Freedom for All: Why Minority Rights Make Democracy Work
Author: Josie Wilmot
When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, it promised a freer, more just society. Yet that promise excluded women, African Americans, and many others whose voices were silenced for generations. The ideals of liberty and equality for all only started to take shape as these groups organized, resisted, and demanded recognition.
A major factor in ensuring minority rights is the prevention of tyranny. Political scientist Iris Marion Young champions this notion. In her work " Justice and the Politics of Difference," she argues that true social justice requires a broader focus on distributive policies. In other words, equality cannot be achieved without rules that accommodate every group, not just a single one. I could not agree more with this perspective. Without effective legislation that prioritizes the needs of different marginalized groups, underlying oppression often goes unnoticed.
With the inclusion of minority rights, members of underrepresented communities have the chance to voice their concerns within society without fear of persecution. This is essential to democracy, as one of its core foundations is the protection of freedom of speech. It also serves as a way to mitigate conflict and foster understanding.
As previously stated, the rights of disadvantaged groups have always been hard-won through persistent struggle. Take, for instance, the Black Panther Party. This revolutionary organization was founded by college students Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. While the primary intent of its creation was to peacefully protect African American communities, it later transformed into a movement that highlighted Black pride and self-determination. To enforce these ideologies, some BPP members resorted to violent tactics, often resulting in shootouts with law enforcement. This constant tension created ongoing fear and unrest between Black and white communities.
The need for minority rights becomes more complex when examined on an international level. In a 36-country survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 34% of respondents viewed racial and ethnic discrimination as a major issue. According to the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index—the world’s leading independent source of rule of law data—70% of countries observed an increase in discrimination between 2021 and 2022. With the urgent need to address this issue, organizations such as the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) play a crucial role. This non-governmental organization works to protect and promote human rights by participating in global human rights coalitions and strengthening international systems of accountability. Their work is vital, as strong international and regional human rights mechanisms help ensure accountability for violations and contribute to meaningful, lasting change.
In conclusion, minority rights are valuable components of a rich and equitable democracy. These rights allow all communities to advocate for themselves, strengthen political participation, and ensure that democracy truly serves everyone—not just the majority.
Duncan, G.A. "Black Panther Party." Encyclopedia Britannica, September 26, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Panther-Party.
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR). About ISHR. Accessed October 11, 2025. https://ishr.ch/.
Pew Research Center. 2025. "Global Perceptions of Inequality and Discrimination." January 9, 2025. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/01/09/global-perceptions-of-inequality-and-discrimination/.
World Justice Project. 2023. "Discrimination is Getting Worse Globally." March 21, 2023. https://worldjusticeproject.org/news/discrimination-getting-worse-globally.
Young, Iris Marion. Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1990.
