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Are we truly living through the fourth feminist wave?

Nowadays, it seems as though one can’t log on to Twitter without reading an opinion on feminism. It has become a part of today’s pop culture, but is that enough to say that we’re living through the fourth feminist wave?

Throughout the course of the last few years the talk on feminism has resurfaced, which as a result has caused a series of political and ideological awakenings in regards to the issue itself and to the position that one should take. 
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It is common knowledge that there have been three previous feminist waves throughout history. Now that feminism is a yet again commonly debated and considered issue, many have asked the question “are we living through the fourth feminist wave?”
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Feminism is a term commonly spoken of and widely praised; however, is this truly enough to say that society is going through a change? If someone were to ask my personal stance regarding this question, I would answer with a simple and undoubtful “no”. 
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Nowadays, it seems as though one can’t log on to Twitter without reading an opinion on the topic in question. The social and political movement has become an important part of today’s pop culture and has even reached a point in which the empowerment of women is a successful selling point for Hollywood. 
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The fact that this social movement is once more of considerable relevance, is clearly of great importance for the progression of society and for the matter at hand itself. Nevertheless, an issue being popularised is not enough to say that advancement is taking place. In order to declare such a thing, a real change in global public policies must be observed.
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Any whitnessable change is in need of a beginning and if this current global situation becomes a starting point for the much needed reforms and improvements in regards to gender equality, then it could be said that this is the first stage of the much necessary fourth feminist wave.
I sincerely hope that it is, yet I must say that I believe that society should not even be in need of a fourth wave, as this problem should already be overcomed.  
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Progress has certainly been made and by no means should be neglected, but that is a fact simply due to the passage of time. One should not measure progress according to where society began and where it is now in regards to equality.
One should measure progress based on where society could go and where it is now.
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Based on the aforementioned, it is clear that as a community, the world at large has a long way to go, considering both men and women. This is a strive for all humankind; it is not and should not be viewed as a battle between the sexes, but as a battle for collective rights.
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Although it could not qualify as such at this very moment, I certainly hope that this instant will later be known as the start of the fourth and last feminist wave.

Alabama’s 2011 immigration law: how such exclusionary and racist ideals are still witnessed today

Someone once said -and people have proudly repeated since- that “The greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its youth.” However, it seems that this proverb has been quite obviously overlooked.

Alabama, one of the reddest states of the United States passed a new immigration enforcement law regarding children and their education (June 9th 2011). This is a requirement with which schools must comply; in order for the child of an immigrant to be able to enroll in any school, the child must present the immigration status of his or her parents.
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It follows that if the parents of an aspiring student are undocumented, the child will not have access to an education whatsoever.  Since the introduction of this law, authorities have noted that a significant amount of Hispanic children in the state have been absent from school.
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Since the formation of the United States, the country has received a considerable number of foreigners and immigrants. Immigrants have always had the opportunity to receive an education like any American citizen yet, nowadays things are unfortunately changing. 
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The American constitution itself proclaims that there is a guarantee of equal opportunities. This previously observed equality principles entail the same right to education and training for children born in the United States, as well as for immigrant children. 
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It is undenying and unquestinable that children of illegal immigrants are entitled to public education. They are a part of the highly-perceived American society. That is, they have the same rights and obligations as any citizens of the same age, since they contribute to their respective community.
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Someone once said -and people have proudly repeated since- that “The greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its youth.” However, it seems that this proverb has been quite obviously overlooked. 
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The children of immigrants have come to stay. The United States is their home and the lack of access to an education will simply contribute to the country’s own downfall. If a child does not have access to an education, if he or she does not learn about culture and economics, then many will be dragged down the path of mediocrity and take the United States down with them.
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Is this truly what anyone wants for their country?
After battling against the ideal for decades, racism has sprung up again and a battle for those who can’t fend for themselves should be taking place. 
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As is well-known, the United States was referred to as “the melting pot” during the 20th century, meaning that the greatness that one perceives is clearly directly correlated to immigration, of all kinds. 
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The United States wouldn’t be what it is today, a place where one aspires to achieve “the American Dream”, where the many cultures fuse and make one like no other, if it weren’t for immigrants. 
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So, why strip children of their opportunities? Their education is in everyone’s best interest. 
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This issue had seemingly been resolved, however H.B. 56 got a new life at the beginning of the Trump administration; the Alabama immigration law didn’t quite serve as an example of the fact that children should be granted protection by the state.
It appears as though immigrants are constantly targeted, which was further confirmed by Trump’s support of the aforementioned law and by the fact that in 2018, children were kept in cages away from their families whilst having their human rights violated solely due to the immigration status of their parents. 
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It is indisputable that racism in America regarding immigrant children or those born to them prevails. Where will this path lead? Nowhere good, nor productive; that much is assured.