Prejudice and Social Change

Beginning in the 1920s, Sacco and Vanzetti’s case inadvertently opened many people’s eyes to the severity of the political and social divides that existed in their society. At that time, Italians were despised, though it later became the Irish and then people of color. However, it was not just the fact that the two men were Italian, but that they were anarchists, who believed that the government should not exist. This added to the disdain that many felt for them.

Social radicals were so vocal about the case that it led Americans to questions society as a whole and has made the case a legacy in the ongoing “war” for social equality. Today, just like the political atmosphere during the case, there remains harsh controversy in terms of the acceptance of immigrants, the treatment of low-wage workers, equity in the legal system for people among different socioeconomic statuses, the labeling of terrorists, and more. Although much has been done in pursuit of greater social equality, the US is still working towards a goal of equality for everyone regardless of ethnicity, race, belief, sexuality, gender, sexual orientation, and more. With that said, today’s affirmative action policies, fairer legal immigration laws and the massive presence of social reformers help to prevent all kinds of past social injustices from continuing to disenfranchise people who are labeled as “different”.