Equal Justice Under Law Civil Rights Equal Justice Under Law

“all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell, Animal Farm “all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell, Animal Farm

Diversity and Discrimination in American Society Heterogeneous Society – being made of different race or kind “We the People of the United States” are a very heterogeneous group. Historically America has been dominantly white. Things are changing.

Immigration of other groups of people are changing the ethnic make up of the country. 1790 - America was 80% white and 20% African American. 2010 – America looks like this

12.6% African American 16.3% Hispanic origin 3.2% Asian Americans 2.9% Multiracial 72.4% White 2010 Census

Race Based Discrimination America has been slow to adjust to racial change. One group in particular has helped America to adjust to such changes. African Americans.

African Americans constitute the third largest minority group…approx African Americans constitute the third largest minority group…approx. 40 million African Americans have been the victims of consistent and deliberate unjust treatment. Most of the gains in translating the Constitution’s guarantees of equality into reality for all persons have come from the African Americans.

Other Groups and Discrimination Native Americans – 2.8 million live in America, 1/3 still live on reservations. The only group that managed by the Federal Government! Think for a moment about what was once American policy toward this group in1865- eradication!

Hispanic Americans Mexican Americans: 24 million are from or can trace their linage to Mexico. Puerto Ricans: 3 million have called the American mainland home. Cuban Americans: 1 million, who have fled Cuba to escape Fidel Castro’s government Central and South Americans: Over 3 million have come as refugees to the U.S.

Asian Americans 1850 – 60’s Chinese laborers were brought over to work our mines and our railroads. Coolie Labor. This practice ended in 1882 with the Chinese Exclusion Act. WWII: 120,000 Japanese Americans were placed in concentration camps 14 million today…a very diverse group.

Discrimination against Women Woman’s Suffrage – The last group to win the right to vote, 1920 More than 51% of our population is female. 15% of the 535 seats in Congress are women. 20% of the 7,382 seats in the 50 State legislatures are women. Equal Pay Act of 1963 is still unrealized by women!