We love the concept of equality, the idea that "all men are created equal" - the fascinating concepts of freedom and liberation that supposedly founded the United States. However, we historically do not appreciate the implementation of laws, rules and regulations that strive to address the dividing lines between American identities. Race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status have consistently been used to justify the degradation of minority groups, and such practices are still alive and well. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay When the Founding Fathers said that “all men are created equal,” they meant the people they deemed worthy: white men. It took decades for the “landed” qualification to no longer apply, and this in itself was considered progressive for the time period. The founding fathers claimed "democracy", but at the beginning this country did not have a true democracy, since the majority of people did not have the right to express their political voice through elections, but only those deemed favorable. If you were alive in this time period, you might hear prominent politicians talk about state rights, liberation, and independence in the House and Senate while listening to the distant calls of the largest slave auction right in the heart of Washington DC. This is the hypocrisy and horror upon which our government was founded, and the established status quo that continues to keep minorities oppressed. “Men” referred strictly to white males (and mostly landowners) in the days of the founding fathers, now the quantifications are not as rigid but contain the same prejudicial implications. Theoretically, all people born in the United States have the right to vote when they turn 18, however, due to inequality of resources and education, minority populations are still deeply politically oppressed. If you don't have a car, you don't have access to the polls. If you don't have an internet connection, you don't have access to much of the information reserved for voters of higher socioeconomic status. If you live in a violent area and are arrested for an altercation, your right to vote can be taken away. If your district is under pressure, your vote may still not count. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Our government is still made up of mostly white male representatives in power, because these very white men have created and enforced a political system that predominantly benefits them. Just as the Founding Fathers perceived who the "men" should be, so do modern politicians regarding who the "voters" should be - as many current politicians cater to the majority base by insulting marginalized communities such as immigrants, LGBTQ+ identifying people , POC, and even oppressed majorities like women. The old history is prevalent and still actively oppresses many communities, and modern political ideologies still continue to oppress people. There is legalized discrimination against queer people, a disproportionate number of people of color in prison brutalized by police, and a lack of resources and recourse for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Our country has made great progress, but it is foolish to dismiss the old story as “old history” or to believe that the concept that “all men are created equal” has actually become true and authentic.