Rights, Responsibilities, and Duties of American Citizenship
(Other Than Voting, Jury Duty, Obedience to Lawful Authority, and Private Property Ownership)
Rights*:
- To bring other family members to the U.S
- To obtain and use an American passport
- To run for a government position
Responsibilities:
- To support the country's legal system
- To take a role in government
- To speak out against any form of injustice
- To respect leaders
- To respect all citizens
- To give others their rights
- To stop oppression
- To speak the truth when witnessing in court
- To be a role model for others
Duties:
- Take a part in the community
- Take a part in charities (even though its not mandatory by law)
- Be a teacher and role model for others
- Speak out and testify in court if you witnessed a crime
Evolution of Rights/Responsibilities/Duties
The rights and responsibilities have evolved a lot over time. For example, in 1776, Catholics, Jews, and Quakers were not allowed to vote. These laws began to relax in 1792. Today, of course, they can all vote. Because of the Naturalization Act in 1790, Asians could not apply for citizenship. Today they can. Only after 1869 could African Americans vote; women got this right in 1919 after the 19th amendment was passed. An example of the evolution of duties and responsibilities is the draft. Until 1973, able men could be forced to do military duties. After that date, however, the U.S discontinued this practice.
Struggle of Minorities
African Americans:
The efforts of African Americans in getting equality are probably the greatest in American history. After fighting a war through 1861-1865 and winning freedom from slavery, African Americans finally attained the right to vote in 1870. Even so, African Americans still faced discrimination in schools, colleges, the workforce, and in the military. Segregation continued until the year 1967. Today, African Americans continue to fight against discrimination.
Women:
Women in America were looked at as man's inferior. They were expected to obediently accept everything (even if something was wrong). They were not allowed to work in many fields, hold political office, or vote. Over time, women rights groups like NWP and NAWSA fought for the right to vote. They finally got it in 1919.
Other Challenges Faced by Minority Groups
Minority groups today face many challenges. The fact is that discrimination still exists. Minorities often have to deal with racism. Moreover, if they are of a different ethnicity, they struggle to keep their culture. Bullying in school, discrimination in the work field and so on are also very prevalent. In my opinion, tolerance for minorities can only be achieved by education. More and more people-women, the poor, the colored-should have an access to a greater education so they can stand up and take a bigger part in their world.
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