Race in Turn of the Century America - Essay Example

The racial discrimination has been in the society and continues to be the main problem in the society. Racial discrimination is still prevalent in the American society as witnessed by some of the comments aired after the re-election of president Obama. Discrimination may not be at a high magnitude as it as in the 1900s, but still exists in the society in a minimal form (University, US Immigration). Discrimination and immigrants The slavery and colonial era led to the development of the legally sanctioned racism which impacted negatively in the society especially on the African American, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Latin American.

The law offered the privilege to the Europeans Americans in issues of education, immigration, citizenship and voting rights. Additionally, the ownership rights were also a privilege for the European Americans. The legal protection led to increased discrimination of population based on race. The criminal procedures over the 17th century to the 20th century treated the Anglo European American better while discriminating other races. Many races suffered xenophobic exclusion and segregation in the American society.

The laws encourage the discrimination based on the race by treating the white or Anglo European immigrants as better citizens than the natives. These laws made it impossible for immigrant of other descend to obtain the necessary services that they require, leading to a serious problem in the process especially when handling issues of equity in the population. The failure to address the various issues was spearheaded by the discriminatory laws developed to protect the right of the Anglo European Americans (University, Imperialism, 2010).

The role of the bill of rights The bill of rights was initially applied to the federal government, but has been held to apply to the other states. The change was achieved through the fourteenth amendment. 10 amendments of the constitution that is collective referred to the bill of rights occurred in December 15th 1791. The amendments captured issues of freedom of speech religion and association, rights to keep and bear arms, and conditions for quarters among of the soldiers. Rights of search and seizure was also regulated (Burgan, 2006).

The unnecessary searches by police and arrests were regulated by the amendments of the bill of rights. Additionally, the amendments were influential in the defining the bill of rights of the citizens. Initially, the bill protected only the American white farmers, by offering protection to their land and property until amended by James Madison and the United States Congress. The ten amendments helped in the development of the new way of protecting citizens rights (Patterson, 2004). An amendment to be evaluated is the provisions concerning prosecution, right to a speedy trial, right to trial by a jury, excessive bail and cruel punishment, rule of construction of the constitution and Rights of states under the constitution.

The role of unions in equity development The formation of workers union and the relationship with the employers has changed significantly. During the 1900s, when the book was written, employers would shut down their plan if workers chose to unionize. Employers could make it difficult for those individuals to get work or even get hours during the work. Had Wagner Act existed, the problem could have been solved through empowering the unions