Constitutional amendments after the Civil War abolished slavery, making former slaves citizens of the United States of America. They also got the right to vote. However, some states in the South used some measures such as literacy tests and poll taxes to keep black citizens disenfranchised. These states also enforced the “Jim Crow” laws to segregate and discriminate.

Not a single civil rights act was passed for decades. Not until 1957 was a civil rights section of the Justice Department established. On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation about civil rights. This led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark civil rights and labor law became effective on July 2, 1964. It eliminated discrimination based on color, race, religion, sex, or national origin and segregation in public places. This law gives you the right to file a complaint if you believe that you have been discriminated against in such a way.

Civil rights law now encompasses basic human rights guaranteed to all American citizens by the Constitution of the United States of America.

The following are the three most common types of civil rights cases:

Employment Discrimination

Discrimination based on what you choose or do in private, or who you are is a violation of civil rights law. According to The Civil Rights Act of 1964, employment-related discrimination or segregation based on your color, race, sex, religion, or national origin is illegal. There are other Federal and States laws providing more protection to cover other factors such as sexual orientation, disability or age.

If an employer refuses to hire, fires, subjects you to a hostile work environment to drive you out or deprives you of growth (promotion) just because you belong to a particular section of the society, you can sue. You can approach one of the reputed civil lawsuit lawyers or civil rights law firms to file an employment discrimination lawsuit.

Housing Discrimination

Landlords, sellers or leasing offices often discriminate against people in protected classes. They are either denied housing or driven out. However, the Fair Housing Act 1968 provides fair access to housing. This act has been extended to cover discrimination against families with children. Landlords can discriminate in some other ways which are not illegal. For example, a landlord might say that they do not have enough space for you. So, you should talk to a civil rights attorney before filing a complaint.

Government Discrimination

Discrimination by governments and the police is the most pernicious form of discrimination. False stops, arrests, and imprisonments, police shootings and there are several other events which make this an area of great concern. When government agencies discriminate against you, you should talk to a civil rights lawyer to fight for your rights.

A victim of discrimination can hire a civil rights attorney for legal representation. A civil rights attorney is an attorney who handles cases related to discrimination, social freedom, human rights, and equality. For example, in some cases of discrimination, you can file a complaint directly with the government. However, in some cases, an investigating agency determines whether a lawsuit can be filed or not. This is where the valuable advice and services of civil right law firms can help.