WHAT IS TITLE VI OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

• Published in: Washington Afro-American and the Washington Tribune (Capital ed.) Vol. 106; no. 48
• Main Authors: Bandy, Kimberly, Birdsong, J A
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, D.C Afro - American Company of Baltimore City 24.07.1998
• Subjects: Civil law; Civil rights; Federal government; Law; Minority & ethnic groups; Politics; Race relations; United States

Historically, African-Americans have been on the periphery of the planning of programs and activities that receive this federal assistance. If a state local, private, non-profit organization receives any federal funding the entity's entire programs and activities are subject to Title VI. Title VI remains the broadest instrument available to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination. Title VI applies to approximately 27 federal agencies administering more than 1,000 programs and distributing annually an estimated $900 billion in federal financial assistance. The magnitude and economic impact of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act was not fully understood or simply forgotten. Title VI is seldom mentioned by our African-American leadership at the national level, especially, as it applies to public policy issues. The language of Title VI was drafted to be the last word on discrimination -- a catchall provision to end racial discrimination in federally funded programs. The purpose of Title VI is to eradicate illegal discrimination in programs or activities funded by the federal government. Title VI prohibits a broad range of discriminatory activity, including the denial of services, differences in the quality, quantity or manner of services, different standards for participation, discrimination in any activity conducted in a facility built with Federal funds, and discriminatory employment practices if the primary purpose of the program is to provide employment or if the employment practice causes discrimination with respect to potential or actual beneficiaries. These prohibited practices have been interpreted to include, among other actions, incidents of racial or ethnic harassment, the creation of a hostile racial, or ethnic environment, and a disproportionate burden of environmental health risks on minority communities.