Human Rights Violations in The United States: Past and Present

Introduction

Throughout all of history, human rights have always been a topic of discussion as many people in the entire world do not have the basic rights that they deserve. In the United States of America, there are still so many people that do not have basic human rights that every person born should have. There is the case of many women and African Americans in the United States who were unable to vote and have not been able to have their basic rights without it being impeded on, among many other human rights violations against the LGBTQ community and this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are ten basic human rights, and it is hard to believe that in the year 2022 not everyone is able to have them. There should be a focus on everyone having equal and equitable human rights rather than having people continue on in a world where not everyone can have their proper rights. This is a short essay on human rights, which highlights the fact that despite being in the year 2023, there are still numerous people in the United States and around the world who are deprived of their basic human rights, including the right to vote, and LGBTQ rights, among others.

First, what are human rights? “Human rights are a right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person” (Dictionaries, 2020). There are more than just one or two human rights, most people are not aware of all of the human rights that they have. There are ten basic human rights, the right to equal treatment, every individual must be treated equally regardless of their color, caste, religion, or gender, and this right reminds them of that. The right to freedom from torture, by this right, individuals should not be tortured or subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. In terms of the right to life, every human being has the right to live. This means it is the government's responsibility to protect human rights and preserve human life. The right to privacy, right to privacy protects citizens from government and corporate overreach and surveillance. Asylum has been a right since ancient times when churches were granted a right to protect anyone seeking refuge in them, including criminals. The right to marry, the individual of legal age has the right to choose hisher life partner and marry that person to start a family. Every person has a right to freedom of thought, opinion, and expression, and to follow any religion they choose or change their beliefs as they please. The right to work, this right includes a variety of work-related concerns, which means everyone has the right to work, but also the right to be treated well at work. As part of the right to education, an individual has the right to obtain an education. Lastly, a human being's right to social services ensures that he or she has a certain standard of living. Clothing, housing, food, water, medical care, and security are included in this.

The universal declaration of human rights also known as UDHR is a document for freedom, equality, and protecting the rights of every individual. “The UDHR was adopted by the newly established United Nations in 1948 on December tenth as a response to the “barbarous acts which […] outraged the conscience of mankind” during the Second World War.” (International, 2021). The adoption of the UDHR recognized human rights to be the foundation for freedom, justice, and peace. Human rights play an important role in how people relate to each other at all levels of society, including the family, the community, the workplace, politics, and international relations. Therefore, it is crucial that everyone in the world understands what human rights are. Understanding human rights is key to promoting social justice and improving the well-being of society.

Human rights have been violated in the past. There have been egregious human rights violations against Black people in the United States, including slavery, lynchings, Jim Crow laws, and Black Codes, followed by policies and practices that continue to harm Black communities today. Starting with slavery, slavery refers to the condition of one human being owned by another. Slaves were considered property by law, and most of their human rights were taken away from them. During and after slavery, lynching was used by white American men to terrorize and control African Americans. Jim Crow laws were a collection of state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation. “The roots of Jim Crow laws began as early as 1865, immediately following the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States” (Editors, 2018). On top of the Jim Crow laws, there was also the black codes. Historically, black codes were local and state laws that specified where, when, and for what compensation formerly enslaved people could work. In the South, the codes were used as a legal way to put Black citizens into indentured servitude, to take away their voting rights, to control where they lived and how they traveled, and to seize their children for labor.

We are all entitled to human rights. In addition to living free from violence and discrimination, these rights include being educated, owning property, voting, earning an equal wage, and enjoying the highest possible standard of physical and mental health. Around the world, including in the United States, workplace inequality is one of the biggest violations. The fact that women still face extreme disadvantages in the workplace isn't a secret to most Americans. Even though they put in the same amount of time and have the same responsibilities as men, women still don't make the same amount. “The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest” (Editors, 2010). The women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States. Women's rights movements have been fighting to address this inequality for many years, campaigning for laws to be changed or taking to the streets to fight for their rights. In the digital age, many movements have blossomed, including the '#MeToo' campaign, which highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Women's rights and their violation of them have made some progress, but there is still a long way to go.

The last movement is the gay rights movement. In the last century, especially in the last two decades, the gay rights movement in the United States has made progress. The Supreme Court has struck down laws prohibiting homosexual activity and allowing lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people to serve openly in the armed forces. Aside from this, same-sex couples can now adopt and marry in all 50 states. However, the gay rights movement has been a long and bumpy road, and advocates are still fighting for employment, housing, and transgender rights. Human rights violations against LGBTQ people include killings, rape, mutilation, torture, arbitrary detention, abduction, harassment, and physical and mental assaults. From a young age, they are beaten and bullied and are put under pressure to commit suicide.

Conclusion

Throughout all of history, human rights have always been a topic of discussion as many people in the entire world do not have the basic rights that they deserve. In the United States of America, there are still so many people that do not have basic human rights that every person born should have. There is the case of many women and African Americans in the United States who were unable to vote and have not been able to have their basic rights without it being impeded on, among many other human rights violations against the LGBTQ community and this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are ten basic human rights, and it is hard to believe that in the year 2022 not everyone is able to have them. There should be a focus on everyone having equal and equitable human rights rather than having people continue on in a world where not everyone can have their proper rights.

Reference

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