lip. 1  Anatomy a. Either of two fleshy structures that surround the opening of the mouth in humans and other mammals. b. In humans, the smooth brownish to reddish border of the lip. 2  A structure or part that encircles or bounds an orifice, as: a. Anatomy A labium. b. The margin of flesh around a wound. c.
Civil liberties concern basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed -- either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts and lawmakers. Civil liberties include: 1  Freedom of speech. 2  The right to privacy. 3  The right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home. 4  The right to a fair court trial.
The Context of Civil Rights. Civil liberties refer to the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, such as the freedom of speech or religion. Civil rights protect all persons from discrimination both by the government and other individuals. Initially, African Americans were the focus of civil rights protections, but the protections have expanded to cover other racial and ethnic groups, women, the elderly, the disabled, and gays and lesbians. African Americans. The most divisive civil rights issue with the greatest long-term impact has been slavery and its legacy. Slave labor was critical to the economy in America, particularly in the South, where slaves worked on plantations but also in many parts of the service economy (as carpenters, bakers, weavers, and so on).