Lasting Change

This passage explains how the Civil Rights Movement created both short-term and long-term effects in America. Short-term effects included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. These laws ended segregation and gave African Americans legal protection. Long-term effects include a more inclusive democracy, the election of leaders like President Obama, and laws protecting disabled and minority groups. The passage stresses that while progress has been made, the fight for equality continues today.

Reading about lasting change helps students understand how laws shape society. Vocabulary grows with words like “segregation,” “democracy,” and “equality.” Students build comprehension by linking specific events to long-term effects. They improve critical thinking by analyzing progress and challenges over time. Grammar and writing skills strengthen as they summarize these historical impacts in their own words.