1. Iowa Civil Rights Commission Our Vision is a state free of discrimination. Our Mission is to enforce the civil rights laws of Iowa.

2. What are Civil Rights? Civil Rights - Laws which protect you against discrimination or mistreatment. Civil Rights - Laws which protect you against discrimination or mistreatment. USA Civil Rights Act of 1964 USA Civil Rights Act of 1964 Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 Discrimination – treating someone differently because of who they are or what they look like. Discrimination – treating someone differently because of who they are or what they look like. Without knowing the person Without knowing the person Based on misunderstandings/stereotypes Based on misunderstandings/stereotypes

3. Activity

4. What we know about lemons… Yellow Yellow Round Round Shiny Shiny Juicy Juicy Sour Sour Small Small Grows on trees Grows on trees

5. What is special about your lemon? How did you pick yours out? Shape Shape Texture Texture Name Name Size Size Marks Marks Colors Colors Bumps Bumps

6. Some questions to think about… How did you pick out your lemon? How did you pick out your lemon? Can you see differences in your lemon? Can you see differences in your lemon? How did your thoughts change as we did the activity? How did your thoughts change as we did the activity? Did you think about all lemons the same way before as you did about your lemon now? Did you think about all lemons the same way before as you did about your lemon now? Do you think your lemon has had the same “life” as all the other lemons? Why? Do you think your lemon has had the same “life” as all the other lemons? Why? Scuffs, bumps, color, shape Scuffs, bumps, color, shape

7. What does this have to do with Civil Rights? Sometimes people make snap judgments about other people. Sometimes people make snap judgments about other people. Hurtful Hurtful Unfair Unfair Incorrect Incorrect Everyone is different and has had different “lives” that make them who they are. Everyone is different and has had different “lives” that make them who they are. Everyone deserves equal treatment and respect. All people have value as humans. Everyone deserves equal treatment and respect. All people have value as humans. Civil Rights Civil Rights

8. Why is this important? We have not always had the rights we have today We have not always had the rights we have today Many people have had a very difficult fight to get equality and respect. Many people have had a very difficult fight to get equality and respect. People stood up to unfair treatment, and fought for equal rights and freedom from discrimination. People stood up to unfair treatment, and fought for equal rights and freedom from discrimination. Bravery/Courage Bravery/Courage Think for themselves Think for themselves Cared for others Cared for others

9. What it was like… 13 th Amendment – Freeing Slaves 14 th Amendment – Equal Rights for All 15 th Amendment – Voting Rights for All

10. It passes on…

11. It becomes a movement… USA Civil Rights Act – 1964 Iowa Civil Rights Act - 1965

12. Your rights today Protected relationships called “areas” Protected relationships called “areas” Employment Employment Getting hired at a job Getting hired at a job Housing Housing Renting a house or apartment Renting a house or apartment Public Accommodation Public Accommodation Restaurants, hospitals, bathrooms, parks Restaurants, hospitals, bathrooms, parks Education Education Credit Credit Getting a loan Getting a loan

13. List of protected characteristics called “bases” Race Race Color Color Creed (Beliefs) Creed (Beliefs) National Origin (Country) National Origin (Country) Religion Religion Gender Gender Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Pregnancy Pregnancy Physical/Mental Disability Physical/Mental Disability Age Age Family (Kids) Family (Kids) Whether you are married Whether you are married

14. What this means for the future Remember what people in the past did Remember what people in the past did Courage, selflessness, individuality Courage, selflessness, individuality Stand up for equality and respect Stand up for equality and respect Snap judgments can be hurtful and are wrong and unfair Snap judgments can be hurtful and are wrong and unfair Everyone comes from different places and has different lives. All people deserve equal treatment and respect. Everyone comes from different places and has different lives. All people deserve equal treatment and respect. Making a difference. Making a difference.

15. "It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.“ -- Robert Kennedy

16. DREAMS Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. -- Langston Hughes