The first human rights organization was
established in the United States in 1776 when the Thirteen Colonies
declared their independence from England. The second sentence of the
Declaration of Independence, the foundation of American human rights,
reads …
"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.”
What a wonderful, all-inclusive
statement of rights it was! Or was it?
Let's consider the fact that the
Declaration made no provisions of equality for races such as African
slaves and Native-American “savages,” for women, for the
disabled, for the young, or for those of other gender identities. In
truth, the statement of rights extended only to a segment of the
privileged white population of the time.
Over the last 240 years a multitude has
given their time, effort, and even their lives to defend, refine, and
re-define American human rights – human rights intended for all,
not just for some. Early on, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of
Rights (1791) helped establish a broader interpretation of equality
in the United States. And, the struggle in pursuit of unalienable
rights continues.
Because the attainment of rights is
ongoing, the struggle for life, liberty, and happiness in America is
perpetual. By its very nature, independence requires the utmost
attention and nurturing from those charged to strive toward its lofty
ideals. As long as even a few people are oppressed in America, no one
lives in a state of equality. “All created equal” are words
unshackled by limitation.
How difficult is it to guarantee human
rights?
Consider that specific human rights
include the following:
* The right to due process of law,
* The rights to freedom of thought,
expression, religion, organization, and movement,
* The right to freedom from
discrimination on the basis of race, religion, age, language, and
sex,
* The right to basic education,
* The right to employment, and
* The right to property.
Are these human rights guaranteed to
all in the United States? Presumably, yes. Are they given freely to
all? I think not. Consider the poor, the aged, the LGBT community,
racial minorities, refugees.
People can be
quick to criticize less-fortunate individuals. Some bristle about
“politically correct” language as being too sensitive. Some claim
the government and courts extend too many privileges to those who
don't deserve them – for example, they despise those who receive
welfare or similar state assistance. These people argue that certain
minorities – races, ages, economic groups – should not be
protected as equals because they do not “do their fair share.”
There are those who even defame and maliciously stereotype struggling
people as criminals.
Lately it seems
there are more and more of those who think that taking away liberty
and equality from those unlike themselves is in order. They feel
empowered to judge others who hold different opinions as “unworthy.”
They even wish to impose restrictions upon the “bad” people
because they are disgusted at their own lack of privilege or because
they think single interpretations of “moral behavior” and
“religious belief” must be mandatory for all people.
Conservative
evangelicals now represent one of the most vocal groups in judgment.
The vast majority of them wish to take away rights to abortion, to
gender identities, to gay marriage, and to separation of church and
state. Many have a narrow view of accepted “family life,”
immigration, and substance use. Although this group claims they are
being persecuted for their beliefs, they lobby for governmental
restrictions on those they deem incorrect. They see anything opposing
them as lawless and Godless.
The
amazing irony of the religious right is that by voting for a
conservative ideological agenda, they have actually hurt the poor,
resisted immigration reform, promoted endless foreign wars, and
neglected the environment. How can their efforts to marginalize and
demonize others extend equality in America?
God bless the masses of gullible, poor
people in the Evangelical movement who are so frustrated in their
efforts to be recognized that they have become unhinged and turned
toward idolizing rich, privileged, controlling interests … but …
it is time for truly “good” folks to wash from their eyes the
anger and resentment of others and to join movements to advance human
rights for all.
If enough people follow certain narrow
interests, I fear a stagnant, ultra-right nation will develop;
it will then be a place where the privileged choke any and all hopes
of unalienable rights from dissenters. Right now so many struggle
every day for their share of life, liberty, and happiness. Shouldn't
it be our mission to uplift those in need instead of attempting to
mold them into forms that fulfill our own visions of independence? No
one wants to strive toward an American delusion, rather they wish to
fulfill their birthright of an American Dream.
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