Freedom to Vote, Essay Example

All residents have equal rights to participate in voting during elections of leaders. Cotton is denied the right to vote because his great grandfathers and father were also denied to vote virtually due to slavery. At first African Americans were forcefully denied to vote by being beaten. For example, great grandfather of Cotton was beaten to death only because he wanted to participate in voting. African Americans were discriminated in many ways. Slaves were not allowed to access employment, education, food stamps, voting, housing, and many other public benefits. After some time, American was not free of discrimination because it engineered other forms of discrimination. African Americans were no longer denied the right to vote directly, but indirect means were used. Intimidation was used against them such they cannot vote and access other public benefits. Grandfather of cotton was intimidated, and he could not vote to participate in electing the leaders.

Since the slaves were denied the right to access education facilities, illiteracy was used as a tool to deny them their rights. For example, the father of cotton was denied to vote due to poll the tax and his illiteracy. Even today, some African Americans are not allowed to vote and access other public benefits because of the history of their parents who were denied the same rights. When an individual is labeled felon, he will not vote or access any public benefits. Cotton was labeled felon, and he cannot vote or access other public benefits like education, employment, housing, and food stamps. The topic is important because it enable the individuals to know their rights to vote and even access other public benefits. All residents irrespective of their race and color should be allowed to vote and access public benefits equally.

Keywords, which can be used to access more references, are; felon in America, African American freedoms and rights, discrimination in America, African American rights, and slavery in America.