Equality of citizens under the law of the United States is a successive policy that has been growing and changing in slight ways since before there was a constitution. From the pilgrims to Me Too, equal rights have been continually fought over. As we advance as society so too must our policies and laws. Sitting on top of the earliest American policy declaration that all men are created equal rests the entirety of equality policy.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is what many consider to be the most important piece of legislation for equality in America. However, this piece of legislation is just another of the successive steps taken toward equality. Economic and racial inequality are still significant issues being dealt with in America today. How can that be if we passed civil rights legislation over 50 years ago?
Policy must continue to be developed to protect and advance equality in our society. Building on top of the Civil Rights Act, in 1992, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. From there, the Supreme Court ruled that civil rights should not be infringed on by legalizing gay marriage in 2015. Equal rights are an American policy that continues to grow as America grows.
The American policy that all men are created equal was not accomplished when the 13th Amendment was passed or when women won the right to vote. Policy means constant evaluation, reconciliation, and revision. Future steps advancing equality could be banning Voter ID laws, federal paid family leave, or a federal jobs guarantee. Human beings grow and change constantly and so does and should our policy.