Civil Rights & Liberties

The 14th Amendment provides for the expansion of individual rights found in the Bill of Rights. It includes the Due Process Clause, which ensures that individuals are treated fairly by the government, and the Equal Protection Clause, which prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. The 14th Amendment has been instrumental in extending constitutional rights to marginalized groups, such as African Americans and women, and has played a crucial role in shaping civil rights and equal protection laws in the United States.

Symbolic speech refers to the use of actions, symbols, or other non-verbal forms of expression to convey an idea or message. In this case, using actions instead of words to convey an idea aligns with the concept of symbolic speech. This form of expression allows individuals to communicate their thoughts or beliefs without directly using verbal communication.

In Mapp v. Ohio, the Supreme Court determined that evidence obtained without a search warrant is in violation of the 4th amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. The court ruled that such evidence should be excluded from trial in state courts, thus upholding the constitutional guarantee. The 4th amendment ensures that law enforcement must have a valid warrant based on probable cause before conducting a search, and any evidence obtained without meeting these criteria is considered unconstitutional and inadmissible in court.

The establishment clause of the Constitution creates a wall of separation between church and state. This clause prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing any religion, ensuring that there is no official state religion. It guarantees religious freedom and prevents the government from interfering with individuals' religious beliefs or practices. This clause has been interpreted by the courts to restrict government involvement in religious activities and to maintain the secular nature of the state.

Eminent domain is the correct answer because it refers to the government's right to take private property for public use, as long as they provide fair compensation to the owner. This power is derived from the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which ensures that private property cannot be taken without just compensation. Eminent domain is a key aspect of government authority and allows for the development of public infrastructure and other projects that benefit the community as a whole.

Texas v. Johnson is the correct answer because this Supreme Court case ruled that flag burning is protected as a form of symbolic speech under the First Amendment. In this case, Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted for burning the American flag during a protest, but the Supreme Court overturned his conviction, stating that flag burning is a form of expressive conduct and is protected by the freedom of speech. This case established that the government cannot prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds it offensive or disagreeable.

The correct answer is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. This act prohibits gender discrimination in the workplace by ensuring that individuals are not discriminated against based on their gender when it comes to hiring, promotions, pay, and other employment-related decisions. It promotes equal opportunities for both men and women in the workplace and aims to create a fair and inclusive work environment.

The correct answer is the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. This landmark case in 1954 declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson. The ruling played a significant role in dismantling Jim Crow laws and legal segregation in America by challenging the notion of racial segregation as inherently unequal. It paved the way for subsequent civil rights legislation and marked a turning point in the fight for racial equality.

Wallace v. Jaffree is the correct answer because this Supreme Court case overturned an Alabama law that allowed for a moment of silence for voluntary prayer in public schools. The Court ruled that the law was unconstitutional because it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from endorsing or promoting religion. The Court held that the purpose of the law was to endorse religion and therefore it violated the separation of church and state.

The most recent government action taken to end discrimination against Native Americans in the United States is the Native American Language Act. This act aims to preserve and protect the languages of Native American tribes by providing funding for language programs and promoting the use of indigenous languages in education and public life. By recognizing and supporting the importance of Native American languages, this act helps to combat discrimination and promote cultural diversity and inclusion.