The United States of America makes great claims about freedom. We are the land of the free, a nation of free peoples, but in reality we are not the freest nation in our world. According to the Legatum Institute 's’ Prosperity Index from 2015, we are ranked eleventh in the world (LI Prosperity Index). This ranking is based on economics, education, health, safety, and personal freedoms to name a few (LIPI). Though this is just one charity’s opinion on the matter, it does bring into question what it means to be truly free. Is it having the choice to do whatever you want, whenever you want? Or is it by choosing to do the right thing, no matter what the consequence is for you?
As stated in Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948- “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”(Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948). As a member of the United Nation, the United States of America signed this document knowing full well that at the time we did not abide by this first right. As a nation, we hindered the rights of others based on the color of their skin. Black Americans were not truly equal to White Americans at this time. The South was ruled by Jim Crow …show more content…
Considering that as a nation the United States claimed it was following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, when it was in fact not, how can we trust what we have been taught about freedom? The answer is unclear to me, as it seems that in theory we are attempting to be a free nation, yet on paper there is constant evidence we are not. After a year’s worth of white police officers shooting and killing Black Americans, and the Charleston Church Massacre which was apparently instigated by white supremacists, it would appear that United States citizens are realizing just how grim race relations are in their country (New York Times). If a country cannot even follow its own laws and rights, what can be said for
As stated in Article One of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948- “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”(Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948). As a member of the United Nation, the United States of America signed this document knowing full well that at the time we did not abide by this first right. As a nation, we hindered the rights of others based on the color of their skin. Black Americans were not truly equal to White Americans at this time. The South was ruled by Jim Crow …show more content…
Considering that as a nation the United States claimed it was following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, when it was in fact not, how can we trust what we have been taught about freedom? The answer is unclear to me, as it seems that in theory we are attempting to be a free nation, yet on paper there is constant evidence we are not. After a year’s worth of white police officers shooting and killing Black Americans, and the Charleston Church Massacre which was apparently instigated by white supremacists, it would appear that United States citizens are realizing just how grim race relations are in their country (New York Times). If a country cannot even follow its own laws and rights, what can be said for