Discrimination

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/11/army-officer-told-not-to-enter-daughters-high-school-over-uniform/?intcmp=latestnews

Not only are law enforcement agencies, both private and public, discriminating against blacks and hispanics; not they are restricting caucasians from doing things too. Military father Lt. Col. Sherwood Baker was denied access to his daughter's school the other day when he went to visit her. Security for the school instructed him to leave as him being in uniform might offend some of the other students. The family, school, and community were outraged by this and have now taken measures to ensure this does happen again.

While the security team for the school handled this situation very poorly, the school and school system have done a lot to fix their wrongs. The superintendent being a marine himself has openly stated that what happened was wrong and the school itself does not express the same views as the security team. While bothered by the whole issue the family has accepted the apology and has agreed to meet with the principle to settle everything once and for all.

It shames me that even the men who have served our country diligently and put their lives on the line for American freedom are under attack back home. It makes me wonder who's next? Grandma and Grandpa won't be allowed in movies because they're too old? No matter how you put it discrimination is a giant problem in America, it always has been and now it's evolving. It's changing and not for the better; it makes me question if this is truly a great country or if it's all a facade.

Human Rights

Gay group to march under banner in St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York

2014 is year  of the LGBT community. Before this time gays were forbidden to openly participate in the decades old St. Patrick's Day parade held in New York City every year. If a member of the LGBT community wanted to participate, they were forced to stand under some one else's banner, unable to represent themselves. While it is not known how the first LGBT community was chosen to participate; this development sparks hope for a better future for everyone regardless of sexual preference. The lifting of the ban demonstrates, not only to other Americans, the progress in which is being made but also the rest of the world as it is a broadcasted event. For the first time, the world will see acceptance of everyone from a country that was once so close-minded.

The lifting of the ban is a statement; it is saying that times are changing. Changing for the better, changing for equality, changing in a way the rest of the world will think “Why can’t we be more like America?”. Up until this point we, as Americans, have been behind a majority of first world countries when it comes to equality for everyone. Segregation based off race, gender, sexuality and class are all problems that American is still faced with today. How can we claim to be progressive when human rights don't apply to all humans in this country? Allowing gays to march under their own banners is the start to true progress.