Celebrating 60 Years: The Diamond Jubilee of the Civil Rights Act 

Tomorrow, we celebrate the diamond jubilee of The Civil Rights Act (CRA), its 60^th anniversary. While the landmark legislation is a cornerstone in the fight for equality in the United States, several of its diversity, equity, and inclusion provisions are less well known. Here’s our quick take on the 11 Titles, or sections, that address different aspects of civil rights protections and enforcement and together comprise the CRA.   

• Title I – Voting Rights: aims to ensure that all citizens have the right to vote by eliminating discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes.  

• Title II – Public Accommodations: prohibits discrimination in public accommodations (like hotels, restaurants, theaters) based on race, color, religion, or national origin.  

• Title III – Desegregation of Public Facilities: authorizes the Attorney General to file lawsuits to desegregate public facilities and schools.  

• Title IV – Desegregation of Public Education: strengthens the desegregation efforts in public schools and provides for the withholding of federal funds from segregated schools.  

• Title V – Commission on Civil Rights: establishes the United States Commission on Civil Rights to investigate civil rights violations and make recommendations to the President and Congress.  

• Title VI – Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs: prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally assisted programs and activities.  

• Title VII – Equal Employment Opportunity: prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin by employers with 15 or more employees.  

• Title VIII – Registration and Voting Statistics: requires certain jurisdictions to keep records of voter registration and voting statistics.  

• Title IX – Intervention and Procedure After Removal of Cases: provides procedures for intervention in cases related to civil rights violations.  

• Title X – Community Relations Service: establishes the Community Relations Service to assist communities in resolving disputes related to discriminatory practices.  

• Title XI – Miscellaneous Provisions: contains miscellaneous provisions related to the enforcement of the Civil Rights Act.  

On the 60th anniversary of this federal civil rights legislation, the struggle for equality and justice endures. Here at Nazareth Bonifacino Law, we are proud to champion an inclusive, equitable world with civil rights for all.