Rights & Responsibilities of Citizens

* Citizenship is stated in the 14 th Amendment. *2 ways: –Born – Naturalization

Citizens rights are based on: Security, Equality, Liberty Citizens rights can fall into 3 categories: personal, political, or economic.

 If a person fails to complete their duties they are subject to legal penalties, fines, or imprisonment.  When people accept their duties it strengthens our community & helps secure our nations rights.

Obeying the law helps protects & gives people safety. Everyone must/should defend the nation by volunteering or the draft Paying taxes provides services

Serve in Court by being a witness or on a jury Attend School to be a productive & knowledgeable citizen

Be Informed Speak up & Vote

* Fill out form at least 25 days before election.  Form can be obtained through:  County/ state/ welfare offices & agencies  DMV due to Motor Voter Act  Mail  Internet

 18 years or older  Resident of state for a specific period  USA citizen  Not be imprisoned  Register Voter  Electorate

Fill out, 1 week before election, an Absentee Ballot= mail order ballot given when someone cannot Vote on election day at the poling place & is not counted until election day After voting, people/media are known to try & find out result ahead of time, by conducting Exit Polls= survey based on the public’s vote, after leaving the polling place Vote in person between 6:00am & 8:00pm at a Polling Place= location of where a person is assigned to vote

Respect the Rights of others & their property, because the public pays for it in the end. Respect Diversity through toleration Do not be a bystander & contribute to the common good

Volunteerism People tend to volunteer when they have a personal connection or know others involved. Brings real & immediate change to the welfare of the community Since bureaucracies/ bureaucrats Cannot respond to problems quickly.

People volunteer to know they have served the community & in return served themselves. Makes a difference in the community: * better place to live *gain new opportunities to learn *make friends *improve teamwork, leadership, & problem-solving skills.

Donate Money or time Help at animal shelters Collect canned goods Preparing things for needy families Record books for the blind Cleaning up public property Visit homes Being a mentor Tour Guides

sponsor teams or donate prizes give money for community projects/ scholarships, match charitable donations, or give employees time off to volunteer.

Schools enforcing community service hours Charities fight for specific causes American Red Cross/ AmeriCorps Peace Corps USA Freedom Corps/ Citizen Corps Senior Corps

Struggles that gained Amendments African-Americans civil rights were violated through forms of discrimination & segregation (Jim Crow Laws) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & the Freedom Riders demonstrated the need for change through non- violent protest.

Struggles that gained Amendments Organizations such as the NUL & NAACP, provided help for African-Americans & fought against discrimination People participated in sit-ins & held court cases like Brown vs. Board of Education to fight segregation

 Civil Rights Act of 1957  Equal Pay Act of 1963  Civil Rights Act of 1964  Voting Rights Act of 1965  Open Housing Act of 1968  Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972  Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Challenges Amendments Face Today Racial Profiling can help prevent hate crimes; but at the same time it hinders equal rights & individuality Affirmative Action helps minorities deal with discrimination; while facing accusations in itself.