Summary:
"Is freedom in american fought for?" Discussion of this comment by Philip Randolph.
How would life be today if freedom was not automatically given? In the past, being granted the liberties of freedom was one of the most difficult processes for every minority except Caucasians. These liberties of freedom mainly consist of everything that is included in the first amendment. This amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (Faragher, Appendix A-7) This may also include the freedom to what a person wishes under the extent of the law. Hence, Phillip Randolph was correct in some sense when he stated that "Freedom is not granted but fought for." Today's modern society already consists of freedom, unlike the past in which it was a major struggle. This struggle for freedom was fought by different minorities, genders, and ages.
Philip Randolph statement demonstrates that life was hard for a lot of people. The message states that people who lived in the past did not have such a good lifestyle like the way we live today. For example, during the late 1800's, African Americans were considered free people, but at the same time restricted from doing many things.
They could not vote because the Fifteenth Amendment did not guarantee the rights that a citizen could do so. They were also outlawed from doing other things that people today usually do on a regular basic. Everywhere African Americans would go, they would be racial discriminated which hindered them from living a normal life. This was not their idea of freedom. The way they fought and broke through this struggle was fighting safely in the court system. In 1875, the court confirmed the Civil Rights Act. This act "outlawed racial discrimination in theaters, hotels, railroads, and other public places." (Faragher, Chap 17) Although this act did not give African Americans all the rights and freedoms compared to today's society, it opened many doors and gave them opportunities to live life the way citizens did. This form of freedom was not given to them, they had to fight for it because However, it was one step closer to achieving freedom we live with today.
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