White House Conference on Civil Rights facts for kids

The White House Conference on Civil Rights was a big meeting held in Washington, D.C., on June 1 and 2, 1966. Its main goal was to help stop unfair treatment against African Americans. This meeting followed important laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

What Was the Civil Rights Conference?

The White House Conference on Civil Rights was a special event. It brought together many people to talk about fairness and equality. The conference wanted to make sure that everyone, especially African Americans, had the same rights and opportunities.

Why Was This Conference Held?

President Lyndon B. Johnson had promised this important meeting. He first mentioned it during a speech at Howard University in 1965. The conference was named "To Fulfill These Rights." This name was a nod to an older report from 1947. That report, from President Harry S. Truman's time, was called "To Secure These Rights."

The conference aimed to build on the success of two major laws. These were the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws helped end some forms of discrimination. But leaders knew more work was needed to make sure everyone was treated fairly.

Who Attended the Conference?

More than 2,400 people came to the conference. They represented many different civil rights groups. These groups worked hard to achieve equal rights for all Americans.

However, one major group did not attend. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) chose to boycott the event. This means they decided not to participate.

What Topics Were Discussed?

The conference focused on four main areas. These were important parts of daily life where discrimination often happened. The discussions aimed to find solutions and make improvements.

Fair Housing for Everyone

One key topic was housing. This meant making sure people could live wherever they wanted. It aimed to stop unfair rules that prevented African Americans from buying or renting homes in certain areas.

Economic Security and Jobs

Another important area was economic security. This focused on helping people find good jobs. It also looked at making sure everyone had a fair chance to earn a living. The goal was to end job discrimination.

Equal Education Opportunities

Education was also a big part of the talks. The conference wanted to improve schools for all children. It aimed to ensure that every student received a good education, no matter their background.

Justice and the Law

Finally, the administration of justice was discussed. This meant looking at how laws were applied. The goal was to make sure everyone was treated fairly by the legal system. It aimed to prevent unfair treatment in courts or by police.

What Came Out of the Conference?

After the conference, a detailed report was created. This report was about a hundred pages long. It made several important suggestions for the future.

The report called for new laws to stop racial discrimination. It specifically mentioned housing and the justice system. It also suggested that the government spend more money. This money would help improve housing and education for everyone.