America has failed in its attempt to be a free country.
Although America claims to be a forward and free country, there is overwhelming evidence that the rights of humans, especially minorities, have not moved forward throughout the past few decades.
The oppression of minorities in North America started with the colonization of Native land. However, within the timeline this course focuses on, the most prevalent and oldest act of oppression would be slavery.
The white man has claimed freedom for all men since the Declaration of Independence was created. However, it is evident throughout history that this is a failed attempt. Even now in 2015, there are riots throughout the country (most famously and recently Ferguson and Baltimore) that have shaken the roots of the 'free land'. The racism, homophobia and transphobia, among countless other methods of ignorance, have not shrunken down in recent years. Instead, new forms of hatred, like police violence, are popping up in every state.
The main point presented in this blog is that regardless of technological advances and claims of being a forward country, lack of acceptance and equality in America has caused it to fall behind in the humanity-based competition.
This is proven by the fact that the progressive, passive philosopher Mohandas Gandhi was prevalent in India during the early 1900's, and yet America still has not become synonymous with his peaceful intentions.
This blog will focus on John Locke's theory and the Declaration of Independence as compared to the attempts made by Gandhi in a third world country.
Locke's Theory
John Locke (1632-1704) spoke of "Life, Liberty and Property" for every man. This quote from Locke is used to describe the freedom an American man can enjoy. However, Locke's attempts to make these necessary aspects of an enjoyable life available have not prevailed between his time and now.
The lower class of Britain and America have seen hardships since the beginning of the Caste system, with obvious drops in quality of life in times like the Great Depression. Although it is widely believed that Locke is correct in saying that life, liberty and property (often changed to life liberty and happiness), the lower class is still oppressed and receives a lack of opportunities. (Haberman, 75)
The Declaration of Independence
"WE hold these Truths to be self evident that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.." (BrightHub Education)
This quote is heavily influenced by John Locke's Second Treatise of Government, but is an edited version with the pursuit of happiness instead of property. This quote also helped the movement of freedom of slaves because the slave trade went against the 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th amendments.
Although the Declaration assisted in the freeing of slaves, the amendments have been more constantly ignored when it comes to the rights of oppressed men in the modern age.
Mohandas Gandhi's Impact
In comparison to modern day America, Mahatma Gandhi urged Britain to leave India without quarrel and held civil rights movements.
Considering India is an ancient country built on war and separation which has been oppressed and conquered countless times, it is quite a feat to become such a peaceful nation since its birth.
The British police arrested Gandhi many times, and the first time he negotiated his way out of jail peacefully. After this he took initiative to build schools and institutions in the slums of his beloved country. He was arrested multiple times afterwards for causing political unrest, fasting every time with the intention of embarrassing the force with his death while incarcerated.
His work in civil rights inspired the people of India to become their own nation without riot. Not only did he created peace for the country of India, but 20 years after his death, he created an impact for the United States as well by being an idol for Martin Luther King Jr. and his work on civil rights for African Americans. (LiveScience.com)
To summarize, it is evident that Mohandas Gandhi was a self aware advocate for his time period. As a forward thinker in the early 1900's, his work still inspires the ever changing climate of American racism today. However, with the lack of forward movement in the United States, it is clear that Gandhi and India were ahead of America in the sense of equality, acceptance and quality of life for all, not just the upper classes.
Prediction
It may take decades to first remove the hatred and inequality in America, and second recover from the pain the minorities have dealt with for generations. There are many groups and populations unwilling to sway from their beliefs that the word minority is equivalent to low class. Because of this, it is increasingly hard for those "minority" groups to stand up and be heard by those with power. America needs another advocate like Martin Luther King jr or Malcom X in order to make a large social shift in the near future. Otherwise, the turmoil happening will only worsen.
Recently, parades like the Gay Pride Parade have created a positive impact on America and the level of acceptance. Understanding for those suffering from AIDS, for prison families and for transition families has become more common. However, it seems that the more minorities are revealed and celebrated, the more violent the negative reaction can be. I believe that a safe and proper environment will not be presented until the tipping point has been reached, and acceptance will fall either way. Hopefully in the near future things will change for the better, because it seems that tipping point is just over the horizon, especially for African Americans.
www.freerepublic.com
www.loc.gov
www.popularresistance.org
Works Cited:
"Declaration of Independence." Library of Congress. Congress of America, n.d.
Web. 15 June 2015. <http://www.loc.gov>.
Ferguson. Community table. Athlon Media Group, n.d. Web. 15 June 2015.
<http://www.communitytable.com>.
"Gandhi's Peaceful Protest- Image." Popular Resistance. Popular Resistance, n.d.
Web. 15 June 2015. <http://www.popularresistance.org>.
Haberman, Arthur. The West and the World. Toronto: Gage Learning, 2002. Print.
"Martin Luther King." Live Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2015.
<http://www.livescience.com>.
Robinson, John. "Baltimore Headlines." Free Republic. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June
2015. <http://www.freerepublic.com>.
What Becca is saying is true there is still a struggle for equality in America for minorities, there is many issues but they constantly try to hide them and move like everything is just fine. I feel it is a lack of effort on many parts to switch this cycle that has been going on for years. "There are many groups and populations unwilling to sway from their beliefs that the word minority is equivalent to low class." Becca is right we have a stigma that is put on minorites that there criminals and are low on the todem pole but is there anything that could possibly be done to change that? Who knows but that doenst mean we gotta stop making moves for change because every little push for equality helps and there is no doubt in my mind that with more of a push we can slowly get to where everyone is free one day.
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