BRONZEVILLE — The Chicago Urban League plans to further recognize the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act with an event Tuesday that includes a panel discussion about how America has changed since President Lyndon Johnson signed the historic legislation on July 2, 1964.
The Civil Rights Act made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also ended school, work and public facility discrimination, and barred unequal application of voter registration requirements.
The event, which is sponsored by Allstate and is in collaboration with the Chicago History Museum and the DuSable Museum of African American History, begins with a 6 p.m. reception at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Following the reception will be remarks at 6:45 p.m. from Stacy Sharpe, a senior vice president with Allstate, and Gary Johnson, president and CEO of the museum, before Andrea Zopp, president and CEO of the urban league, leads a panel discussion.
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark moment in our nation’s history that opened many doors of opportunity for African Americans, women and other marginalized groups,” Zopp said. “While many have benefited from the legislation, there are still many barriers to full equality and inclusion. This event gives the community an opportunity to reflect on the last 50 years and discuss pathways to create more opportunities for advancement, diversity and inclusion.”
Other panelists are Carol Adams, president and CEO, DuSable Museum of African American History; Mitzi Miller, editor-in-chief of Ebony magazine; Clay Risen, a New York Times editor and author of “The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act;" Bonnie Boswell, executive producer, “The Power broker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights;" and Adam Green, an associate professor of history at the University of Chicago.
Sharpe said while America has made positive steps toward equality over the past 50 years, more are needed to ensure that the act is fully carried out.
“The 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 gives us, as a nation, the opportunity to honor our past and look to our future,” said Sharpe. "We’ve come a long way in 50 years, but there’s a lot more work to be done in our communities and society.”
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