This is a WCPT’s Civil Rights Snapshot – where we spotlight civil rights issues, past and present. And, pay tribute to the people who fought for the civil liberties we enjoy today. We encourage you to get involved and stay vigilant about the civil rights we have, and those we still need to fight for.
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Child Labor
According to the University of Iowa Labor Center’s Child Labor Project, over 246 million children, many as young as five, are involved in child labor around the globe. Child labor is work that harms children or keeps them from attending school. It involves work by children under conditions that are hazardous, illegal, or exploitive. Underage children work at all sorts of jobs, usually because they and their families are extremely poor. Large numbers of children work in commercial agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, mining, and domestic service. We encourage you to learn more about exploitive child labor.
For more information check out these websites:
http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/child_labor/
http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/
http://childlaborphotoproject.org/childlabor.html
http://www.unicef.org/protection/index_childlabour.html
CLICK HERE to listen to the Civil Rights Snapshot that aired on WCPT!
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Women's Suffrage
On August 18th, 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified. It states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." As we approach the 90th anniversary of this amendment, we encourage people to pause, and think about it. It was only 90 years ago that women in this country could be denied the vote…simply because they were women! There is a long, storied list of women activists who fought bravely for this constitutional right. We are grateful for their strength and vision.
For more information check out these websites:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/suffrage/
http://www.history.com/topics/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/woman-suffrage/
http://www.susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.php
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/amendment_19/
CLICK HERE to listen to the Civil Rights Snapshot that aired on WCPT!
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LGBT Rights
In the 1960’s, public homosexuality was prohibited by law in many cities across the country. Private businesses and social clubs were regularly raided and shut down. But on June 28th 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, the patrons resisted. That night and for the following several days, members of the gay, lesbian and trans-gender community throughout the city took their anger to the streets. The Stonewall Riots, as this series of events came to be called, is viewed by many as the birth of the Gay Rights movement. We salute those brave individuals who had the fortitude to stand up against discrimination and demand equality.
For more information check out these websites:
http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/eresources/exhibitions/sw25/case1.html
http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/rights/stonewall_40th_anniversary/
CLICK HERE to listen to the Civil Rights Snapshot that aired on WCPT!
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