Documenting America in Government Records
From laws and reports to statistics and public programs, government publications offer critical evidence of history in the United States.
Februrary
Black History in Government Records
Have you ever wondered:
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If someone is denied the right to vote because of their race, gender, or disability, who investigates?
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If a federal policy might cause discrimination, who raises the concern? Is it the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? Or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education?
These two agencies are the most well-known when it comes to U.S. civil rights enforcement.
But behind them, there is another longstanding, quiet, yet influential federal body—the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR). For nearly seventy years, it has shaped public discussions on civil rights in America.
How Was the USCCR Established?
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Before that, in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that public school segregation was unconstitutional. However, many states in the South resisted the ruling, delaying implementation or openly defying it.
Congress asked a crucial question: Are American citizens truly enjoying the civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution?
To investigate fairly and independently, the USCCR was set up as an independent, bipartisan fact-finding agency. Originally temporary, it became a permanent institution due to the ongoing need to address civil rights issues.
What Does the USCCR Do?
Unlike courts or enforcement agencies, the USCCR does not judge or punish.
Its focus is investigation, documentation, and public reporting.
Key responsibilities include:
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Investigating complaints of citizens being denied voting rights due to race, color, gender, age, disability, or national origin
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Collecting and analyzing information on discrimination and violations of constitutional equal protection
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Evaluating federal laws and policies for their impact on civil rights
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Serving as a national clearinghouse for civil rights information
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Submitting reports and recommendations to the President and Congress
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Issuing public service announcements to advocate against discrimination and promote equality
In short, it acts as a “watchdog and advisor”—investigating, reporting, and providing evidence to guide policy and legal action.
What Does the USCCR Not Do?
The USCCR does not:
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Hear or adjudicate cases
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Determine legal responsibility
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Issue legally binding orders
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Fine or punish individuals or organizations
However, if someone submits a civil rights complaint, the Commission can direct them to the appropriate government agency for further action.
How Is the USCCR Different from EEOC and OCR?
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EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
Handles workplace discrimination, such as unfair hiring, promotion, or termination. -
OCR (Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education)
Oversees schools and universities to ensure students have equal access to education. -
USCCR (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights)
Does not enforce laws directly. Instead, it investigates, researches, and reports to influence policy and legal change.
Think of it as a national-level “civil rights watchdog and advisor.”
Why Does This Matter to Students?
Students might care about:
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Whether voting rights are restricted
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Whether your campus is fair and accessible
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Whether students with disabilities have equal access to resources
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Whether minority groups face unfair treatment
Reports and data from the USCCR are a key resource for writing papers, conducting research, and understanding social issues.
Through these public resources, you can see:
- How civil rights issues are identified
- How the government records and responds to these issues
- How public information supports democracy and equality
For libraries, the USCCR represents a core value: transparent government investigations and publicly accessible information. Its reports, hearings, and data are essential tools for students, researchers, journalists, and the public to understand how civil rights function in reality—not just on paper.
In February, during the Black History Month, the Kelley Center presents and invites everyone to come and visit our new display featurering the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This display highlights how federal agencies have documented, influenced, and responded to Black experiences throughout U.S. history. It is part of the Kelley Center’s America250@Fondren program.Visit the program webpage to learn more about this program and explore a variety of our on-site exhibits and activities this month.
