Nowadays it can be seen that our military embodies diversity along with America itself with the many different races that make it up. This is what makes this country so great. It is a mixing pot with the melding of different races and cultures making it unique. Diversity is what America supports allowing everyone to be free and be able to accomplish their dreams, no matter what religious background you have or what race you are. Our military is also a representation of this with its diverse group of individuals that comprise it to make a whole which works together to defend and  fight for the ideas that America stand for. This shows that no matter how diverse we are and how much we differ we can stand together and fight for liberty, equality, opportunity, rights and democracy. Giving a chance for future generations to experience this freedom as we keep becoming more diverse. This is truly incredible that no matter what we are all American citizens bonded together with these ideas that allow us to live our lives as we do now. However, America never used to be as diverse during the Civil War era from 1861 to 1865. It is seen here that soldiers fought for the right that America be made diverse through the idea that everyone be made equal.                                                                                                                             During this time the US military was mainly comprised of white soldiers and the idea of non-white soldiers was absurd. Then that was all changed when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in January 1st, 1863 when slaves in the rebellious states were freed. This allowed for a movement to create an all black regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. It is seen here that the military was attempting to become more diverse, even though black soldiers were still separated from white soldiers. These soldiers fought for the same ideals that white soldiers fought for bringing them together on the battlefield. While some treated them as a joke, they should that they belong and that they be treated with respect with the bravery and dedication to their cause. The fought for the idea that one day everyone will be treated equally in America no matter what race or even religion you are. It is these soldiers that we can thank for the freedom we experience today, they trail blazed the path that many other soldiers fought for in order to give us the lives they once dreamt future generations could have. Although it did not immediately happen until many years later thanks to the push that was the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s, however these men could be seen as forerunners to this movement. They showed that diversity was not a bad idea and that it should be embraced because it makes for a better, stronger, united people. Where would we be now without these brave individuals who fought for the lives we have today?

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