3.10 Social Movements and Equal Protection
The Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause as well as other constitutional provisions have often been used to support the advancement of equality.
Explain how constitutional provisions have supported and motivated social movements.
Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, national origin, religion, and sex; these rights are guaranteed to all citizens under the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution, as well as acts of Congress.
The leadership and events associated with civil, women’s, and LGBT rights are evidence of how the equal protection clause can support and motivate social movements, as represented by:
Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and the civil rights movement of the 1960s
The National Organization for Women and the women’s rights movement
Social movements are collective actions taken by individuals or groups to bring about social, political, economic, or cultural change. These movements can range from grassroots efforts to large-scale protests and can be fueled by a variety of motivations, such as a desire for equal rights, greater representation, or more just policies. The principle of equal protection is a key component of many social movements and refers to the idea that all individuals should be treated equally under the law, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics. This principle is enshrined in many constitutions and is considered a cornerstone of modern democracies.
Civil Rights Movement: This movement aimed to secure equal rights and end racial discrimination against African Americans in the 1950s and 1960s. It was led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
Women's Suffrage Movement: This movement, which took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aimed to secure women's right to vote.
LGBTQ+ Rights Movement: This movement, which has been ongoing for several decades, seeks to secure equal rights and protections for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
Labor Movement: This movement, which dates back to the late 19th century, aims to improve working conditions and secure fair wages for workers.
Environmental Movement: This movement, which gained traction in the 1960s and 1970s, aims to protect the environment and promote sustainable development practices.
Anti-War Movement: This movement, which has taken place during several different wars, aims to protest and end wars and military interventions.
Disability Rights Movement: This movement, which began in the 1960s and 1970s, aims to secure equal rights and protections for people with disabilities.