User:Loriannking/sandbox

Civil rights are the rights that people have regarding their equality, political and social freedom under the law. These rights are granted to people through the 13th and 14th Amendments in the United States Constitution. Although these rights are determined on a national level, each state has the power to integrate and enforce laws about civil rights in different ways in their state constitution. Different groups of people, especially minorities, have been affected by the different implementation of equal protection under the law. The state of Utah is an example of a state handling civil rights laws differently from the national level. Even when Utah’s laws promoted equality, social standards and behavior did not comply. Throughout history, Utah has experienced moments of progression and other times the state did not keep up with the rapid changes of society. A major factor in Utah’s standing with the law is the religious influence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints projected into legislature and society. Specific civil rights affected different groups and minorities such as women, hispanics, LGTBQ, and African Americans in ways regrading in discrimination to voting, wages, jobs, and education. Women in Utah fought along with many other National suffragists to gain the right to vote. Hispanics were discriminated against through segregation of housing and jobs. Of these minority groups, the LGBTQ+ community has been affected by Utah laws limiting their actions until recently. Like in many other states, African Americans faced discrimination through segregation, with additional pressure through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on their society. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Utah_Civil_Rights.png

Women

Women had an interesting history in the state of Utah gaining some civil rights. Utah was the first state that had women vote in an election, even though Wyoming was the first state to allow women to vote. Women gained the right to vote in 1870, but were disenfranchised by the Edmunds-Tucker Act in order to limit the practice of polygamy. Then regained their right to vote and were allowed to hold office in 1895. Women were initially granted the right to vote in hopes that they would start voting in opposition of plural marriage. But women in Utah were actually voting in support of polygamy and even protesting anti-polygamy legislation. The Edmunds-Tucker Act was an attempt to stop the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from practicing polygamy by putting into place many laws to prohibit it, one of which was taking away Utah womens’ right to vote. ( I will continue in this paragraph to go through time until more present day civil rights)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seraph_Young_Voting.jpg

Hispanics

Latinos make up 21% of the entire United States population. In Utah, the Latino community is a minority, but they are the largest minority in the state, making up approximately 14% of the state population. While they are the largest minority group, they are not spread out evenly throughout the state, which is evident when looking at school districts. Provo City School District is approximately 24% Latino while Nebo and Alpine Districts are around 12%. This correlates to the fact that the Provo City School District population is 41% economically disadvantaged while Nebo and Alpine Districts are around 20% economically disadvantaged. While most Latinos are living in Utah county, many are beginning to move out due to increasing housing prices. Housing for Latinos is a problem in Utah because of the language barrier. Many Latinos moving to Utah get taken advantage of from landlords because they do not have connections to help them or speak the same language. There is a pattern of landlords raising rent which causes Latinos to leave because they cannot afford the prices. Utah has Circle Programs in place to help the Latino community with financial stability and food.

LGTBQ

The LGTBQ community has been present in Utah since before the case of Equality Utah v. Utah State Board of Education. In this case, students fought against the State of Utah for discriminating and banning positive conversations regarding LGBTQ students in public schools. In this case, students fought against the State of Utah for discriminating and banning positive conversations regarding LGBTQ students in public schools. Since the beginning of the State of Utah, there has been a strong Latter-Day Saint influence in the legislation. This influence was shown through the different laws set in place for the State of Utah. In 1851, a person of the male gender was not allowed to have sexual intercourse with another man. Resulting in the ban of homosexual behavior.

African Americans

The African American influence in Utah has been slim, and close to none. The State of Utah is predominately of the white, European race. In Utah, African Americans make up about 2% of the population. Due to the high influence and population of the white, European’s in Utah, laws were implemented to benefit those of the majority, rather than the minority. In 1898, a Utah state law was passed that banned marriage between a man and woman of opposite races. More discrimination occured for the African Americans through not allowing them to swim in municipal pools, restricted real estate, residential living patterns, and policies of private businesses changed.