Answer:
an argument or claim
Step-by-step explanation:
An argument or claim is a statement of opinion on an issue which has multiple sides or perspectives a person can take.
The statement in the question provides a person's perspective on the issue of the Equal Rights Amendment. The amendment, when considered for ratification, had many differing opinions on whether or not it should be passed. The use of the word "should" also suggests it is the author's claim on the issue. The essay following the claim would provide evidence to support the claim along with analysis to explain how the evidence connects to the claim