chapter 5

1.)     I believe the government does all that they can to reduce instances of racial discrimination. Granted the government cannot always prevent such instances. I feel no matter their efforts there will always be bias against peoples of a different race, simply because a lot of people within our nation do not understand another races ways or are ignorant to their culture and beliefs. The lack of knowledge and comprehension produces assumptions about different races and that is wrong. With the Civil Rights Movement, many races, not only African Americans, gained more rights and eventually equal liberties in the United States. There will always be bigotry and racial discrimination no matter what the government does to aid in the equal rights of races in the United States. This is a sad statement, but a true one.

2.)    Gender discrimination is still an issue in today’s society. Women have made great progress to obtain the right to be on an equal playing field with men; however, there is much room for improvement. Before the Women’s Suffrage Movement, women weren’t even allowed to vote, but thanks to strong women with big voices we now have that right.  In the workplace however, not always do women get the same pay, benefits, or positions that a male co-worker would. I have witnessed many women who hold the same position as male counterparts yet they do not receive the same pay or respect. I do not believe this is right and believe that government should make more of an effort to equalize pay for women in the workplace.

3.)    Discrimination against sexual orientation is a hot topic in our government today. I do not believe that the government has done very much to aid in the equal rights of people with sexual orientations other than heterosexual. Homosexual acts are still even considered illegal in some states and are only protected by the privacy act, which means a gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. couple can only show affection in the privacy of their own home. I feel that a lot of this issue comes back to separation of church and state. I believe that if our government truly practiced separation of church and state that people of the homosexual or bisexual orientation would have equal rights (i.e. right to be married and show affection in public). Our leaders and law makers let their Christian faith and values influence their opinions when making such laws. This should not happen and should not be allowed to happen, and yet it does. Our nation stands upon equality for all. Yet, our government turns around makes it illegal for two persons of the same sex  (American citizens) that love each other to get married because of their religion doesn’t agree with it. If they let their religion influence the laws that are passed how can we say that they practice and follow the establishment clause? How does our government not see that this is unconstitutional?  How is there are equal rights for all?  How can you say that we have separation of church and state when clearly one specific religion influences our politicians and the laws that they pass? So in conclusion, I feel that the government has done very little to support or gain equal rights for all sexual orientations. I further believe that it is time for our government to step-up to the plate, stop discriminating, and do something about this issue.