Final answer:
Civil rights are guarantees of equal treatment under the law, crucial for political, social, and economic equality.
Not all distinctions made by laws are acceptable; they must pass certain constitutional standards to avoid discrimination. The concept differs from civil liberties, which are freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Civil Rights
Civil rights are the government guarantees of equal treatment without discrimination based on characteristics like race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, age, or national origin.
They are fundamental to ensuring political, social, and economic equality for all citizens. Civil rights include the right to vote, run for office, equal employment opportunities, and the right to file a civil suit, among others. It is important to recognize when a civil rights issue exists, which typically involves asking whether similarly situated individuals are being treated differently.
Distinctions in Law
While laws can make distinctions between people, not all distinctions are constitutionally acceptable. Courts use certain standards when deciding whether a discriminatory law or action is unconstitutional.
A distinction based on age, such as not allowing a ten-year-old to vote, is considered reasonable. However, distinctions that mandate racial segregation or deny voting rights based on race are clear violations of civil rights and are unconstitutional.
Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties
The difference between civil rights and civil liberties often comes up in discussions of legal protections. Civil liberties are basic freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, while civil rights concern the right to be free from discrimination.
Civil liberties are about being protected from government action, whereas civil rights involve protection from discriminatory treatment regardless of membership in certain groups.