Why after nearly 240 years, is 'all men are created equal' still a debatable topic?

The equality provisions are not total equality in all things. The equality is referring that everyone is equal under the law and equal to pursue their own vision of the good life. Some laws were written that intentionally were unequal in how they treated different classes of people. Lawmakers brought in emotion and opinion into legislation instead of following principles outlined in the Declaration and the Constitution. A good example of this is the prohibitions against same sex marriages. Regardless of one's opinion on the matter it applied to a secular institution and as such those prohibitions violated the very principles we hold dear. Not only did those prohibitions violate the very notion of equality, but they violated the 1st amendment as well. It is sad that there needs to be civil rights movements because in theory, everyone should be covered in both the letter and the spirit of the founders' intent.

Inherently we are only equal in the eyes of God. All of us were dealt different hands in life and some play their hands better. With that said equal opportunity should be sought for, but equal outcome will never happen as life isn't fair.

Perhaps I can point out a two key words in the statement "Created Equal". This refers to an instant in time. After creation it up to you to become the best you can be or a failure. Our founders recognized that all of us as individuals were unique in our talents and failings. But after that instant of Creation it is up to the indivdual where his life leads.