How Does This Generation Fight For Freedom?

The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” (Jefferson). As the United States was built with an emphasis on equality for all citizens, it is increasingly pertinent to ensure that these values are retained. Throughout this country’s history, many conflicts regarding the ultimate equality of all citizens have resulted in the people themselves resisting restrictive laws. Protests, when peaceful, have always had a positive effect on retaining the freedoms promised by the Declaration of Independence. In order to pass on these values, American children are taught about those who chose to resist. Henry David Thoreau, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Susan B. Anthony are only a few of

250 years of enslavement, sixty years of jim crow laws, 90 years of separate but equal clause. This country is far from acheiveing racial equality. Nearly of the top 1% are white. A black person makes less than a dollar in mininum wage compared to a white person. “Until we figure for our aggravating lesson debts, america will never make entire.”

We live in a generation that is run by our own people’s voices and influences. None of this would be possible without the human rights that everyone in America is granted. Without these human rights, we would not have the opportunity to learn for ourselves and express our point of view so that does not cause our generation to have one homogenous mindset that doesn’t allow individual thoughts, but rather a mindset

Take a look around you. Imagine the world now, then again from fifty to a hundred and fifty years ago. Much has changed and much has stayed the same. Plenty of issues that were prevalent so long ago are still lingering around today such as racism, discrimination, white supremacy. We fight constant battles fighting these issues whether its educating others or defending ourselves from it. It was only one hundred and one years ago that we saw D.W. Griffiths Birth of a Nation hit the silver screens. This film changed America, it set a different tone and look for people of color, more specifically black Americans.

Society has stigmatized this idea of “Freedom” and its significance. It has limited minorities from their individual and equal rights. Minorities have been held back from any sort of real life. They were not given the same opportunities when it came to jobs and school. Chief Joseph once said, “The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights.” Many began to realize that they were not being given the same opportunities and the same rights. People began to take action and fight for what they deserve. Action began in the early 18th century with amazing advocates such as, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass. These people inspired life changing movements that helped build new laws and helped

I interviewed my grandparents, Janet and Earl Patterson, for this exploration. The questions that I asked where, ‘Why do you think the Civil Rights Act had to happen, and Can you tell a bit about any experiences you have had with this?’ Mrs. Patterson had a lot to say about her beliefs of why the Civil Rights Act had to happen, which made me really think about how lucky I am to live in the time that I live in. They both had a heartbreaking story about something that was done wrong to someone they knew before the Civil Rights Act, or something that happened to them even after it was put in effect. Their statements are proof enough of reasons why in our schools, we should teach more about the Civil Rights Act to make sure something like that does not repeat itself.

As African Americans, we came along way from abolishing slavery, to obtaining equal rights like other citizens of the United States. As we all know Abraham Lincoln granted us the Emancipation Proclamation and the Constitution gives all equal rights no matter our race, sex, or religion and same with the right to vote. But it seems like no Constitutional papers will get us to get treated equally: we still get treated indifferently and are deprived of such things that we are entitled to just because we happen to be of the Negro race. We can all make a change though, you the younger generation of African Americans can help improve the conditions of our community. One way is if we all improve ourselves, instead of putting our hands to do labor work, we put skill and brains into the common occupations of life. We could prove we are a big part of this society and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

"Freedom and equality are inherent rights in the United States: therefore, I encourage young people to take on the task by standing up and speaking out on behalf of people denied those rights. We have not yet finished the job of making our country whole”

We often hear that if we do not remember history we are doomed to repeat it. Events such as Sojourner Truth’s speech are history and tell how things were done in a day when we as a people had less enlightened thoughts about freedom. In Truth's speech, she not only mentions slavery under southern men due to her race, but also the slavery she is put under due to being a woman. In her speech, she goes through how she is as equal as men aside from the social status women had. Children need to learn that there was a time not everyone had equal freedoms. For if they don’t know what inequality looked like back then how will

One of the most important questions in my generation was “Can racial and economic justice be

it hurts me to think that so many veterans who fight for our freedom and put their lives on the line are homeless when they return home. they give up everything for their country but yet their country gives them nothing in return. they are easily given combat boots and dog tags while leaving but coming back they get a street corner and some cardboard boxes. they gave us our freedom so why aren't we giving them shelter, respect, and love?

Many Americans have the good fortune to be brought up believing that they can trust their governmental system. Unfortunately, the American Dream of an unbiased judicial, executive, and legislative branch cannot be equally accessed by all Americans. Some parents find it is necessary to dispel the myth of the American Dream for their children, to protect their young minds from future mental strife and in some cases to protect their bodies from future physical harm. This is a reality in our country today. In the increasingly tense political and social environment corruption festers and bad politics reign. While the situation may seem hopeless, it is important to realize that the struggle to ensure equal rights for all has been a cause that countless people have been committed to throughout the history of our country. They have dreamt and continue to dream of a better future, one in which race and economic status do not define a child’s potential. People have been fighting for equal treatment since nearly the founding of the nation- first to end slavery, then to stop the legal and social practice of segregation. While discovering its point of origin is unlikely, it is possible to examine the time frame which saw the struggle for equality fully developed into the Civil Rights Movement. The movement reached its peak in the 1950s and 1960s with significant figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, and Thurgood Marshal.

Now, slavery is a thing of the past, but the burden it created is still with us today. By this, I mean segregation and racism is now a big deal that branched from slavery. There are many peaceful protests from groups that feel they are segregated. On the other hand, there are many hate filled riots that cause more devastation than what they are protesting against. I feel a way to improve America

In the first place, it should be common knowledge that everyone deserves to be treated equally. When one is born, we are automatically entitled to certain rights, for we are all built the same way internally. We have the same organs, the same brain, and quite frankly the same external parts as well. Things may differ in size and color, but essentially it is the same. The majority of human beings have similar thoughts, needs, and dreams. Everyone should be able to posses the absence of stigma and equal opportunities to other human beings. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and people are neglected their basic birth rights. We have come a long way in today’s times compared to where we used to be but people are still discriminated against. In the civil war things were very different from today, an average African-American was shrouded in inappropriate assumptions about their character.

In 1968 and 1865 Lincoln and Kennedy were trying to persuade Americans that the country is better united. Throughout America’s history I believe that a common goal was to build relations among the diverse nation. I think that Lincoln and Kennedy wanted to make a change because they saw the difference and unfair circumstances. However there has not been a lot that has changed. I believe a lot of people want to get rid of racism but a lot of people haven’t made an honest effort to make change. However I also think that many people do not know how to acquire change. Recognizing racial injustice can help create various steps toward racial equality in America’s society. When we as a society speak explicitly about race, we will accept everything that make us different from one another.