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America Today
America always celebrates 4th of July 1776 as the day of Independence. The reality of this independence was actualized through the Declaration, a statement by the Second Continental Congress announcing that the thirteen American colonies that had been embroiled in war with Great Britain now considered themselves sovereign, independent states (Armitrage 48). Under John Adams leadership, Thomas Jefferson was chosen to compose the document draft. In summary, the declaration was an explanation of why the thirteen states had decided to break away from Great Britain (Eicholz 124). In this declaration, their grievances and feelings of oppression were carefully laid out. In addition, the declaration detailed the direction that the states had decided to take in regards to democracy and political structure. These thirteen would later merge into the United States of America.
Today, America holds the great words in high esteem. Of particular importance is the declaration that all men are created eequal and that they are entitled to certain inalienable rights, among them the right to life, the pursuit of happiness, and liberty (Eicholz, 36). This particular statement has become a popular point of focus in American politics. Abraham Lincoln famously integrated it into his philosophy as have other leading American political leaders. This declaration is the foundation of American democracy and prosperity. The Bill of Rights has been the cornerstone of the political and judicial progress across the nation. It brings into focus the fight for independence and the sequential progress that the country has made over the years. Today, the Declaration is the main enabler of interactions among people in the American society and integration of people with diverse backgrounds at various levels.
This Declaration clearly continues to guide the nation towards greater freedom of speech and better governance (Cullen 80). It gives the people the freedom and power to direct their government along the path of truth, justice and fairness. If the government turns out to be unfit, then the people have a responsibility to effect the required change. Without a doubt, America is arguably the most accommodating country given its people’s diversity in terms of cultures, religions and ethnicities. This is not to say that cases of discrimination or oppression have been completely eliminated. Rather, it means that diversity is the country’s main point of strength, with efforts having been made throughout its history to promote legal protection for minority groups. For example, a lot of focus is on the fight against racial discrimination whose major victims are minority groups, including African Americans, native tribes, Hispanics and immigrants.
As a student from China attending a community college in America, I can say that this Declaration has contributed to my ability to access to social amenities despite my immigrant status. After outlining the grievances that America held against the colonialists, they pledged to separate from Britain and declare that they would treat them as they do other nations (Tsesis 67). Even though America has since been able to establish itself as a powerful and independent nation, it has continued to protect the rights those who migrate there from other nations like myself.
Nevertheless, as much as America has been able to uphold its beliefs in democracy, freedoms and liberty, the accountability system for its leaders has largely deteriorated. The general population has been overburdened by excessive alienation by legal system and exclusion from public policy making. A common form of manifestation of this problem is through public infrastructural projects. There are numerous and growing cases of projects that involve the resources and lands belonging to indigenous people whose consent was not sought beforehand. The country’s leadership, therefore, continues to portray a strong element of corruption, and this only makes America to risk drifting away from the principles outlined in the Declaration.
As a native Chinese, I must acknowledge, though, that the democracy and rights accorded to the American people are truly inspirational. Often cited as a model of international democracy, America offers a model other countries can use as a benchmark for fostering democratic governance. At the same time, it is important to emphasize the need for Americans to remain true to the ideals contained in the Declaration through reforms that will ensure that the country’s democracy remains strong.
Works Cited
Armitage, David. The Declaration of Independence: A Global History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 2007. Print.
Cullen, Jim. The American Dream: AShort History of an Idea that Shaped a Nation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2003. Print.
Eicholz, Hans. Harmonizing Sentiments: The Declaration of Independence and the Jeffersonian Idea of Self-Government. New York: Peter Lang. 2001. Print.
Tsesis, Alexander. For Liberty and Equality: The Life and Times of the Declaration of Independence. New York: Oxford University Press. 2012. Print.
