Initial Post:

African Americans have had a long struggle for civil rights over time. Citizens
of African nations were kidnapped, packed into sailing vessels, exported to America,
and sold into a life that destroyed their families, their spirit, and their human dignity
(Loc 4463). The thought of white supremacy and black inferiority was a great issue
that demonstrated clear racism on American culture, as well as American politics.
Slavery was an economic and political issue, not just an ethical one. Banning slavery
was passes and ratified in 1865, but that did not stop the problems. Black codes were
created, limiting the rights of former slaves. An interest group founded in 1910
promoted civil rights for African Americans. In 1965, an executive order was issued
that prohibited discrimination in firms doing business with the government. From
the beginning, African Americans were slaves and then those who were freed, were
stripped of any human rights. Eventually, through protest and hard work, they began
to receive rights that they should have been given in the beginning.
Although African Americans have all the same rights as everyone else, they
still face discrimination today. Within the past few years, the issue of racial
discrimination against African Americans by law enforcement became more public.
We constantly see it on the news. People are being unjustly arrested and murdered
by law enforcement because of the color of their skin. Some people aren't granted
jobs or homes because of the color of their skin. The way we can achieve more
equality in these type of situations is to not ask people for their ethnicity on
applications. For schools, colleges, jobs, homes, or car applications we should not
need to let people know what our race is; it is irrelevant. When it comes to
discrimination from law enforcement, it can become difficult to change because no
one will willingly admit to discrimination. To regulate these type of actions may be
near impossible. Overall, the equality for different races have come a long way, but it
is still a large issue we need to fix in present day. No law can change the hate in
someone's heart. No one is born racist, people are taught to discriminate. So it has to
come from us, society, to show the future generations that the color of your skin does
not matter.

Responses:
Bonita, great job! I definitely agree that Hispanic Americans are greatly
discriminated against, especially when it comes to immigration issues. I believe all
personnel living in the U.S. should be here legally, not just immigrants from Mexico
but from all over the world. The U.S. is only so big, and we only have so many
resources so we need a way to regulate people coming in. But I think Hispanics are
the easiest target for immigration discrimination because they border our country. I
think the U.S. needs to make it a little easier for people to become citizens. If these
individuals have been living here for years and pay taxes, they should be able to
receive citizenship easier. Right now, to become a citizen in the U.S. it takes months
and months, sometimes years, and costs a lot of money. When it comes to the
language barrier, it is difficult living in a country with some many languages. It
would be nice to have one universal language, but I think we need to embrace and

support all languages. We are the "Land of the Free" so why not encourage different
languages and cultures. We should have a law prohibiting the use of foreign language
on legal/official documents.
Sabrena, awesome post. I like how you worded everything. I agree that the main
way to prohibit discrimination against sexual orientation is by a federal law. Many
states have come a long way with this issue, but the best way to make sure it is in
effect nationwide is to enforce a federal law. I think that regardless of a persons'
sexual orientation, they should receive all rights that anyone else has. It still amazes
me that people care so much about other people's lives. It's called privacy for a
reason, and that should absolutely be respected in the workplace. If someone wants
to fight for their country and risk their lives, they shouldn't be punished by their
sexual preference. Overall, great job!
-Victoria