Government should defend all citizens equally

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines bigotry as “intolerance; prejudice.” Discrimination is defined as “a showing of partiality or prejudice in treatment; specif., action or policies directed against the welfare of minority groups.” While it is true that bigotry, as a belief system, can’t be regulated, I believe that our government has a responsibility to represent and defend equally the rights of all citizens. Passivity and silence has never been effective tools to fight bigotry and prejudice, for either governments or private citizens. Our government’s engagement in the protection and defense of minority groups was never intended to change anyone’s belief system, but to protect the rights of minority groups, which is a proper function of government.