Introduction “All men are created equal” is perhaps the best-known statement in a political document in the history of America. This statement made by Thomas Jefferson in the declaration of independence is today a subject of heated debates as it is arguably full of irony. Several times in American history after the declaration of independence, different cultures have been built on completely opposite foundations rather than that of equality. This statement has therefore attracted several heated debates in the face of major discrimination cases in America such as slavery, racial discrimination, homosexual debates among many other fights by minority groups seeking equal rights. Many times people are discriminated against on the basis of political differences, status, sexual preference, gender and perhaps the most common is racial and ethnic differences. America has indeed come far in search of democracy and equality. The American revolution in the last half of the 18th century was supposed to bring hope and a future for the country where everyone would live freely. Breaking free from the British Empire and rejecting the British authority gave way for a chance to create a self-governing states. This period called for political, social and intellectual transformations in the country. “The result was a representative government which was supposed to be responsible for the will of every person without discriminating” 1 . American Enlightenment, one of the ideas behind this period was a fight for democracy, religious tolerance and liberalism among others. British legislation which ensured that Americans did not have any representation in government catalyzed the birth of American revolution. The policies were designed to strictly benefit the British country economically. American merchants for example were restricted from trading with the big empires which included the Spanish and French empires. There were proclamations which restricted settlements in certain areas and so most Americans would not move as easily as they would want to. As a result, they would not establish farms where they wanted to. These restrictions were as a result of the Navigation Acts, Royal Proclamation and the Molasses Act, all which were put in place between 1733-1763. By 1766, there were more acts forcing Americans to pay for a portion of the British colonial defense expenses. American interests were not taken care of in funds allocation even though they paid taxes. This was as a result of the fact that they did not have representation. Americans started fighting back with slogans such as “no taxation no representation” 2 . Equality debates Racial discrimination is considered one of the most destructive practices in the American history. The last decade of the nineteenth century saw the United States experience high level mushrooming of racial discrimination which fostered racial violence at people of color especially African-Americans, the worst being the slavery period 3 . Discrimination was implemented through racial discrimination, private acts of mass racial violence, voter suppression, and denial of economic opportunities and resources to minority groups. The Jim Crow laws as were famously referred to, brought the worst form of racial discrimination. Civil rights movement, considered the birth of equal jus