Liberty and Justice for All

(This article first appeared in the January-February 2017 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

“Liberty and justice for all” is universally known in America. These are words we have said hundreds of times when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, but the phrase is far from ordinary. Together, these five words represent the cornerstone of American democracy. When we recite them, we reaffirm our dedication to the fundamental principles of that democracy. We are created equal and have certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But do we as a nation really practice what we preach?

The Civil Rights Movement transformed American society in many ways by outlawing overt discrimination and making it socially unacceptable. But do all Americans enjoy liberty? Is everyone treated equal? Do we truly accept the diversities of others? If we are being honest, the answer is “no.” Two hundred and forty years, and we’re not there yet.

Despite many advances, there are still many inequities. People of color are overrepresented in our prisons. Blacks and Latinos make up 60% of our prison population, but only account for 13% and 16% of America’s population, respectively. They are arrested and convicted more often than white people accused of the same crimes. They receive harsher penalties, especially black males whose sentences are nearly 20% longer than white men found guilty of the same offense. Black males are 25% less likely to get sentences below the recommended guidelines. Blacks and Latinos are three times more likely to be searched during traffic stops than whites. They represent 67% of all juveniles committed to public facilities nationwide –nearly twice their share of the juvenile population, and in many cases they are being killed without just cause.

There is also a significant gender gap in this country. Women earn 20 cents per hour less than men performing the same work. The difference is even greater for Hispanic and Latina women who only make 54% of what white men are paid. Women are still discriminated against in the workplace, subjected to sexual harassment, and they are often overlooked for promotions despite being as equally qualified as their male coworkers.

Since 2008, states across the country passed voter suppression laws, making it harder for Americans, particularly black citizens, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities, to exercise their right to cast a ballot. Measures include cuts to early voting, ID laws, purging rolls and gutting the Voting Rights Act.

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community are incessantly persecuted based on their sexual orientation or how they identify. Since 2013, over 254 bills have been introduced across the nation aimed at restricting their rights. The discriminatory legislation runs the gamut from bathrooms to marriage, the right to adopt, access to health care and other pre-emptive measures. The LGBTQ are the most prevalent victims of hate-motivated violence in the U.S.

Muslims are wrongfully grouped as terrorists. Mexicans are unjustly called rapists. People with disabilities are flagrantly mocked. Immigrants are considered unworthy. When will the fear, hate and disparity stop? Seriously, are all white people murderers because Ted Bundy was a serial killer? Immigrants aren’t here to steal the American dream. Most of us are descendents of immigrants. Like our forefathers, they’ve come to America for a better life.

These issues reach beyond civil rights. They are human rights that are nonnegotiable. Our pledge “liberty and justice for all,” is a promise to humanity. It is time we mean what we say. America’s values are being undermined. Protect people from bullies, threats and injustice. We can be the problem or we can be the solution.

As Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Since we know that the system will not change the rules, we are going to have to change the system.” Let’s get to work, together!