Book Description

This report reviews and summarizes 28 reports on the status and enforcement of civil rights legislation. All aspects of federal law and policy that deal with equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women and the elderly are investigated in the following areas: (1) administration of justice; (2) education; (3) employment rights; (4) health; (5) housing; (6) language rights; (7) minority business development; and (8) political rights. The rights of institutionalized persons and the rights of the disabled are treated in two separate sections. Each report focuses on the following major issues: (1) evidence of continuing inequality; (2) the role of the Federal Government in the development of proscriptions against discrimination as they existed in 1981; (3) the efforts of the Reagan Administration to modify or change longstanding interpretations of key protection and enforcement policies; (4) the enforcement record of agencies responsible for compliance; (5) emerging policy questions; and (6) recommendations to strengthen enforcement. The report concludes that the campaigns by the Reagan Administration to repeal fundamental policies providing for broad coverage of civil rights laws and affirmative remedies by and large were unsuccessful. However, there is confusion about the federal commitment to equality of opportunity, and the elimination of effective enforcement programs has resulted in the denial of opportunity to many. The Bush Administration must reaffirm its commitment to equal opportunity, reinstate enforcement programs, and restore the public's confidence in government's adherence to existing law. A total of 2,467 endnotes divided by chapter, information about the contributors, and a list of cases dealing with the civil rights of prisoners are appended. (FMW)