment: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” • ERA passes Congress in 1972, goes to states for ratification, need 38 to pass • Courts have been an arena to challenge gender discrimination using the 14th Amd.

9. Gender Based Discrimination • Increased number of women in workforce as result of movement in 1960s/70s • Title VII of Civil Rights Act prohibits gender discrimination in employment • Supreme Court interprets Title VII to prohibit sexual harassment in workplace • Equal Pay Act of 1963 prevents outright wage discrimination against women • Wage / Promotion discrimination continue today; difficult to prove in court of law • Family Medical Leave Act of 1993

10. Affirmative Action Affirmative Action: A policy in admission or hiring that gives special consideration to traditionally disadvantaged groups • 1965, President Johnson orders AA into effect for all government agencies • 1978, Regents v. Bakke, Court rules that race can not be the only determining factor • 2003, University of Michigan, Court struck down undergraduate policy, but upheld the law school policy

11. 2007 Supreme Court Decision • Based on Seattle, WA and Louisville, KY • Ruled that school admissions or open enrollment can not take student race into account, in a 5 – 4 decision • Schools can not seek demographic or diversity balance among student population • Will this lead to more segregation among public schools in major cities?

12. Expansion of Civil Rights • Bilingual Education: 1968 Congress authorized bilingual education, 1974 Court upholds • Age Discrimination Employment Act 1967 protects older employees from discrimination • American with Disabilities Act, 1990, requires all public buildings to be accessible • 1996 – NOAA agreement with Makah Tribe on gray whale fishing rights • 1999 – Court upholds fishing rights of Chippewa Tribe • Gay Rights, 1986 Court upholds a Georgia law that makes homosexual conduct a crime • 2003, Lawrence v. Texas, Court reversed itself and held laws against homosexual conduct violate due process clause of 14th Amd.