Oppression Of Women In The 1960's

Until 1974, a woman could not apply for her own credit card. Until the 1960s, African Americans could be restricted from basic rights based on the color of their skin. Does this sound like liberty and justice for all? These strides in social justice were made recently. It is hard to imagine what life was like for people during America’s burgeoning years. Although some think that burgeoning America was a land of opportunity for all, it was actually an oppressive place for every American, specifically the financially handicapped, women, and ethnic peoples. Though oppression was rampant in burgeoning America, some might argue that white men did not receive maltreatment based on factors they couldn’t control. Women were forced to give up their
Women were barred from serving in the military, and those who managed to become soldiers were pensioned by half after retirement (slideshow). The exclusion of the “weaker sex” and the lack of opportunity for women to prove themselves was apparent in America at this time. Furthermore, the fact that they were pensioned by half showed the obtuse ways of the powers of the colonies and their lack of will to change their prejudiced ways, even when presented with evidence. A woman’s entire life was spent being subordinate to men, first her father, then her husband, and then her children. The lack of flexibility and possibility in a woman’s life was caused by these factors. She was condemned to serve those around her and never got the chance to pursue goals of her own. Although women were involved in their community to some extent, the social expectations of them were still very harmful and eventually lead to the women’s movement of the 20th
Africans were enslaved for 245 years by white people, sometimes even other Africans and ethnic peoples. This period of time was one of the darkest and most oppressive in history. The fact that millions of people were subjected to cruel punishment for years, based only on their skin color, is absolutely unacceptable. Yet, it was law at the time. Also, the enslavement of Africans by Africans is an example of the conditioning of prejudice and self-hatred in the colonies. During the Revolutionary War, African slaves were tricked into serving in the military with the false promise of freedom after the war was over (slideshow). The government was willing to manipulate those who have suffered at their own hands. Furthermore, they had no intention of fulfilling the things they had promised, and were ready to send those who had displayed a huge amount of patriotism back to slavery. Africans could be said to have been the most oppressed during America’s burgeoning years because of their enslavement and the exploitation even after they were