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.
from the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence
That is what they wrote, our founding fathers, back in the early days of this nation. This is still a part of the foundation of this country. Of course we must remember that back then for all didn't really mean for everyone. Owning slaves was a legal and accepted circumstance back in those days. Property owners were heavily invested in and dependent on the slave trade. In order to gain the votes needed to make the Constitution a reality, this meant Southern Landowner votes, the liberty and justice of a large amount of people were ignored..for the common good. The beginnings of an acceptance that still holds on today.
Laws do exist, hard won laws, that outlaw discrimination. There is affirmative action that gives equal opportunity for study, employment and housing. Outward signs from the media include political correctness that strives to show how open and tolerant we are to those who are different from us. It would seem that we have become enlightened and have grasped the thought that we are all equal members of one race...the human race...regardless of the color of skin or where in the economic or religious sphere we hail from. Unfortunately these outward signs don't run down deep are only on the surface. In the hearts of men and women there are still invisible barriers steadfastly in place that hold the belief that one skin color or one religion or one economic state is superior to another. These are beliefs that are deeply ingrained in the fabric of our country and have been allowed to fester by both those in power who know that division of peoples means less strength of the people and by the common man who by his nature simply does not want to rock the boat.
Racism is brought about by the environment you are raised in, or fear of difference or the unknown, or the idea that one man is superior to another because of his race or religion. It is still a very real problem that this country faces today. It has lurked in the background long enough and should be brought out into the light of day for true study and discussion. Only then could the root causes be broken down and abolished. Only then would the words of our beloved Constitution be fully recognized:
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.
