Sunday, September 27, 2015

The Struggle for Equality

Equality. Equality is what America boasts, yet it was not given to all citizens until quite recently. It was only about 145 years ago when African Americans got the right to vote, and it has only been a mere century since women finally obtained their right. History has shown that this word is still new to this country along with many important documents and articles. 

Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers fought for freedom in the famous Declaration of Independence. They assert that "all men are created equal" (Jefferson and Founding Fathers), but they intentionally leave out women, slaves, and minorities. If you are representing your whole country, shouldn't you be including the whole population and not just the white males? This completely contradicts the writers' purpose as they claim to want liberty for all when they actually are only giving it to a select few. In the Declaration of Sentiments, Elizabeth Cady Stanton follows the structure of the Declaration of Independence but adds the word "women" at certain points. She believes her argument is valid and fair as it encompasses all of the mistreated women. Stanton preaches that all women "are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" (Stanton). However, slaves and minorities are yet again forgotten from the argument for civil liberties. 

America has come a long way since these two documents. Today, schools are filled with diversity, companies employ without bias to gender, and voting is a right for everyone to enjoy. Equality is something I can enjoy after the countless wars and riots fought during the nation's rocky past. It has allowed me to go to school and see all the different colors of faces and cultures walking around my community. Even though I'm still part of a minority, I feel right at home and that is all I will ever need.

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