An introductory survey on the government's role in America's continuing drive for equality. Are equality and liberty allies or adversaries? Illegal immigrants and persons of color facing racial profiling probably don't feel "all men are created equal." Two great divisions that occurred at the Philadelphia Convention of 1776 over the issues of representation and slavery still influence society today, leaving some Americans left out when it comes to equal rights. Today's disparity of equality, particularly the "American dilemma" of race, runs throughout U.S. history. Equal Protection of the Law provides readers with an historical overview of the controversies that have sprung up over the issue of equality, an understanding of how government and, particularly, the federal government - has reacted to these controversies, and the role these issues have played in shaping American society. This volume follows the push for equal treatment regardless of age, gender, disabilities or economic status. It focuses on legislation such as the American with Disabilities Act, and political initiatives and movements such as The Great Society, the ERA, and the War on Poverty.