Inequality In The United States

All through America’s history, the United States has struggled with many issues. America has dealt with the issue of inequality for over a century. The United States has always been said to be a free country, however, many instances in our history exploit racial and gender inequality. Many people have faced inequality in America due to racism and different laws and policies that negatively affect certain populations. The issue of inequality in America really came to light during the time of slavery. Early European settlers in America traveled to Africa and came back to America with slaves. These Africans were brought to America in ships with terrible conditions. The ships were overcrowded with slaves, and they had limited personal space.
Slaves were not given a place to use the restroom, and they were given small amounts of food and water. Many slaves tried to kill themselves because the conditions were so terrible. Slaves would try to starve themselves, however; the ship crew would notice and forcefully feed the slaves or torture them until they ate. During the time of slavery, America had many issues with inequality. These slaves did not have constitutional rights like other Americans, and they were definitely not free. Inequality in America did not end after slavery was abolished in 1865. African Americans were still restricted from many different rights after they were freed. Northern politicians tried their best to give African Americans the same rights that other white men had. By 1870, African Americans were given the right to vote. Although African Americans started receiving new rights, there were still many limitations. The Southern society was never happy with freeing slaves, and many people believed in White Supremacy. Laws were set up by Southern politicians in order to restrict the rights of black people. In order for African Americans to vote, they had to pass a literacy test that was nearly impossible. African Americans almost always failed these tests considering they were not able to learn how to read or write during slavery. The KKK was organized during this time period. Angry white southerners would intimidate African Americans through violence and threats. This organization restricted the rights of many of the freed slaves since they were scared for their lives. The inequality for African Americans in the late 1800’s was so severe that many freed slaves wanted to move north. The Great Migration refers to African Americans migrating to the North during this time period. Although many freed slaves moved to the North for better treatment, many of the freed slaves did not have enough money to move. African Americans struggled to find jobs during this time period due to their lack of education, and the discrimination in the South. Southern Politicians found many loopholes in the constitution in order to restrict the rights of African Americans. In 1896, the South adopted a new law of “Separate but Equal.” This law was unfair to African Americans. African American facilities such as restrooms, schools, and supplies were not equal to the Whites facilities. In the early 1900’s, African Americans were determined to reach equality in America. W.E.B. Dubois was a black activist in the North who wanted to seek racial equality in all forms. He gathered many black activists and formed the organization called the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People. This organization would seek to find equality in America for African Americans. America also faced the issues of inequality for women during this time period. Often times we forget about the inequalities that women faced, however; women dealt with many equality issues. Women faced inequalities such as the lack of political representation, occupational segregation, gender pay gaps, and unequal household labor. The traditional role of women in America before the feminist movement consisted of childcare and household responsibilities. Women did not participate in politics resulting in their lack of say in government policies. These inequalities that women dealt with impacted many women. Groups of women who were unmarried, widows, and lesbians were unable to be independent due to their traditional roles and the laws and polices that were set up during this time period. Much like the civil rights movement for African Americans, women set up feminist organizations in order to achieve equality. Women struggled for equality throughout the mid 1900’s, however; women faced different situations that helped the advancement of women’s equality. During the World Wars, women were forced to enter the labor force since their husband was usually drafted into the war. Women took on responsibilities of the household responsibilities, and they took on the responsibility providing the income during the wars. The American Society started to become aware of the abilities that women processed during these times. Women continued to be apart of the workforce in America after the Second World War. Many women refused to give up their job positions after the men returned from the war, however; they usually received less pay than men. Women were also not given the same occupation opportunities. They often received jobs that received less pay and jobs that consisted of household responsibilities. Women faced many inequalities in America during this time period. Japanese Americans were also victims of racial inequality. Japanese Americans faced these inequalities after the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War 2. Franklin Roosevelt made an executive order of the internment of Japanese Americans on February 19, 1942. Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps where they were stripped of their rights. Military bases held Japanese Americans in camps where they were treated poorly. Many Japanese Americans died in these camps set up by the American government. Japanese Americans were in these camps for years until General Henry Pratt issued the Proclamation number twenty-one declaring the return of Japanese American evacuees. Japanese Americans struggled to return to their normal lives after the internment. In 1988, Ronald Regan issued a recompense of 20,000 dollars to Japanese Americans. This was America’s way to apologize for the inequality that Japanese Americans received. African Americans continued to face inequalities after World War 2.
The “Separate but Equal” law was declared unconstitutional in 1954 due to the Brown v Board of Education court case. The integration of blacks and whites became a violent issue during this time. The Southern Society was not happy with the integration. The Ku Klux Klan began to participate in more violent crimes on black citizens. The KKK organized the bombing of a Birmingham church resulting in the death of four black children. Many non-violent protests by African Americans resulted in death or imprisonment. Southern police forces brutally broke up these protests by inhumane punishment. Educational institutions and other white facilities rebelled against the integration of black and white people. Many schools would not allow black people into their institution. Racist white officials treated the African Americans who were admitted into White Institutions were treated poorly. White facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services would often times not serve black
citizens. The advancement of African American racial equality has progressed throughout the century. Racial inequality began with the enslavement of African Americans. America completely diminished the rights of Africans. Slaves were not entitled to constitutional rights that White Americans had. The quality of life that African Americans were subjected to was completely unfair and inhumane. Even after the abolishment of slavery, African Americans were still faced with many inequalities due to the racist Southern society. Southern Democratic leaders tainted constitutional laws that diminished the advancement of racial equalities. These loopholes consisted of different laws and policies that restricted African American rights. Jim Crowe Laws such as poll taxes, literacy test, and intimidation kept African Americans from voting. These laws also restricted the advancement of African Americans education. Secondary books and resources were handed down to African American schools. Due to African American activists seeking civil rights, equality began to advance. Non-violent protests and sit-ins exposed the racist behavior of the Southern Society. Northern Republicans pushed for equality. The Brown v Board of Education eliminated the segregation of Blacks and Whites. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminated the state restriction laws held for African Americans. Since these laws have occurred, the equality of for African Americans has greatly inclined. Although Japanese Americans faced injustice for a few years, they are still apart of America’s issue of inequality. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the federal government did not trust Japanese Americans. Japanese Americans faced harsh conditions in internment camps that resulted in many deaths. These Japanese Americans were stripped of their constitutional rights even though they were American Citizens. They struggled with life after being held in internment camps, and were not recompensed until 1988. After the war, many people were still skeptical of Japanese American spies, however, America has gained their trust with Japanese Americans and Japan. The advancement of gender equality has also progressed throughout the century. Laws and polices restricted the independence of women for many years. These restrictions made it impossible for women to be independent. Women were not allowed to participate in politics, they could not own their property, and they were unable to receive their own income. Women activists pushed for voting rights. By 1910, few western states granted women the right to vote. Southern and Eastern still prohibited woman’s suffrage. Some states in the East allowed partial suffrage for women. Partial suffrage restricted women from voting in major voting elections. The 19th amendment granted woman the right to vote in 1920. Women still faced occupational inequalities in the mid 1900’s because of their traditional role in society, and their inability to perform as well as men in the workforce. Women’s performance in the workforce during the World Wars advanced their equality in society. Women in today’s society no longer acquire these restrictions, and they equally participate in job opportunities and political representation. Overall, America has struggled with racial and gender inequality throughout the course of our history.
It is extremely ironic that America takes pride in being a “free” country. Throughout America’s history we have stripped different races and gender from their constitutional rights. Without African American Activists and Feminists groups, America could possibly still live in a society with inequality. Although America’s history is much consumed of inequality, America has advanced tremendously in equality. Racial and gender discrimination has nearly vanished from society with a few exceptions. In the near the future, America will obtain a society without racial and gender
inequality.