However, a document was written, and dictations set forth that to this day continue to oversee our country. The Declaration of Independence is likely considered one of America's greatest of documents- yet today we use it as a battlefield and it's meaning for some is as shallow as a river that is running dry. In this document it states that all men are created equal...that all people deserve justice and freedom.
Yet, America has yet to live up to this expectation. We boost of being a free country, but where is that freedom? Yes, we are freer than many other countries, but we certainly are not the ones who can boost about being everything our Declaration of Independence declares us to be.
At one time, all are created equal- unless you were a slave. All are created equal- but only if you are not homosexual. All are created equal- so long as you have the money and the power. All are created equal? Not in this bloody reality.
In reality not all are created equal in the eyes of the law. Justice applies to those who can afford it or those born into it. For others there is no equality, no justice. There is no equality when a Gay, Lesbian (or Bisexual, etc...) cannot marry their partner of 20 years. It is not justice when a child is taken from a good and loving home because the parents are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered. It is not freedom when you cannot marry the one you love or raise your children together because of bigoted opinions and bias laws (and law enforcers).
Equality is a woman's right to her own body, the freedom to marry who you love, to share in the equality that others have. Even gender-related issues are still taking place in America. Hell, more often than not people want to blame a woman when she is raped, rather than holding her rapist accountable for his foul actions. Is that justice? I do not believe so.
Now, I love my country and I know that America is a wonderful place to live- but it is not the only wonderful place to live. It certainly isn't if you are treated as a second class citizen for whatever reason. It certainly doesn't feel like it when the funeral of your loved one is picketed by protestors who know nothing about the person who has moved on.
America is not perfect. Some days, I am very proud to be an American. Other days, I am wholeheartedly ashamed of her. But I will support her. I support America with my votes, my voice, my activism in the issues I believe in. But until prejudice can be set aside. Until women are equal with men (and we have that illusion of gender equality, but the reality can be quite different from the fantasy), until EVERYONE CAN MARRY WHO THEY LOVE, until money does not dictate justice- then America- in my opinion, is not living up to her full expectations.
So on this day of my country's Independence, I reflect not only on the things I love about my country, but on the areas that need improvement.
A cogent and passionate post! It's been half a century since I first realized the U.S. was becoming an international belligerent, that we weren't the good guys any more, that a leap of faith was required. The country's problems need a lot of attention, but they're not insuperable. It's important we don't give up.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly this. To give up would be a betrayal of the freedom humanity longs for and what the country as a whole should want to provide to all its people. America is a great country, but she needs to continue to move towards the goals she set forth in her infancy. -Midi
DeleteThis is a very thoughtful and truthful article--a realistic but sad commentary on our state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteIt's my opinion that our country has lost its way. Not only are women and sexual minorities treated as second-class citizens, but so are those who voice unpopular opinions. The right to peacefully assemble is being crushed under the auspices of fighting terrorism, and activists that have committed no crimes are having their homes raided, their computers confiscated, and are being preemptively arrested and detained in order to prevent their organizing efforts. Police agencies too often support corporate interests and the consolidation of corporate power over the rights of "we the people;" this, to the demise of democratic process.
On New Years Eve of this year, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which allows for the indefinite detention of American citizens without trial at the hands of the military.
The founders of this country broke away from Great Britain and created a nation based upon great ideals such as "life,liberty and pursuit of happiness." Unfortunately, those whom we elect to represent us, no longer hold those "truths to be self-evident."
Yes, I had heard about the detainment act. It's a sad time when these issues are issues in the century we live in. -Midi
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