I think the debate over whether or not we have lived up to that statement is subjective because the interpretation of the statement changes with each generation. At first, the "men" that the founding fathers refer to are only white men.
In the early 1900s, the definition of "men" expanded to women and they fought for their suffrage. Then, African-Americans fought to have the same rights. It's kind of sad that it took America so long to expand these rights to these people who should have had the same rights in the first place. In this generation, people are still fighting for gay rights. The pessimist would say that America does not live up to the statement, but the optimist would say that America is just slow in it's progress in living up it.
Personally, I feel like America has made more progress than a lot of other countries, but we still have a long way to go. Even though we'd like to say that we all have the same rights, racism and prejudice is still prevalent in our lives and I don't think there's ever going to be a complete end to it.
Recently in the news, an African-American gymnast named Simone competed at worlds and an Italian gymnast who finished right behind her claimed that Americans always have an unfair advantage over every other country and stated that maybe next time her and her team mate should paint their skin black so they would win. This remark really struck me at how terrible people can be. Even though this isn't necessarily a remark made by an American, this is an example of how there is still progress to be made in the definition of equality. Prejudice often overpowers the fact that all people should have the same rights.
Personally, I feel like America has made more progress than a lot of other countries, but we still have a long way to go. Even though we'd like to say that we all have the same rights, racism and prejudice is still prevalent in our lives and I don't think there's ever going to be a complete end to it.
Recently in the news, an African-American gymnast named Simone competed at worlds and an Italian gymnast who finished right behind her claimed that Americans always have an unfair advantage over every other country and stated that maybe next time her and her team mate should paint their skin black so they would win. This remark really struck me at how terrible people can be. Even though this isn't necessarily a remark made by an American, this is an example of how there is still progress to be made in the definition of equality. Prejudice often overpowers the fact that all people should have the same rights.
Nice Tiff! I agree that whether or not we have lived up to that statement is subject to interpretation. Even though we have come a long way, we're still fighting for equality. I feel like there is always going to be one group that feels as if they don't have enough rights. Our generation is mainly fighting for gay rights, but we don't know what the next generation will have to fight for or if they have to fight at all.
ReplyDeleteI agree, even if we are not the "top" country for all rights, I think America has come a long way and is still improving! Well said Tiffany.
ReplyDeleteA agree, we have come a long was from the idea that America is superior and that we set a precedent of the world. It's weird seeing that we as a country have had some work to do, and still have work to do, to live up to what we stand for.
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