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ERA Research 1. Primary Source Analysis: Rights Amendment To Congressman Cellar
ERA Research 1. Primary Source Analysis: Rights Amendment To Congressman Cellar
Pro: Shirley Chisholm Speech, “For the Equal Con: Letter from John McCreary (Attorney)
Rights Amendment to Congressman Cellar
Why does Chisholm think the passage of the ERA What is McCreary’s biggest concern about the
is important? Cite at least 2 reasons: ERA?
A: Chisholm thinks the passage of the ERA is A: McCreary's biggest concern is that if the ERA
important because she believes that this is passes women will lose their special exempt
needed "to clarify countless ambiguities and status to some laws that govern men.
inconsistencies in our legal system"(paragraph 5
lines 1-2). She also believes that the passage is
needed to "assure full equality of opportunity"
for women.
Why do you think he focuses on women needing
to be special or exceptional to men?
Give 2 examples of economic benefits the ERA List 1 main reason as to why the ERA should not
would secure for women: be ratified:
A: Two economic benefits the ERA would secure A: According to McCreary, one main reason why
for women is opportunity for women in better- the ERA should not be ratified is because some
paying jobs in manufacturing. And more laws work to the disadvantage of women. The
opportunities in public vocational and graduate solution is to repeal those laws, not negate all of
schools for women. the other laws which are to the women's benefit
like the ERA insists on doing.
What does Chisholm mean when she says, “Legal Is giving women special protections equality?
discrimination between the sexes is, in almost What does McCreary’s argument have in
every instance, founded on outmoded views of common with some previous opposition points
society and the pre-scientific beliefs about we’ve discussed?
psychology and physiology”:
2. What fear about the ERA is this cartoon appealing to? What will women become if an
amendment like this is passed?
A: The fear that this cartoon is appealing to is that women with more rights and
opportunities are going to abandon their "duties" in the household. If an amendment
like that is passed, women will become more independent.
2. Explain why the publisher believes this document is “vague and legally unsound?”
A: The publisher believes that this document is “vague and legally unsound" because she
thinks that whatever the legal status in regard to the civil matters, are different for men and
women in state or federal legislation.She believes that a lot of confusion would happen as to
what standards to acquire, whether those for men or for women.
5. Further Research
https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/rbg-equal-rights-amendment
This source was written by Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1971 in support of the Equal Rights
Amendment.