It was the summer of 1964, just months after President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated, and the civil rights movement was in full swing. President Kennedy had campaigned on enacting civil rights protections, and was fighting to achieve that goal when his presidency was tragically cut short. In the face of sharp divisions on the proposed legislation, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law on July 2, 1964, sixty years ago.
The Act prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and aimed to end segregation nationwide. This was a monumental victory for the civil rights movement that had fought so hard against the pervasive racism that infected nearly every aspect of American life. The Act protected everyone in America from discrimination in the workplace and in public accommodations like hotels, restaurants, and public transportation.
Since the Civil Rights Act was passed, our country has made great strides in creating equal opportunity for all and has continued working to end discrimination in all its forms. Although we have yet to eradicate discrimination and racism, our nation has achieved remarkable progress.
As times change, the views of the American people have evolved. The country elected Barack Obama as our first Black President in 2008, and the Democratic Party is on the verge of nominating Kamala Harris, a Black South Asian woman, as its candidate for President this election year.
While the United States is an imperfect union, we continue to strive for true equality in our society. And every new generation has an opportunity to join the march toward ending discrimination in all its forms. Please join OUDC in celebrating this anniversary and building a lasting legacy of mutual understanding and respect among people of all races and creeds.
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