According to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination on the basis of color, religion, or race is prohibited in the United States. Subsequent laws also made it illegal for anyone to discriminate or harass others based on such traits as age, disability, and English proficiency. In fact, the United States has specific laws to prevent discrimination based on a variety of factors that includes pregnancy, gender, sex stereotypes, and parental status, among others.
In simple words, you have the right to seek legal assistance from a racial discrimination lawyer if you feel that you are racially targeted based on certain individual characteristics. To understand the concept of discrimination and what you should do to fight against this illegal activity, it is pertinent to understand what constitutes discrimination.
In human social behavior, discrimination is making a distinction and harassing someone based on a certain group, class, or category that the person belongs. Discrimination may involve a variety of setups that can include restricting a person from opportunities and privileges that individuals are entitled to. It can also include harassment from others based on particular traits. Similarly, exclusion of a member from a group or an organization based on irrational and illogical decision-making is also a form of discrimination. Usually, people can tell if they are a victim of discrimination due to the reaction or interaction of other members. If you think that you are wrongfully targeted or you’re psychologically distressed because of the irrational logic of others, you may be a victim of discrimination.
The U.S. government has set up various online portals and assistance hotlines to help victims of discrimination. Since any discriminatory practice is a violation of your civil rights, you can contact the Civil Right Division of the U.S. government to file a complaint against the culprits. Here is a link to the Department of Justice page, which highlights how you may access certain departments to get help.
If you think that you are not sure where to seek help, you may call the Civil Right Division helpline toll free at 855-856-1247. The department also provides language assistance if you feel more comfortable speaking in your native language. If assistance in your particular language is unavailable, ask someone else to assist you to talk to the Civil Right Division.
When to contact the Government and Federal authorities?
If you believe that you are a victim of a hate crime due to your race, religion, color or other characteristics, it is sometimes better to inform the FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigations, before seeking help from the Justice Department. Your FBI field office is trained to initiate inquiries and provide assistance concerning such acts as hate crimes, human trafficking, discriminatory threats, and use of excessive force against someone.
Discrimination in the Workplace
Just as dealing with hate crimes is the top priority of Federal authorities, discrimination in the workplace or stopping someone from gaining employment due to a particular trait is also a serious crime. If you feel that your employer has discriminated against you or you are denied a job as a result of the discrimination, you should immediately contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC requires employees to file a charge of discrimination against the employer before filing a lawsuit.
Remember, a charge of discrimination is a very serious matter. Therefore, you are encouraged to file a report using an online portal and then seek guidance from the EEOC staff member. Such discussions are important to understand your legal rights and determine if you are a target of discrimination. It is necessary to talk to EEOC because a false charge can tarnish your own reputation. While meeting with EEOC staff member is mandatory, filing a formal lawsuit is your own choice. If you decide to pursue the matter, you may contact a reputable employment lawyers in Los Angeles if residing on the west coast. A racial discrimination attorney can guide you on the proper steps and your chances of winning the lawsuit.
A lot of states, counties, and cities have their own fair employment practices agencies to handle cases related to racial discrimination law in the workplace. These FEPA’s are adept in handling your local case as they may provide more protection to workers residing in their municipalities. When you file a case with a local FEPA, they automatically inform EEOC about the proceedings. In fact, FEPA and EEOC can also file a dual charge on your behalf. If you have hired a racial discrimination lawyer, they will usually deal with these agencies on your behalf.
When to hire a racial discrimination lawyer?
If you are still not sure what to do in order to report racial discrimination, it’s better to talk to a racial discrimination attorney as these professionals are trained to deal with simple and complex cases. Your lawyer can offer many benefits such as informing you about your rights and how you should proceed with the case. Mostly, the lawyer will handle the case while keeping you in the loop about the progress of the case.
As discussed, racial discrimination is a very serious crime, which means that you should also understand your responsibilities before charging someone else. Often, individuals make a mistake of charging others without seeking professional assistance. The end result is a tit-for-tat lawsuit that doesn’t help any of the parties. Many of these lawsuits are settled out of court through third-party arbitration. At the end of these lengthy trials, the individual loses more of what they gain.
Instead of enduring such financial and psychological hardships, it’s better to abstain from making a hasty decision. Perhaps, the right thing to do is to consult a reputable attorney. If you live on the West Coast or you’re a victim of workplace discrimination, call West Coast Employment Lawyers. Talk to them about your case or schedule an appointment with them. Please understand that most of these lawyers will provide free of cost consultation, which means that you don’t have to lose anything by taking their advice.
Hiring a lawyer to deal with racial discrimination law also makes sense because you don’t have to deal with the red-tape and waste your time communicating with countless government and law enforcement authorities. Instead, you can focus on your daily life and commitments without wasting financial resources. Try not to listen to the prevailing myths that hiring an attorney can be expensive because most people only relate to their negative experiences based on emotions and wrong judgments.
Discrimination is a grave crime, which has serious repercussions for those who undertake such immoral activities. On the other hand, it is also important for the victim not to accuse others if you’re not sure that the person or entity has discriminated against you. Perhaps, it is better to pick up the phone and talk to someone who has the knowledge and experience dealing with such cases. In fact, you should also not wait for the perpetrator to strike again because unnecessary wait can aggravate the situation. Accordingly, you must seek help as soon as possible. If you are a victim, you will be able to make a more logical decision after getting vital information pertaining to your individual circumstances.