 
it is said that america is a social as well as a political democracy. 
this is largely, but not entirely, true. 
both in the past and at present, some americans have had special 
difficulties in moving upward. 
there is discrimination. 
that is, people are treated differently. 
people may be favored or rejected depending upon their race, religion, 
sex, or national origin. 
those who are favored receive the benefits of society. 
those who are discriminated against are denied many of these same 
benefits. 
throughout american history many groups have been discriminated against: 
catholics, jews, blacks, puerto ricans, orientals, mexican-americans, indians, 
and women. 
these are called minority groups because each group (except for women) is 
fewer in number than the largest single group in the population. 
let us discuss discrimination. 
during the 1890's a secret organization called the american protective 
association became popular in the united states. 
it claimed one million members. 
the apa spread hatred against catholics. 
to become a member, a person had to take the following oath: 
i do most solemnly promise and swear that... i will never allow anyone, a 
member of the roman catholic church, to become a member of this order, i 
knowing him to be such; that i will use my influence to promote the interest 
of all protestants everywhere in the world that i may be; that i will not 
employ a roman catholic in any capacity if i can procure the services of a 
protestant. 
why would a human being take such an inhumane oath? 
