Discussion Questions:

1. The Civil Rights Movement spanned decades, and much of the progress was slow, as we saw from the timeline. Furthermore, the assassinations of Malcom X and Martin Luther King, Jr quashed much of the momentum at the time. How effective do you think the movement was at progressing ethnic equality? Has our ability to promote racial justice improved in the modern era?

2. Brown v Board of Education provided hope for the de-segregation of schools; however, the reality of de-segregation showed that schools are still unequal. Today, many schools in underserved communities do not receive the same resources and support as schools in affluent, predominantly white communities. Why do you think there is such a big gap between the promise of equal education and the reality of unequal education post-Brown v Board?

3. The Voting Rights Act was vital for giving much of the country the ability to vote. However, many are still denied the right to vote. Why do you think this is the case? What can be done to increase voting access across the country?

4. The Equal Pay Act was the first major piece of legislation to make gender-based pay discrimination illegal, yet the gender pay gap largely persists today, particularly affecting women of color and other marginalized groups. The Center for American Progress article argues that new legislation is needed to strengthen current protections and to combat additional challenges. Are new policies and action by federal and state governments are enough? Are there other actions that could help to address the underlying drivers of the wage gap?