And Justice for All: The United States Commission on Civil Rights and the Continuing Struggle for Freedom in America
Berry, former chair and longest-serving member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, examines the struggle of this body to maintain its independence in monitoring the U.S. government and encouraging the nation to remain true to its ideals of equality. Started in 1957, the commission became the nation’s conscience during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. Although Democratic presidents, including Carter and Clinton, have had their difficulties with the commission, it was Reagan and both presidents Bush who sought to undercut the commission’s independent fact-finding and reporting functions in favor of complete support for their administrations’ policies. Although race, particularly discrimination against blacks, was the initial focus, over time attention shifted to other minorities, as well as women, gays, and the disabled. However, in later years, Berry notes a more politically partisan slant to the commission. She recommends that the commission both refocus on its original commitment and expand its scope to both civil and human rights so that America’s compliance can be placed in the context of international human rights standards to provide some much-needed self-criticism. --Vernon Ford