Essay Sample on Equality in America

Imagine a country that has been fighting for freedom only to succumb to the very injustice it resisted. Equality, the status of being equal, is something the United States has been endeavoring for since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, still to this day, the United States has not achieved equality among all genders and races. The United States has not reached full equality due to the constant discriminatory acts based upon certain attributes, which have led to the inequality of races and genders.

The United States of America is extremely biased in the sense of racial justice. The Korematsu v. The United States case was a case brought to court due to a racially motivated choice by the United States government. Six months after Pearl Harbor, they made the choice to only put all Japanese citizens in internment camps. For instance, in the case of Korematsu v. The United States, the text states, “To cast this case into outlines of racial prejudice, without reference to the real military dangers which were presented, merely confuses the issue.” (Document D). The Supreme Court’s opinion proves the injustice of the Japanese internment camps because the United States is solely discriminating against Japanese citizens. The United States claimed that it was due to the fact they were encountering war with the Japanese, but they were also at war with Germany. This begs the question of why the United States didn’t put German citizens in internment camps. The United States immediately suspected the Japanese people due to them being a new racial group in America. The racial antagonism shown by the Supreme Court displays how there has been development in creating equality, but there is still a long way to go.

The gender inequality displayed by the government shows the difference in rights between men and women. Women’s suffrage has been around since the middle of the twentieth century, and due to these acts, an amendment has been granted. In addition, the 19th amendment states, “The rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” (Document C). Many women were extremely excited by this amendment, but soon after, they will be facing discrimination once again, even despite this amendment claiming gender equality. For instance, Susan B. Anthony states, “The women, dissatisfied as they are with this form of government, that enforces taxation without representation, -that compels them to obey laws to which they have never given their consent… that robs them.” (Document B). Susan B. Anthony’s words display a clear separation between women’s and men’s rights and a direct violation of the Declaration of Independence, which proves there is not equality amongst all genders. During this time period, men had many more rights than women, such as the right to vote, which proves the government's predilection against women’s rights. 

Due to continual discriminatory behaviors based on particular characteristics, the United States of America has not yet achieved full equality, resulting in racial and gender inequality. The inequitable actions by the Supreme Court in the court case, Korematsu v. The United States has shown the gap in racial acceptance by the Supreme Court, while the violations of the Declaration of Independence have proved the weighted thoughts of the American government in favor of men's superiority. The idea of equality is one that is practically impossible to achieve, and even though America has developed since its founding, they still have a great path to conquer.