E.R.A.

The E.R.A., which is short for Equal Rights Amendment, strived for the discrimination of gender to be illegal. Many were in opposition to this radical movement of the 1960's, but there were also many who supported this move for change. It is difficult for one to voice there opinion as to whether they support or oppose the E.R.A. due to the fact that, many of us simply weren't there. Had I been there during the time period, I could honestly say that I probably would have appealed to the masses and with those that opposed the E.R.A; however, because there is, supposedly, no such thing as discrimination against females in the 21st century, I strongly support the E.R.A.. In the Declaration of Independence, it states "[W]e hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal..."(Declaration). Some argue that the use of the word "men," specifically refers to males; however, many also believe that the use of the word "men," simply refers to the human race as a whole; mankind. No where is it written in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, but women are not. There are very few differences between men and women, so why should there be any discrimination? The E.R.A. had hopes to create an amendment, ending the unjust treatment of women along with hopes to ratify any documents that exclude the equal treatment of women; however, this still has not happened yet. I believe the campaign for the E.R.A. should be revived. Although there is equal treatment of both men and women today, this amendment should be added to prove that fact. The E.R.A. and women's movement was one of the most impending yet, most availing times during the history of the United States.