Political Science

According to the 1776-Declaration of Independence, men are created equal and must have equal opportunity with life, liberty and happiness. With this in mind comes the importance for civil rights movements in our times. Equality of opportunity is sought by all human regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, color, sex, age, or religion. Equality also greatly determines ones happiness and freedom in life.

Racial discrimination among black Americans represents most common form of inequality in our times. These people suffered from great injustice for many years. Color and national origin acted as a great wall that separated the whole American nation. Many campaigns and movements were accomplished to knock down this prejudice between white and black Americans. Because of the 13th Amendment in 1865, slavery is banned yet it did not give blacks complete equality. Successfully, Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited employment and property discrimination, thereby providing total freedom among the black Americans. Another usual discrimination includes womens rights. Because of male domineering society, many females receive unequal opportunities and privileges in terms of community roles, employment among others.

During colonial times, men were always considered superior and have greater power over the women. Patriarchal families are also evident in the societies making a negative output on women. Important policies imparted a great modification on women rights, such as 19th Amendment in 1920 and Equal Pay Act of 1963.

Civil right movements emerged because people need to protect themselves and their rights. This served the marginalized groups and those who are too weak to defend for themselves. As times goes, the history of civil rights movement for Blacks and women continuously changed for the better, by addressing the specific issues that come out. Laws for them to protect them at work for example have to be address in our times.