Egalitarian is to relate or believe in the principle to which people are equal, and deserve equal rights and opportunities (Oxford Dictionary, n.d.). This is a value that has been an on going issue, positive and negative. Ideally, this value consists of an open society that would treat everyone equally, regardless of differences that many separate one another, such as cultural, religion, or race. Through changes in the past, some of the most known instances of equality was the civil rights movement, which was for African Americans to have equal access to and opportunities for the basic privileges and rights of U.S. citizenship (Civil Rights Movement: An Overview, n.d.). Although slavery had been abolished in 1863, by President Lincoln, who believed African Americans had the right to improve their condition in society and to enjoy the “fruits of their labor.” (Pruitt, 2012.). But he also believed that African Americans did not have the right to vote, to sever on juries or to hold office, or intermarry with whites (Pruitt, 2012.). At first, it may seem that abolishing slavery made those who were enslaved equal, but in fact they were not, and were left in limbo for over 100 years. Even now, there are still many who have a hard time with the concept of equality, which is a top traditional core value of America. When survival seems uncertain, cultural diversity seems to bring out the worst in people, which again, goes back to fear, and feel more
Egalitarian is to relate or believe in the principle to which people are equal, and deserve equal rights and opportunities (Oxford Dictionary, n.d.). This is a value that has been an on going issue, positive and negative. Ideally, this value consists of an open society that would treat everyone equally, regardless of differences that many separate one another, such as cultural, religion, or race. Through changes in the past, some of the most known instances of equality was the civil rights movement, which was for African Americans to have equal access to and opportunities for the basic privileges and rights of U.S. citizenship (Civil Rights Movement: An Overview, n.d.). Although slavery had been abolished in 1863, by President Lincoln, who believed African Americans had the right to improve their condition in society and to enjoy the “fruits of their labor.” (Pruitt, 2012.). But he also believed that African Americans did not have the right to vote, to sever on juries or to hold office, or intermarry with whites (Pruitt, 2012.). At first, it may seem that abolishing slavery made those who were enslaved equal, but in fact they were not, and were left in limbo for over 100 years. Even now, there are still many who have a hard time with the concept of equality, which is a top traditional core value of America. When survival seems uncertain, cultural diversity seems to bring out the worst in people, which again, goes back to fear, and feel more