VOA常速英语2014--美国纪念民权法案诞生50周年（在线收听）

50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act Remembered 美国纪念民权法案诞生50周年

WASHINGTON —

A milestone in American history is being remembered this week as the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (July 2, 1964).  The landmark federal legislation outlawed racial discrimination and ended segregation in schools, the workplace and at public accommodations. 

华盛顿 — 本星期美国纪念1964年签署的民权法案50周年，1964年7月2日签署的这个法案是美国历史上的一个里程碑，它取缔了种族歧视，并结束了学校、工作场所以及公共设施的种族隔离。到底是什么原因导致通过标志着美国历史中一个转折点的民权法案呢？

In 1963, Civil rights demonstrations in the U.S. south turned violent.  President John Kennedy called the situation  "a moral crisis".  

1963年拉巴马州伯明翰市。民权示威演变成暴力。约翰.肯尼迪总统称，这种局势是美国的一个道德危机。

"This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every state in the union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety," Kennedy said.

前美国总统说：“这不是教派问题。美国联邦的每个州，每个城市都存在因种族隔离和歧视而导致的困难，在很多城市产生引发了不满趋势，危及公共安全。”

Historical meeting

President Kennedy met civil rights leader Martin Luther King to discuss ending the demonstrations.  The meeting was arranged by Kennedy advisor, Harris Wofford.

肯尼迪总统同民权领袖马丁路德金会面，讨论结束示威。这次会面由肯尼迪的顾问哈里斯·沃福德安排。

"Martin Luther King deliberately said part of what non-violent direct action does is it creates crisis that people in power, whether it is government or corporations or others, they have to listen to," said Wofford.沃福德说：“马丁路德金审慎地说，这场非暴力直接行动能发挥的部分作用，是制造一种危机，让权势者，无论在政府、公司或其他领域，必须要倾听。”

President Kennedy responded in a nationally televised address.

肯尼迪总统在全国电视讲话中做出了回答：

"In too many communities in too many parts of the country wrongs are inflicted on Negro citizens and there are no remedies of law. Unless the Congress acts, their only remedy is the street. I am therefore asking the Congress to enact legislation giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities that are open to the public," he said.

“在我们国家太多的地方，太多的社区，黑人公民的权益受到侵害，却没有法律改变这种情况。除非国会采取行动，否则他们唯一的办法就是走上街头。因此，我要求国会通过法案，给予所有的美国人在所有公共场所享受服务的权利。”

The Civil Rights Act outlaws racial segregation in schools, the workplace and at public accommodations such as restaurants. The legislation faced strong opposition from mostly white southern lawmakers who tried to block its passage.

民权法案取缔了在学校、工作场所、以及餐厅等公共设施的种族隔离。法案遭到大部分来自南方白人议员的强烈反对，他们试图阻止法案的通过。

Right conditions

Harris Wofford said the ongoing demonstrations and President Kennedy's assassination created the conditions for passing the Civil Rights Act.

沃福德说，正在进行的示威抗议，以及肯尼迪总统的遇刺，为民权法案的通过创造了条件。

"I don't think it would have necessarily have passed if he [President Kennedy] had not been killed and a wave of sympathy and understanding sweep the majority of the people in the United States," he said.

他说：“我认为，如果肯尼迪总统没有遇刺身亡，如果没有美国大多数人都表示的同情和理解，那么民权法案就不一定会获得通过。”

July 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law.  Former Congressman Ron Dellums said it is a crowning achievement for so many African Americans.

1964年7月，约翰逊总统签字后，民权法案开始生效。前国会议员戴伦斯说，这是很多非洲裔美国人取得的最高成就：

"The Civil Rights Act was a very significant event in American history.  I maintain it was a time when the people in this country actually bent the political process to their will," said Dellums.

“民权法案在美国历史上是个重要事件。我认为，这是美国人民真正地让政治进程顺从他们意志的时刻。”

Reaping the benefits

Five decades later, Jack Jones reaps the benefits of the anti-discrimination laws. He grew up in the segregated south and was denied opportunities, but went on to run a small nationwide company.

50年过去了，杰克.琼斯享受到反歧视法的好处。他生长在种族隔离的南部，机会被剥夺，但他后来经营了一个全国性的小公司。

"I have absolutely no doubt that the Civil Rights Act changed America.  It changed for all of us, it changed mostly for us, the black people, but it also sought out to make this country a better country," he said.

琼斯说：“毫无疑问，民权法案改变了美国，改变了我们所有人，尤其是改变了黑人，也使我们国家更加美好。”

Activists say the support of so many who demonstrated for freedom and justice in the 1960s helped make the Civil Rights Act a reality and a cornerstone of racial justice.

民权活动人士说，1960年代，很多人参加了为争取自由和正义的抗议示威，是他们的努力使民权法案成为现实，成为种族正义的基石。