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1980s – Social Concerns

1980s – Social Concerns. AIDS. • AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) destroys immune system, makes body prone to infections, cancer 1980s, pandemic; increasing concern over prevention, cure. <1987 AIDS Quilt. Abortion. 1980s, battle intensifies – pro-life v . pro-choice

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1980s – Social Concerns

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  1. 1980s – Social Concerns

  2. AIDS •AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) • destroys immune system, makes body prone to infections, cancer • 1980s, pandemic; increasing concern over prevention, cure <1987 AIDS Quilt

  3. Abortion • 1980s, battle intensifies – pro-life v. pro-choice • 1989 - Webster v. Reproductive Health Care Services - Supreme Court rules states may place restrictions on abortion

  4. Drug Abuse • First Lady Nancy Reagan has “Just say no!” to drugs campaign • Others believed legalizing drugs would diminish power of the drug dealers • Request for treatment facilities

  5. Education • 1983 commission: A Nation at Risk report revealed U.S. students lagged behind students in other industrialized nations • Commission called for: • Longer school days • More homework • Extended school year • Increased pay and merit raises for teachers • Greater emphasis on core courses • “America 2000” – April 1991, Bush initiative by 2000 plans to increase graduation rates and state testing scores, decrease violence on school grounds

  6. The Urban Crisis • Cities deteriorate as wealthy move to suburbs; businesses follow • 1992 riots in LA after officers taped beating Rodney King acquitted

  7. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) • ERA not ratified by 1982 (got 35 states, needed 38) • Reagan names 2 women to cabinet in 1983 (Elizabeth Dole and Margaret Heckler) • 1992 – 47 House members female (92 today)

  8. Inequality for Women • Women earned $.75 / man $1.00 • 31% of female heads of household lived in poverty • Women sought pay equity, maternity leaves, job sharing; some employers comply • Reagan sharply cut budget for daycare

  9. African Americans • 1980s, political strides, but economic progress suffered • L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia, first African-American governor • Reverend Jesse Jackson (1984 / 1988) runs for Democratic presidential nomination • Supreme Court limits affirmative action in Richmond v. J.A. Croson Company

  10. Latinos • Latinos fastest growing minority (9% in 1990) • 1990 - Bush names Dr. Antonia CoelloNovellosurgeon general • Bilingual Education Act of 1968 and 1975 were challenged – fear that assimilation would take longer

  11. Native Americans • Reagan cut aid to Native Americans for health and education • US Supreme Court said that states could not tax or regulate Indian activities on tribal land – Bryan v. Itasca County (1976) • Gambling casinos begin to open, bringing in additional funds

  12. Gay Rights • Movement suffers setbacks from conservative opposition and AIDS crisis • Late 1980s new surge of activism, calls for end to discrimination • By 1993, seven states and 110 communities outlawed anti-gay discrimination 1980 – Democratic Convention, supported gay rights (Vito Russo)

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