Final answer:
Civil rights are government guarantees of equal protection under the law, regardless of membership in a group based on a shared characteristic such as race, gender, age, or disability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Civil rights are government guarantees of equal protection under the law, regardless of membership in a group based on a shared characteristic such as race, gender, age, or disability. These protections include prohibiting discrimination in job markets and housing, ensuring equal access to society and political activities, and safeguarding against unfair treatment based on individual attributes.