Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination is the act of differentiating in favor of or against one person as compared to others with no regard for individual merit.

At the heart of racial discrimination is racism, a belief that differences in physical appearance between people determine cultural or individual achievement, and often involves the idea that one race is superior to another.

In practice, racism takes on a variety of forms such as racial prejudice, segregation and subjugation to name a few. The history of countries worldwide is marked by wars, pillaging and overt acts of hatred and violence between races.

Roots of a civil rights movement took hold in the mid-20th century. Since then governments in many countries have enacted legislation aimed at racial equality and prevention of racial discrimination.

In the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the first major piece of legislation passed to protect its citizens from racial and other forms of discrimination, and was soon followed by additional laws further expanding on the prohibition of discrimination of every type.

Despite the enactment of civil rights laws, as well as world conferences and conventions, dealing with human rights and the elimination of racism, racial discrimination still occurs in many areas of public life, such as in advertising, employment, buying or renting property, the provision of goods and services and access to public places. Typically, racial discrimination in business practices, in schools and other public venues tends to be subtle and to some extent hidden within the operation of established and respected forces in the society.

When your civil rights have been violated in real estate transactions, hotels, schools, the provision of business services, or if you are a victim of racial discrimination in the course of employment, an attorney who practices in the area of civil rights or employment law can evaluate your claims and determine, If you have grounds for a lawsuit, or if action such as mediation may effectively resolve your problem.

Helpful Links

Facts about Race/Color Discrimination

Race Discrimination - Types

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