How are civil rights different from civil liberties?

Civil rights focus on the principle of equality and the obligation of the government to ensure that individuals are treated equally under the law. They address issues such as discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or other characteristics, and are aimed at ensuring that all individuals have the same rights and protections afforded by the law. For instance, civil rights initiatives seek to eliminate barriers that prevent individuals from exercising their rights in areas like voting, education, and employment.

On the other hand, civil liberties refer to basic freedoms that are guaranteed to individuals, typically outlined in the Constitution, such as the right to free speech, the right to privacy, and the right to due process. These liberties protect individuals from government overreach and ensure that people can live freely without unwarranted interference.

Thus, the correct choice distinctly highlights that civil rights are concerned with ensuring equal treatment under the law, while civil liberties are about safeguarding individual freedoms. This differentiation aligns with the foundational principles of democracy, where the government must not only protect freedoms but also actively promote equality among its citizens.