The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson was put in place with certain ideals for America in mind. These ideals stated that “All men are created equal that they are endowed by their creator certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” (412). To insure that these rights were set in motion the declaration also stated that “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it” (412). Even though the Declaration stated “all men” (412) it was limited by race and sex. Does that really mean equality for all? With certain ideals being denied for specific groups of individuals there was not equality among all making ideal
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Davis declares “The Civil Rights Movement was a mass popular movement to secure for African Americans equal access to the opportunities for the basic privileges and rights of U.S citizenship” (Davis). America was moving more toward what the ideal America was thought to be, but still had a long way to go. Even though the movement ended slavery there was still segregation against blacks. James Patterson mentions” Racial Discrimination deprived southern blacks of decent jobs and schools and of elementary rights of citizenship, including voting” (Patterson 1). Whites felt that they were still better than the blacks. Blacks had to live with threats that included violence and lynching. Real America still was not what America was perceived as in the Declaration of Independence. To this day the struggle for equality still …show more content…
Not only among African Americans but other groups as well, such as homosexuals. In the article gay and lesbians written by the leadership conference it illustrates “Unlike race, gender, age, ethnicity or religion, sexual orientation is not a protected characteristic under current civil rights law” (The leadership conference). They are often discriminated against in the workplace and denied jobs just cause of their sexual orientation. The military banned homosexuals from joining the military until Bill Clinton passed what he called a compromise known as the “do not ask do not tell” (Bill Clinton) policy. This policy meant that the military was not allowed to ask recruits their sexual orientation and they should not make it obvious they were gay. If it was found out that they were gay they risked being discharged from the service. They were treated unfairly just because of their sexual orientation. This alone proves that there still was not equality among all men. In Bill Chappell’s article Supreme Court declares same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states points out “Well into the 20th century, many states condemned same-sex intimacy as immoral, and homosexuality was treated as an illness”(Bill Chappell). Recently the country has made a big step towards equality, states can no longer keep homosexuals from getting married. Even though gay marriage has been legalized in all states many religions still opposes it finding it
Davis declares “The Civil Rights Movement was a mass popular movement to secure for African Americans equal access to the opportunities for the basic privileges and rights of U.S citizenship” (Davis). America was moving more toward what the ideal America was thought to be, but still had a long way to go. Even though the movement ended slavery there was still segregation against blacks. James Patterson mentions” Racial Discrimination deprived southern blacks of decent jobs and schools and of elementary rights of citizenship, including voting” (Patterson 1). Whites felt that they were still better than the blacks. Blacks had to live with threats that included violence and lynching. Real America still was not what America was perceived as in the Declaration of Independence. To this day the struggle for equality still …show more content…
Not only among African Americans but other groups as well, such as homosexuals. In the article gay and lesbians written by the leadership conference it illustrates “Unlike race, gender, age, ethnicity or religion, sexual orientation is not a protected characteristic under current civil rights law” (The leadership conference). They are often discriminated against in the workplace and denied jobs just cause of their sexual orientation. The military banned homosexuals from joining the military until Bill Clinton passed what he called a compromise known as the “do not ask do not tell” (Bill Clinton) policy. This policy meant that the military was not allowed to ask recruits their sexual orientation and they should not make it obvious they were gay. If it was found out that they were gay they risked being discharged from the service. They were treated unfairly just because of their sexual orientation. This alone proves that there still was not equality among all men. In Bill Chappell’s article Supreme Court declares same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states points out “Well into the 20th century, many states condemned same-sex intimacy as immoral, and homosexuality was treated as an illness”(Bill Chappell). Recently the country has made a big step towards equality, states can no longer keep homosexuals from getting married. Even though gay marriage has been legalized in all states many religions still opposes it finding it