I now see that my family’s experience with the Twelve Tribes was part of a larger social problem that anti-discrimination laws have long sought to address: the problem of public discrimination perpetrated by private actors.
Still, my family’s experience of discrimination helped me understand why anti-discrimination laws for businesses are so important.
Public accommodations laws have been on the books since the 19th century; in the 20th century, they served as shields against racial segregation.
Public accommodations laws will most likely face more speech-based challenges.
We shouldn’t underestimate the symbolic power of contesting discrimination in public accommodations.
Persons:
Laws, “
Organizations:
Colorado Anti, Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Creative
Locations:
Colorado