Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), the president of the National Woman Suffrage Association for twenty years, wrote the Declaration of Sentiments as a call to arms for female equality. Stanton wrote this exquisite declaration during the famous Seneca Falls Convention in July 1848. Another famous speaker is, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968). Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. Before his tragic death, he spoke one of the most important speeches in history, the I Have a Dream speech. In this speech, Dr. King spoke on how his dream was for everyone to be one instead of categorized as two different beings; he wanted black and white children to be able to hold hands and call each other friend, and most importantly, for people to be judged by their character instead of their skin color. Brent Staples is a prime example for someone being judged by their color. In his "Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Ability to Alter Public Space," he explains how people see him, especially at night, as a criminal instead of a real person. There have been many cases where people have been judged whether it be by gender or skin color. It has happened from not only civilians but from people with power in the government. It is the government's duty to uphold their promise from 1776, when the founding fathers stated that all people are created equal and have the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
"All your words are but to say: you are a woman, and your part is in the house. But when the men have died in battle and honour, you have leave to be burned in the house, for the men will need it no more" (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King).