Document 5.15.1: Excerpts from of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Titles VI and VII 

For the future of affirmative action policy, Titles VI and VII proved to be of central importance, a pillar around which future legislation would be crafted.

Title VI, Sec. 601. No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal  financial assistance.

Title VII, Sec. 703. (a) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to…discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation [pay], terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion or national origin.
Source: Laws of the 88^th Congress, 2^nd Session (July 2, 1964): 301