Mason brought a civil rights action against his employer, the New York Department of Mental Hygiene, after it failed to promote him. His complaint stated that the department had discriminated against him by denying him "the authority, salary, and privileges commensurate with this position." The department filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim for which relief could be granted. The court probably: a. dismissed the case because it lacked venue. b. refused to dismiss the case because Mason had standing to sue. c. dismissed the case because the complaint did not state a claim. d. refused to dismiss the case because the complaint did state a claim.

Which is the best conclusion that can be drawn regarding the status of african-americans in the south in the late 1800s? a) african-americans made tremendous political, social, and economic advancements during the reconstruction era. b) passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the u.s. constitution guaranteed equal status and rights for all african-americans. c) the reconstruction policies enacted by the federal government were highly effective in african-american citizens transition to life after slavery. d) although african-americans had equal rights under federal law they were still economically, politically, and socially inferior to whites in the south during the reconstruction era.