The Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly Title VII, prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This landmark legislation established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce its provisions. For example, the Act made it illegal to refuse to hire or promote someone because of their religious beliefs or ethnicity.
This legislation fundamentally altered the American workplace by ensuring fairer hiring and promotion practices. It created a level playing field for individuals previously excluded from opportunities due to discriminatory practices, contributing significantly to social and economic progress. The Acts passage marked a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights, providing legal recourse against discriminatory employment practices and empowering marginalized communities to pursue equal opportunities.