"For the Equal Rights Amendment" by Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm
"for the equal rights amendment"mr. speaker, house joint resolution 264, before us today, which provides for equality under the law for both men and women, represents one of the most clear-cut opportunities we are likely to have to declare our faith in the principles that shaped our constitution. it provides a legal basis for attack on the most subtle, most pervasive, and most institutionalized form of prejudice that exists. discrimination against women, solely on the basis of their sex, is so widespread that is seems to many persons normal, natural and right.
legal expression of prejudice on the grounds of religious or political belief has become a minor problem in our society. prejudice on the basis of race is, at least, under systematic attack. their is reason for optimism that it will start to die with the present, older generation. it is time we act to assure full equality of opportunity to those citizens who, although in a majority, suffer the restrictions that are commonly imposed on minorities, to women.
the argument that this amendment will not solve the problem of sex discrimination is not relevant. if the argument were used against a civil rights bill, as it has been used in the past, the prejudice that lies behind it would be embarrassing. of course laws will not eliminate prejudice from the hearts of human beings. but that is no reason to allow prejudice to continue to be enshrined in our laws -- to perpetuate injustice through inaction.
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