Social Movements and Social Balance

Ever since the its Revolution, the USA has devoted itself into the suppression of inequalities and the protection of unalienable rights... or at least that's what is written. Truly, the USA hasn't always been in favour of the broadening Civil and Voting rights for all citizens. This circomstance has prevented millions and millions of people from voting and participating in the democratic purpose they were meant to be part of. Counterwise, the political history records of the country have even openly shown apathy towards people in distress.

What was the process in the direction of more equality in the USA? (VOTING AND CIVIL RIGHTS! LET'S GOOO!)

While, voting rights may be an evidence to many of us, it isn't the reality that everyone is experiencing in life. Are free and fair elections a part of the democratic process? Yes. Still, there is an act of Congress that tacitly makes disenfranchisement legal. Thus, after the Civil War southerners were stripped from their voting rights until the restoration of their function. Nowadays, felons can lose their right to vote in a few states. Non-Caucasian citizens face intimidation at voting polls (e.g: questions to "prove" American citizenship, literacy tests or grandfather clause). The discrepancy of the constitution and the way it is being applied is a reflection of the extensive process to reach the goal of the Civil Rights in 1964 and the voting rights in 1965.

The cause defended by the Yankees during the Civil War was a seed that bore the fruit of the Reconstruction Amendments.

After World War 1, with more awareness, rights to vote were given to the Native Americans in 1924.

In the Cold War, the Korean (1950-1953)

and Vietnamese War (1955-1975) period , the USA had to counter Communism by promoting itself as a democratic country. To resolve disputes and proxy wars that were occurring in the Asian continent and conceal past mistakes like the Chines Exclusion Act, or even concentration camps for Japanese-American people, more rights were given to the Asian-American community. As a newly most powerful country at that time, the USA wasn't consistent in its actions.

Activism in the political system of America has saved lives and generations of people who were bound to live in oppression. Yet, today some people are stripped of their rights of voting and a freedom in general. Can any bill be passed without the political system and the people confronting each other through campaigns and activism?

See you soon for the next article! Stay tuned!!