"Second-class citizens" refers to individuals or groups who are treated as inferior to others within a society. This status often results in limited rights, opportunities, and access to resources compared to the dominant group. Discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status can contribute to this classification. Historically, various groups have been labeled as second-class citizens, including African Americans during the era of Jim Crow laws in the United States and women before gaining voting rights. Such inequalities can lead to social unrest and movements advocating for equal rights and justice.