Final answer:
A person discriminated against under the Civil Rights Act of 1866 must file a lawsuit in federal court. The act was crucial for ensuring equal rights after the Civil War and laid the groundwork for future legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person discriminated against under the Civil Rights Act of 1866 must file a lawsuit in federal court. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was intended to protect the rights of African Americans after the end of the Civil War. It addressed issues of discrimination, ensuring all citizens had the same rights regardless of race or color.
The federal courts have jurisdiction over these cases, as civil rights issues are federally mandated and protected. Across history, particularly after the invalidation of the Civil Rights Act of 1875 by the Supreme Court in 1883, individuals often sued to uphold their civil rights.
These lawsuits were a critical part of the continuous struggle against discrimination and for equal treatment in public accommodations and employment sectors.
Following the legacy of the 1866 act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, considered one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history, also enforced anti-discrimination measures and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for monitoring employment discrimination claims.