Describe the difference between equality of condition and equality of opportunity.Which does the American system seek to advance, and what does that mean in terms of accepting some forms of discrimination?

Question

Why are judicial interpretations of the U.S. Constitution limited in deciding issues of equality, and what effect have they had on civil rights issues? What role has been played by grassroots mobilization and evolving social values in the civil rights movement?
What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

An ideal response will:
1, Describe how equality of condition refers to valuing equal economic status as well as equal access to housing, health care, education, and government services, while equality of opportunity refers to seeking to provide all citizens with opportunities for participation in the economic system and public life but accepting unequal results in income, political power, and property ownership.
2, Discuss how the American system seeks to advance equality of opportunity, which means the elimination of some discriminatory barriers, such as those to education, employment, and public accommodations, but the acceptance of others, such as differences in wealth and access to health care.
3, Identify that judicial interpretations have had important effects on the advancement of equality and civil rights, but they are limited because they primarily address what governments can do, because the Constitution did not cover forms of discrimination practiced by private individuals in, for example, making decisions about hiring or providing goods and services.
4, Detail how grassroots mobilization has been used as a strategy to raise public awareness and change social values in order to advance civil rights in areas where judicial interpretations have been limited.