Equality and Rights in the U.S.

• Darnell, Keisha, and Mark visit a museum to see an exhibit called "Journey to Equality."

Equality Defined

• Equality means everyone having the same fair chances, despite differences in skin color, language, or disabilities.
• In the U.S., rights are what a person is allowed to have, get, or do such as freedom of speech and the right to vote.
• Historically, not everyone in the U.S. had these rights, and the fight for equal rights continues today.

Role of Leaders

• Government leaders create laws to promote fairness.
• Community leaders, including those in businesses, schools, and organizations, address local issues to improve lives.
• Countries aim to maintain peace through collaboration, with leaders like presidents, governors, and mayors playing key roles.

Sojourner Truth

• Sojourner Truth was an enslaved African American in New York who fought for the end of slavery and equal rights.
• She endured hard labor and unfair treatment.
• A law in New York granted freedom to enslaved people, including her.
• Truth delivered speeches against slavery and in favor of women's rights across the country.
• During the Civil War, she helped recruit people to fight against slavery.
• Following the Civil War, she continued advocating for equal rights for African Americans and women, also assisting freed African Americans in finding employment.
• Black History Month in February is dedicated to learning about important African Americans and their contributions.

Thurgood Marshall

• Thurgood Marshall worked for equality and peace.
• He became a lawyer despite facing racial discrimination in schools.
• Marshall addressed inequality in schools, where schools for African Americans were underfunded.
• He challenged unfair laws in court, including before the Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of integrated schools due to his arguments.
• Many unfair laws were changed as a result of his legal work.
• He was appointed the first African American justice on the Supreme Court.
• Despite progress, some leaders resisted changes toward equality.

Daisy Bates

• Daisy Bates was a community leader who fought for equality for African Americans.
• She and her husband started a newspaper to highlight protests, speeches, and the fight for equal rights.
• Bates's newspaper challenged unfair laws.
• She supported students fighting for their right to attend integrated schools.
• Bates participated in marches and gave speeches, including at a major march in Washington, D.C.
• Despite progress, the fight for equal rights continues.

Martin Luther King Jr.

• Martin Luther King Jr. fought for equality for African Americans.
• He is celebrated with a holiday on the third Monday in January and during Black History Month.
• African Americans faced segregation and discrimination, including separate schools and restrictions on where they could sit, eat, or shop.
• King founded an organization dedicated to equality and peace through non-violent means.
• His "I Have a Dream" speech at a march in Washington, D.C. advocated for peaceful coexistence.
• Peaceful protests, marches, and boycotts were organized to challenge unfair laws.
• Laws were changed to grant African Americans equal rights.
• King believed peace is achieved when everyone is treated fairly.

Continuing the Journey

• Anyone can be a leader in the fight for equality and peace.
• Sojourner Truth opposed slavery and fought for women's suffrage.
• Thurgood Marshall fought against segregation in schools and worked to change unfair laws.
• Daisy Bates's newspaper highlighted protests and the struggle for equal rights, while she also helped students integrate schools.
• Martin Luther King Jr led peaceful protests and advocated for equality for African Americans.
• Current efforts for equality involve treating everyone fairly and collaborating to solve problems.
• Examples of working towards equality include building adapted playgrounds, starting wheelchair basketball teams, preventing bullying, and participating in international peace organizations.