Civil rights generally refers to the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. Discrimination occurs when a person’s rights are denied or interfered with on the basis of their membership in such a particular group or class.
Civil rights are distinct from civil liberties, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, and other rights in the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution).
Civil rights law includes the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution—and federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
In Texas, as in all states, civil rights are protected under both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These laws apply to various areas including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law, the Fifteenth Amendment prohibits racial discrimination in voting, and the Twenty-Fourth Amendment eliminates poll taxes. Texas state law also prohibits discrimination and is enforced by the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division. The state laws cover many of the same areas as federal law and provide avenues for individuals to file complaints if they believe they have been discriminated against. It is important to note that while civil rights ensure equal treatment under the law, civil liberties offer protection of individual freedoms such as the right to free speech and the right to privacy.
