Why do Americans have to kill before getting all their rights?

[RandySF]

In the 1940's, Harry Truman desegregated the military, but it would be a good 20 to 30 years later before African Americans had the same rights as everyone else. Eighteen year-olds were drafted for nearly 200 years before getting the right to vote. This weekend, we celebrate the rights of gay Americans to serve in the military, but they still may not marry, enter into civil unions or adopt children in most states and ENDA died in Congress. So why is it, we always have to kill and be killed on a battlefield before being able to enjoy the liberties that are supposed to be associated with being an American?