Question

Explain the concepts of civil liberties and civil rights. Are they the same or different? Be certain to note where they are articulated in the U.S. Constitution. Is it possible for violations of both civil liberties and civil rights to happen at the same time?   You should use court decisions as examples in your explanation.

Answer 1

Civil rights and civil liberties are two different things although somewhat related.

Civil rights: Civil rights are what safeguard a person from biased treatment and decisions (civil liberties) which can often be made against a person on the basis of their gender, cast, religion, race, sexual orientation etc. For example, it is not my right to own a Mercedes, but it is my right to not be denied a Mercedes if i can afford it just because I am black. Having basic freedom just like others have it and not be discriminated would be my civil right.

Civil liberties: Actions and settings of freedom that are made available by our constitution to everyone as a citizen of the nation like

• The right to free speech
• The right to privacy
• The right to remain silent in a police interrogation
• The right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home
• The right to a fair court trial
• The right to marry
• The right to vote .

They are called civil liberties. Yes, it may happen that civil liberties and civil rights are violated at the same time. For instance, If I am arrested for a crime because it was a racist crime and I am the prime suspect because I am white and rich, and I am not being assigned a lawyer and being tortured to speak something about it . I am loosing my civil liberty to remain silent during an interrogation and I am loosing my right of this because I am white and rich. Civil rights and civil liberties both are violated in this case.