Timeline...July 4, 1776, Thirteen American colonies sign the Declaration of Independence which states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The next 87 years 'Black' people were held in servitude "White' slave owners didn't give a rat's ass about Black 's pursuit of happiness; so much for 'unalienable Rights!;
In 1863, President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation giving Black slaves freedom to pursue that life, liberty and happiness; unalienable Rights...finally. However, as the saying goes; "you shit your friends and I'll shit my friends but let's don't shit one another.' No Nation can legislate appreciation or love.
In 1920, one hundred forty-four years after the Declaration of Independence, which purported all those wonderful freedoms i.e., equality; American women were permitted the 'right' to vote. Today, we still uncover inequality in gender salary-pay.
In 1965, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, which was to address the voting disenfranchising of American minorities. Those (specified) minorities have that voting right this year 2013, however there is a strong movement by one political faction to make that voting right difficult through voter identification cards and travel-distances to polls in many of the economically deprived regions. Many of our Nation's people come together to circumvent; they establish roadblocks to lessen the implementation of some laws, which are contrary to a philosophy or attitude. In this case 'it' is an attitude of prejudice fearing status loss.
September 16, 2013, the new Miss America 2014, was crowned. Her name is Nina Davulure. Miss Davulure is Indian-American, if you please. Of course, she is an American citizen. Within hours of her crowning achievement the American social-media twitters were flying. Thousands of tweets suggested that perhaps Nina Davulure was overstepping her 'unalienable rights.' How dare she claim the title, Miss America. As one tweet so eloquently stated, "How the fu#k does a foreigner win Miss America?" Here's another, "She's an Arab." Many times, I notice today's tweets are an indictment of the American education system and the parenting impact!
Unfortunately, many Americans believe 'equality-rights' should only be bestowed upon those who 'look, worship and think as they.'
Many people really think that Jesus Christ has blue eyes and long flowing light-brown hair. This logic would refute the physical DNA traits of a Middle Easterner.
As suggested by many sociologist, 'people maintain their self-esteem,' in part, by identifying with groups and believing that their group is better than any other group.(ethnocentrism). It becomes necessary to put those 'other groups' down thus elevating their group's status and esteem. Therein lies one of the most significant forces of prejudice, which often times manifests into discrimination and racism.
With regards to time lines addressing the prejudice issues, Christian-Americans can research 'another' old document; The Holy Bible...
Acts 10:34-35--So Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality." This means 'White' folks and Americans are NOT HIS favorite people; no one 'race' is preferred by God over another Race. Matthew 7:1-- Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount..."Judge not that you be judged." A grandiose staple claimed by many religions but actually heeded by few believers.
It appears to be a reasonable conclusion that man will break his own laws and the laws of God and reject his fellow man as he attempts to keep his self-esteem group identity.
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