Implementing Civil Rights and the Great Society 1970s to Present

1950s-1960s Court Decisions, Legislation, and Administrative structures to implement Civil Rights: examples: –School integration –Integration of Public Accommodations –Voting Rights Act –Affirmative Action and Labor Policy

Examples of Federal Implementation Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), created in 1965 Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Labor Department (OFCCP), created in 1965 Civil Rights Division (Justice Department), founded in 1957.

EEOC Responds to complaints of discrimination by individuals Can sue violators on behalf of the federal government Offices around the country

OFCCP Conducts reviews of hiring and promotion practices of employers with federal contracts The question: does the workforce look like the labor pool? Can call for changes in labor practices by threatening to deny federal contracts Offices around the country

Civil Rights Division, DOJ Enforces all federal anti discrimination litigation Located in Washington, DC

Results? Women’s earnings on average: $.59 to $.75 of male wage By late 1990s: 40% of African-Americans in “middle class.” 60% of whites Continuing residential segregation by race: –Of WI pop: (~5 m): 220,000 African Americans in Milwaukee are about 4% of state pop but 35-40% of city

Results….Political System Black elected officials (BEO): fewer than 1500 nationally in 1970; now over 9000 Around 40 members of Congress; 49 big city mayors 57.1% of Black big city mayors elected in cities without a Black majority population Blacks are 4.7% of voting age population in WI. The 33 BEO are.2% of total in state.

Results…Political System, Wisconsin Legislature

Results….Political System, Women National Positions: –Currently about 15% of U.S. House and Senate are women; 2% since 1789 –32 women in cabinet posts ever (Frances Perkins, and Oveta Culp Hobby were only 2 before 1975) State government: –Women hold 25% of statewide elective executive offices –28 women have ever held the position of state governor. –Women held 23% of state legislators nationwide ; as compared to 4.5% in 1971

New Issues in Implementation Glass Ceiling Affirmative Action Sexual Harassment Reverse Discrimination The Double Day Mommy Track