Freedom Riders

Freedom Riders

In today’s world, I can compare the deeply rooted hatred of black people in the South during the Civil Rights movement to the issues today concerning gay marriage.  Although they are not identical situations, I can draw many parallels to each of the topics.  During the Civil Rights movement, people of color were discriminated against, separated from whites, and not given the full rights they deserved as American citizens.  This connects to the problems today with gay rights.  In many places in America, gay citizens are not given the rights that they deserve.  For example, gay couples can only get married in six of our fifty states.  This contradicts what our nation was based on; the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

Some citizens today react to gay couples in the same way that other citizens reacted to colored people during the Civil Rights movement.  Protesters with hateful signs can be seen objecting to the advancement of gay rights all over the country.  Many people that disapprove of gay marriage are influenced by their religious beliefs.  This especially shows how America has still failed to separate Church and State in our government.  
Clear lines can be drawn between those who support gay rights and those who don’t.  Not all those in favor of gay rights have to be gay however.  I, for example, am straight but I still think everybody should be able to marry whomever they want to.  I support gay rights because I am a decent human being.  I do not understand how people could hate others so strongly just because of the color of their skin or their sexual orientation.  
This problem affects me because it truly sickens me when I see stories in the news of gay teenagers committing suicide because they were made fun of for being gay, or stories of how yet another state has denied the legalization of gay marriage because the definition of marriage is “between one man and one woman”.  I hope that in future years America can realize the stupid mistake it’s making and finally become an equal country for all.

Parenting

 

Parenting

In today’s society, there are many different parenting methods.  Everybody is raised differently due different cultural, religious, and moral beliefs.  In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus’s beliefs strongly influence his upbringing of Jem and Scout.  For example, Atticus does not discriminate against colored people.  His belief was passed on to Jem and Scout because they don’t discriminate people for their skin color either.  Atticus acts as a father to the children and not just as a “guideline”.  He keeps the children in line and doesn’t let them run wild like some other families in Maycomb.  One example of this is when Scout, Jem, and Dill tried multiple times to interact with the Radleys.  Atticus didn’t let them get into the Radley’s business and he taught them how to act properly.  Also, when Jem cut up Mrs. Dubose’s flowers, Atticus didn’t let Jem get away without any consequences.  He made Jem apologize and do what Mrs. Dubose wanted him to.  Atticus was a very fair parent that raised Jem and Scout properly.
My own parents raised me in a way that could connect to the Finches.  They taught me to treat everyone equally and to be respectful to others.  My parents and I have a trusting relationship, and I can be very open with them.  I think that all parents should teach good morals to their kids but then trust that they’ll follow their guidance.  Freedom should be given to kids while they are growing up, but not so much freedom that they could get themselves into trouble.  Children are very impressionable, and it’s important to show them what is right and wrong at a young age.  
However, many friends of mine have parents that aren’t always fair.  When they ask their parents why they can’t go to the movies or have a sleepover, the answer is usually “Because I said so.”  Other parents are also very strict about things like grades.  If their kids get below a ‘B’ average then there will be consequences.  My parents are not like this at all.  Unless there is a legitimate reason why I can’t go somewhere, I usually have the freedom to do what I want.  Also, they do not care what grades I get as long as I try my hardest and learn new things.  
I hope if I ever have children that I will keep the same level head as my own parents have.  I would have some rules, but I would hopefully trust them to not disobey them when I wasn’t around.  Children can be a handful, but if I ever have kids, I’ll aim to have a good relationship with them.

Race Relations

Race Relations Today.

       There has been a very extensive race relation struggle in our country.  Problems have arisen practically since the beginning of America's foundation.  Issues such as slavery and hate crimes have speckled our history in a way that makes me ashamed of some of America's actions.  Although these race relations have improved drastically, there are still many inequalities.  For example, we just elected our first ever black president in 2008.  It shouldn't have taken so long for someone other than an old white guy to be elected.  Our country's prejudices have held America back, and still impact our lives today. 
       Present day racial struggles are still occurring.  For example, a black man typically makes 74.5 percent of what a white man makes, and a black woman makes just 69.6 percent of the white man's figure.  This statistic demonstrates just one of the racial issues still happening today.  I haven't personally experienced any racist remarks, perhaps due to our diverse school setting.  I am extremely glad that our society has moved past the awful segregation period because many of my friends are not white.  Half of the people in my friend group wouldn't be present if we still had white only schools.  
       Although many racial issues are have been straightened out, there are still people with racist thoughts in certain parts of the country.  I hope to never experience such places in my lifetime because the idea of going back to the race relations we had in the early 1900s sickens me.  The controversial issues today that involve race will hopefully be resolved soon so America can finally have equality for all.

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