In most countries, many people never get to taste the sweet taste of freedom. Many people have to fight for their rights; their freedom. From the authors of the iconic, “I Have A Dream,” speech, to the emotional “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution,” to finally the courageous “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses,” story. All of these passages show determination, hardships, but overall, hope. I believe that freedom is not given in most situations, but demanded.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous speech, “I Have A Dream,” on August 28, 1963, explains that negroes should have the same rights as whites. He explains, “One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the Manacles of Segregation and the Chains of …show more content…
Brille, the prisoner who wore glasses, is harshly treated by the new and horrid warden, Jacobus Hannetjie by stealing. However, a few weeks in with the new warden, Brille catches Hannetjie stealing fertilizer from the work camp’s shed, Hannetjie bribes Brille with tobacco to keep him quiet. However, Brille, after a few days, thinks of his decision of keeping quiet and decides to tell on Hannetjie and try for a better warder. After Hannetjie confessed to his crime, he is sent back to Span One. Instead of Brille being intimidated by Hannetjie, it is the other way around; Brille picking on and teasing Hannetjie. Soon, Hannetjie strikes up a deal; If you will help me steal fertilizer and other items for his farm, he will be a better …show more content…
Near the end of the excerpt, Hannetjie explains to Brille the stress that he is giving. He explains, “‘Brille,’ he said. ‘This thing between you and me must end. You may not know it but I have a wife and children and you’re driving me to suicide.’” After, Brille and Hannetjie make a deal: Hannetjie will become a better warder, and Span One will help him steal for his farm. In the end, Span One gets an excellent warder, and Hannetjie gets help stealing from the best thieves in the camp; Span One.
In America, people think that freedom is automatically given to them. Technically, it is; the “Declaration of Independence” states that, “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.” However, there are still many people who do not have these rights the declaration presents. As shown in these three short stories, people are separated by their color, race, and religion. Whites and others are “Ranked higher,” than others who are not.
All in all, these accounts teach valuable lessons: Treat others fairly, and if you must, fight for your freedom and