Civil Rights Vocabulary

adjective describing someone who is free to do as they please

preposition indicating the location or position of being free

• The suspect was not at liberty to leave the country while under investigation.
• I'm not at liberty to discuss that information with you.
• I can't go out tonight, my parents aren't at liberty to let me.
• After finishing my work, I finally felt at liberty to relax and enjoy my evening.

noun a person who is not white or of European descent

• It is important to treat every colored person with respect and dignity.
• I heard that the new employee is a colored person.
• Some people still use offensive slang terms when referring to a colored person.
• The artist used vibrant colors to represent the beauty of the colored person in the painting.

noun the legal procedures established by a government to protect the rights of individuals

• The defendant was ensured due process throughout the legal proceedings.
• They made sure to follow all the rules when dealing with that case.
• They had to go through all the red tape to make sure everything was done right.
• Just like a well-oiled machine, due process ensures that justice is served fairly.

verb to set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; to liberate

• The government worked to emancipate the oppressed group from years of discrimination.
• She felt a sense of freedom and empowerment after she decided to emancipate herself from a toxic relationship.
• I'm ready to emancipate myself from this dead-end job and start pursuing my dreams.
• Learning to forgive and let go of past grievances can help emancipate your mind from negative thoughts.

verb to grant someone the right to vote or to give a group of people a particular right or privilege

• After years of fighting for their rights, women were finally enfranchised and granted the right to vote.
• Once they turned 18, they were enfranchised and could participate in elections.
• Dude, once you're enfranchised, you can totally have a say in how things are run around here.
• Education is the key to being enfranchised and empowered to make informed decisions.

noun a formal order or decree

• The court issued an injunction to prevent the company from continuing with their illegal activities.
• The judge told them to stop doing that thing or else.
• The court dropped a 'no-no' on the company for their shady business practices.
• The injunction was like a roadblock preventing the company from moving forward with their plans.

noun a group of people that is different in some way from the larger group in a society, such as race, religion, or culture

• The government has implemented policies to protect the rights of minority groups in the country.
• It's important to stand up for the rights of minority groups in our community.
• We need to have the backs of minority groups and support them in any way we can.
• In a field of roses, be a sunflower - standing out as a minority group but shining brightly nonetheless.

noun marriage, cohabitation, or sexual relations between people of different races

• Miscegenation laws were once prevalent in many states, prohibiting interracial marriage.
• Some people still hold outdated views on miscegenation, but society is becoming more accepting.
• I can't believe they're still talking about miscegenation like it's a big deal.
• In literature, miscegenation is often used as a symbol of breaking down societal barriers.

noun a member of a dark-skinned group of peoples originally native to Africa, or a person of African descent

adjective relating to black people or African culture

• The term 'negro' was once commonly used to refer to people of African descent.
• My grandfather still uses the term 'negro' to describe black people.
• Some people might use the term 'negro' casually, but it can be offensive to others.
• In some cultures, the color black is associated with darkness and negativity, hence the term 'negro'.

noun the practice of abstaining from violent actions or behaviors

• Nonviolence is a fundamental principle of many religious and ethical belief systems.
• Choosing nonviolence as a means of resolving conflicts can lead to long-lasting peace.
• Dude, practicing nonviolence is way cooler than resorting to fighting all the time.
• In the battle against injustice, nonviolence is our most powerful weapon.

noun A person who publicly demonstrates strong objection or disapproval of something

verb None

adjective None

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pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The protester was peacefully demonstrating outside of the government building.
• Did you see that protester with the clever sign at the rally?
• The protester was totally owning the protest with their chants.
• The protester's voice echoed through the streets, demanding change.

noun the enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment

• Segregation based on race was a common practice in the United States during the 20th century.
• The segregation of students into different classrooms based on their test scores is unfair.
• I can't believe there's still segregation in this day and age, it's messed up.
• The segregation of tasks among team members led to inefficiency and lack of collaboration.

noun a physical position of standing

verb to rise to an upright position on the feet

• Please stand up when the judge enters the courtroom.
• Hey, can you stand up and let me sit there?
• I dare you to stand up to that bully and show them who's boss.
• It's time to stand up for what you believe in and make a difference.

adjective describing something that is not allowed by law

• Engaging in unlawful activities can result in serious legal consequences.
• You shouldn't do anything unlawful if you don't want to get in trouble.
• It's not cool to be involved in any unlawful stuff, man.
• Breaking the rules is like walking down the path of unlawful actions.

adjective describing something that is not right or fair, especially in a legal context

• The lawyer argued that the company was responsible for the wrongful termination of the employee.
• She was accused of wrongful parking in the handicapped spot.
• He got into a lot of trouble for that wrongful prank.
• Her wrongful actions cast a dark shadow over her reputation.

noun A formal document that outlines the terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties

• The company agreed to a consent decree to settle the lawsuit.
• The company had to sign a consent decree to end the legal battle.
• The company was forced to comply with a consent decree to wrap up the case.
• Signing the consent decree was like closing a chapter in the company's history.

noun a government or social system dominated by or advocating slavery

• The slavocracy in the southern states was a system built on the exploitation of enslaved people.
• The slavocracy was a dark chapter in American history where slavery was prevalent in the south.
• Back in the day, the slavocracy was all about owning slaves and treating them as property.
• The slavocracy of the past still haunts us today in the form of systemic racism and inequality.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'Sikh' refers to a follower of Sikhism, and 'anti-Sikh' refers to someone or something that is against or opposed to Sikhs.

adjective A word that describes or gives more information about a noun, in this case, 'Sikh'. It indicates opposition or hostility towards Sikhs.

• The government passed an anti-Sikh law that discriminated against followers of the Sikh religion.
• I heard about an anti-Sikh protest happening downtown tomorrow.
• Don't be anti-Sikh, respect everyone's beliefs.
• His remarks were like an anti-Sikh dagger to the heart of the community.

noun A place where undocumented immigrants are protected from deportation and can access local government services without fear of being reported to immigration authorities.

• The city declared itself a sanctuary city, offering protection to undocumented immigrants.
• I heard our city might become a sanctuary city for immigrants.
• That city is all about being a sanctuary city, man.
• To her, the library was a sanctuary city where she could escape reality.

noun a person or group that opposes apartheid

adjective opposing or against apartheid

• The international community imposed sanctions on South Africa in support of the anti-apartheid movement.
• Many people joined the anti-apartheid protests to fight against discrimination.
• The anti-apartheid activists were determined to bring down the oppressive regime.
• The anti-apartheid struggle was a beacon of hope for oppressed people around the world.

verb to inform someone of their legal rights, especially the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, as per the Miranda warning

• The police officer made sure to mirandize the suspect before questioning.
• Hey man, remember to mirandize them before you start asking questions.
• Don't forget to mirandize that dude before you start grilling him.
• Before making any decisions, it's important to mirandize all the possible consequences.

noun a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery

• The abolitionist movement aimed to end slavery in the United States.
• My great-great-grandfather was an abolitionist who fought for the freedom of all people.
• That abolitionist really knew how to stir things up and make a difference.
• She was an abolitionist of negativity, always striving to eliminate toxic influences from her life.

noun peace

• The protest turned into a breach of the peace when violence erupted.
• The party next door got out of hand and turned into a breach of the peace.
• Things got rowdy at the concert and it turned into a breach of the peace.
• The heated argument between the siblings was like a breach of the peace in the household.

noun The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization devoted to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

• The ACLU is known for defending civil liberties and fighting for constitutional rights.
• I heard that the ACLU is taking on a big case against the government.
• The ACLU is always out here fighting the good fight.
• The ACLU is like a guardian angel for those whose rights are being violated.

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb, expressing manner, place, time, or degree

• The witness answered affirmatively when asked if they saw the suspect at the scene of the crime.
• She nodded affirmatively when I asked if she wanted to go to the movies.
• He totally said affirmatively to going to the party tonight.
• The artist's use of bold colors affirmatively expressed their emotions in the painting.

noun the act of granting freedom or citizenship, especially to a formerly enslaved person

• The affranchisement of the slaves was a significant milestone in the country's history.
• The affranchisement of the workers led to better working conditions for everyone.
• Dude, the affranchisement of that group was long overdue.
• The affranchisement of the mind is just as important as physical freedom.