"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
With these words, the authors of the Declaration of Independence outlined a bold vision of a nation in which all people would be free and equal. More than two hundred years later, it has yet to be achieved. Though generations of civil rights activism have led to important gains in legal, political, social, employment, educational and other spheres, the forced removal of indigenous peoples and the enslavement of those of African descent marked the beginnings of a system of racial injustice from which our nation has yet to break free. From public educational institutions where students of color are too often confined to racially isolated, underfunded and inferior schools, to a criminal justice system that disproportionately targets and incarcerates people of color, to anti-immigrant legislation, disfranchisement and housing starkly segregated by race and class, the dream of full equality remains an elusive one.
While the law provides equal opportunity in theory, it is too often denied in fact. The Racial Justice Program, which is a division of the national ACLU, aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race. The Program is committed to combating racism in all its forms, and its advocacy includes litigation, community organizing and training, legislative initiatives, and public education to address the broad spectrum of issues that disproportionately and negatively impact people of color.