Week 7 Primary Assignment

Week 7 Primary Assignment

[Name of the Writer]

[Name of the Institution]

Week 7 Primary Assignment

Introduction

Thomas Jefferson stated that "All men are created equal" the meaning of this sentence can be perceived exactly as they were stated. However when compared with the life of Thomas Jefferson and the general history then it can be seen that the word "men" here is referred to a specific ethnic group, the white men. At that time only white men had all the right, and even white women had no access to all the rights. With the passing time meaning of statement has been evolved, and now it includes all men regardless of their race. Thomas Jefferson's idea of equality has been achieved, but it is different than the initial perception.

Discussion

The perception and logic behind the statement "All men are created equal" is not easy to understand and it needs to be compared with the different part of American history for a proper meaning. The idea statement has been evolving with time, and it is quite evident that the perception of these words was entirely different at that time. Unlike the past, the statement now includes men and women of all races, but in its original form, it was intended for the white men. Women were not part of this movement this statement as well. The life of Thomas Jefferson has proven that black people were not part of this statement. Thomas Jefferson had many slaves in his house, and only some were given freedom after his death which also included one of his black mistress (Cohen, 1965). The life of Thomas Jefferson and the history of that time makes it quite evident that white men were the only one that could fit the statement. The statement and life of Thomas Jefferson contradict each other, but when the words are taken in general, then it involves all humans.

America achieved the freedom the intended freedom of Thomas Jefferson's words on the day of its independence. However when the evolved and recent interpretation of the statement is taken into the context, then the intended freedom was nonexistent in immediately after the independence. America has to struggle for a long time to finally get the freedom that the statement holds per the modern interpretation of it.

America is taking everyone in equal regards regardless of their ethnicity or religion. There is discrimination pointed at specific groups of people in American society, but the laws of America treat all the citizens equally regardless of their ethnicity, gender or religion. The discrimination that exists in the American culture is limited to the people, and this discrimination is the violation of laws. The laws of the United States have been modified to a significant degree which has given equal rights to everyone. America fought the Civil War to end slavery so that everyone can enjoy the freedom that they deserve regardless of their skin color (Franklin, 1988). Even after the Civil War black, people were still not able to test the real freedom, and they had to start their struggle of freedom. America has promoted the equal right, have established the ground rules in both social as well as economic regulations for all the citizen. The area of education have also, and it is proving equal education for everyone. People have the right to appeal and can defend themselves regardless of their origin. On the national level, America has successfully given equal rights to everyone. The discrimination that exists is not due to the policy of government policies but rather the general public.

Conclusions

The statement "All men are created equal" is evolving with time. The statement now includes all the humans and perceive them as equal regardless of their gender, race or religion. The life of Thomas Jefferson was contradictory to his statement. America has taken significant steps in providing equal rights to everyone and the improvement that has occurred over the year is a tremendous achievement. Though there is discrimination in American society, it is limited to the people themselves, and the laws are not supporting them. America has achieved equality according to the new perception of equality.

References

Cohen, W. (1969). Thomas Jefferson and the problem of slavery. The Journal of American History, 56(3), 503-526.

Franklin, J. H., & Moss, A. A. (1988). From slavery to freedom. New York: Knopf.