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What is the first amendment?What is the second amendment?What is the third amendment? |
Although the bill of rights were implemented to assure Americans of their rights, this has not always been the case. Often minorities are given these same basic rights or they infringed upon.
The first amendment covers the freedom to speech, religion, press, petition, and to assemble. From history, we know that these principles have not been applied to minority groups. Minority groups in America have been forced to assimilate to the western European lifestyle in every aspect. This still holds true today. Free speech is held true to the grand narrative that America has always been, white people. This is shown through the numerous hate crimes inflicted upon minority groups that have tried voicing their opinion or speaking a different language. Freedom to religion has been given to the extent of Christianity because other religions, or spiritual beliefs have never been included but rather Christianity is enforced. This is shown in hate crimes as well but also in simple 'American' things such as the saying "In God we trust" on the dollar bill and in the Pledge of Allegiance. The rights to petition and assemble have been disregarded when minorities have protested and received police brutality as a result. While the first amendment is important, it has not held true to many groups and this is a major issue. The second amendment has recently been in heavy debates and every person has their own view about it. The important thing to remember about this amendment and minorities, is that minorities are not the problem when discussing gun control or the need for guns. This mentality stems from racism. The third amendment was mainly an issue for colonists and the British. It is not so much a problem anymore and has not been for a while. |