Chapter 5 Discussion Questions

1. What are civil rights and how do they differ from civil liberties?

2. How do the various civil rights movements among disadvantaged groups compare to one another? Expand on the similarities and differences of their approaches and their goals.

3. What is the current status of the Equal Rights Amendment and what are the arguments for and against it?

4. Why is it essential for a democratic government to ensure the civil rights of all people residing within a nation?

5. What is the Supreme Court’s current disposition toward cases involving the civil rights of traditionally marginalized groups? What evidence can you bring to bear on this subject?

6. What has been the impact of the Trump administration in terms of the enforcement of civil rights within the Justice Department?

7. What are two contemporary civil rights issues? How do activists and advocates believe they should be addressed? How has the political system responded to activism/advocacy around these issues?