In 1954, The Supreme Court of the United States decided the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education. In that case, the Court found that separating public school students by color was a violation of the United States Constitution. This historic decision, however, did not end discrimination and the Civil Rights movement continued to rage on. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his “I Have a Dream Speech” in Washington D.C. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law just a year later making it unlawful to discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion or sex.
Still rampant in the workplace in many areas, the federal government took affirmative steps to eradicate discrimination in federal hiring when President Lyndon Johnson issued Executive Order 11246 on September 24, 1965. Executive Order 11246 allowed the Secretary of Labor, a Cabinet-level official, the ability to enforce laws requiring equal employment opportunities for any business awarded government contracts. This executive order was the beginning of federal action designed to end discrimination—at least where the federal government was concerned.
As a public service type announcement, a video was created for companies doing business with the federal government in an effort to educate them on the need to comply with the rule.
https://archive.org/details/0547_New_Girl_in_the_Office_The_21_03_13_04
Your assignment is to watch the video created to educate companies about Executive Order 11246. After watching the video, do some research and find a current case where claims of discrimination have been made in the workplace. You can find a current claim by researching newspaper articles, government websites (state or federal), or court websites.
In the context of the case you have found, discuss whether the behavior of the participants in the film has any relevance today. In other words, has the workplace evolved since Executive Order 11246 was signed in light of the current example of discrimination you have discovered through your research? If so, how has it evolved?
Support your discussion with material from Chapter 21 of the textbook in addition to any other source materials you may find helpful. One in particular, The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency charged with enforcing the laws that protect against discrimination, will provide much insight for this assignment.
The paper should be between four (4) and six (6) pages in length, double-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides. I require both a Work Cited Page (not included in the page limit) for all outside sources, including the textbook. I also require embedded citations to any statement in your paper that quotes, relies upon, or paraphrases a concept or idea NOT YOUR OWN. Failure to provide proper source attribution at both the assignment level (Work Cited page) and textual level (the end of a sentence) will result in a failing grade. Standard MLA format or other acceptable method of citation is appropriate as long as the reader is alerted to an outside source when required.
Grades will reflect:
· The content–specific application of the relevant reading material.
· The writing—organization, accuracy, clarity of expression, spelling, grammar, attribution and citation and, finally, professionalism.
Format:
· Attach a WORD document in the space provided on Ulearn
· Text length should not exceed six (6) pages
· Follow memo heading used in assignment (e.g. To: Professor Less, From: Student Name, Re: Topic)
· Double spaced
· One inch margins
· 12 point times new roman or any equivalent typeface
· Embed citations to quotes or paraphrased material from the text
Pitfalls to Avoid:
· Failing to provide context for your reader (do not assume the reader has seen the video—you must summarize the relevant portions in order to make your comparison to the current case you found).
· Failing to proofread.
· Over reliance on spellcheck and grammar check.
· Not providing page citations to the text at the end of a sentence.
· First person personal pronouns (I/We)—you are not being asked for an opinion. Rather, you are providing an assessment of the legal issues based upon research.
· Using colloquialisms or clichés (informal language).
· Submitting the paper in the wrong format, resulting in a zero. Faculty should not have to chase university level students to ensure a paper can be opened and read.
· Failing to leave enough time to submit via Blackboard/Ulearn
· Receiving a 0 because of failure to follow basic instructions.