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Augusts National Membership Controversy

Social Significance of Martha Burk's Augusta Protest

The significance of the Augusta National membership controversy lies in its demonstration of the inevitable tension in American society caused by the fundamental human rights recognized in two amendments to the U.S. Constitution: the First Amendment right of free speech and free association, and the Fourteenth Amendment right to equal opportunity. The First Amendment protects each individualÆs right to associate with whom he or she chooses. On the other hand, the Fourteenth Amendment protects each individualÆs right not to be barred from opportunities that are available to others. But the U.S. Constitution only applies to governmental action and a private club in Augusta, Georgia retains a right to define with whom its members will be required to associate. The civil rights movement made the strides that it could against de jure discrimination in the United States. But the failure of many to adhere to BurkÆs protest against Augusta National may demonstrate many peopleÆs belief that people will always retain some right to choose with whom they will associate, even if such choices are offensive to others.

The controversy surrounding this yearÆs Masters golf tournament began on June 12, 2002, three months after Martha Burk, chairwoman of the National Council of WomenÆs Organizations, read a column in USA Today about Augusta National Golf clubÆs men-only membership policy. Burk wrote a private letter to club chairman Hootie Johnson asking that the club admit a female member and suggesting that because ôAugusta National and the sponsors of the Masters do not want to be viewed as entities that tolerate discrimination against any group, including women . . . [w]e urge you to review your policies and practices in this regard, and open your membership to women now, so that this is not an issue when the tournament is staged next yearö (Logan 1). Augusta NationalÆs respon...

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Augusts National Membership Controversy. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 06:53, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1701448.html