For many, the American dream could finally be fully realized during the last decade. While millions have believed in the dream for centuries, its reality remained out of reach.
That may sound extreme, but considering the number of years the U.S. has existed, there has only been a brief period during which all citizens held the same rights.
It has been just over 60 years since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Women gained the right to vote in 1920, and people were finally able to vote without facing racial discrimination in 1965.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 prohibited discrimination in lending based on gender or marital status. In other words, women could buy property independently without a husband’s permission or a male co-signer. Same-sex marriage became legal in 2015.
So, it has only been since 2015 that every citizen in the U.S. has been able to get married, vote and buy property regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orientation.
That’s a mere 10 years — just one decade. One decade of full citizenship and humanity. One decade of the right to have your voice heard and build the life that you want.
All the while, a counter movement has been working to bring the country closer to the original caste system on which it was founded. This was when “we the people” did not include all the different people living in America.
States like Missouri and Indiana have re-outlined congressional districts with the sole purpose of reducing some voters’ right to fair representation. The actions are not in the best interests of “we the people.” They are the product of presidential demands.
What felt like freedom to some in 2015 felt like an attack on the fundamental beliefs of others. As one group finally felt seen and heard, another group felt ignored, offended, left behind, or confused.
This zero-sum mindset continues to play out in our country. In this game, if someone wins, someone else must lose. Some operate as if someone else must grow poorer when they grow richer. Or someone else must grow hungry for them to eat well.
But is it possible for everyone to win? Is it possible for all Americans — left or right, rich or poor — to have rights, feel seen and live freely? We may not all become rich, but could we just be — be our full selves, be proud of our cultures and be allowed to build a life of which we are proud?
Will there ever be a day when “we the people” refers to all people? I, for one, sure hope so. And I hope I’m still around to see it.
Camike Jones is editor-in-chief of the Indianapolis Recorder.