May 23, 2011 Response - Equality

        Whether or not we want to admit it, the struggle towards equality and democracy in America as been a constant battle for centuries. Jefferson, de Crevecoeur, Paine, and Wheatley all depict the fight towards equality in eighteenth century America.

        Jefferson’s famous “Declaration of Independence” utilized powerful wording and logical reasoning to break down the meaning of equality in America. He conceives equality and democracy as a natural right of life. Everyone is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” meaning that everyone has the right to be free within society without oppressive restrictions. He then lists everything that Great Britain has done wrong in going against that unalienable right to freedom: taxing without consent, pushing laws that no one agrees with, “obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners,” and discriminating against migration and the Natural Law that “all men are created equal.” According to Jefferson, Great Britain is “deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity,” and it is the job of the American people to abolish this notion and destroy governmental regulations that do not abide by the Natural Law. He also acknowledges religion, stating “the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them,” meaning that God intended for every person on earth to have the right to freedom. Jefferson closes his speech with the line, “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor,” indicating that God is on their side and that revolting against the tyrannical Great Britain is beneficial in God’s eyes. How else do you all feel that religion played a role here? What do you think about including religion in a persuasive message in general?

        De Crevecoeur, as a French aristocrat, had an interesting view of equality in America. In his letters, he was shocked that “the rich and poor are not so far removed from each other, as they are in Europe.” In America, “each person works for himself.” Equality and democracy, in this case, means having the ability to pursue the American Dream despite your family or background, which was a shock to someone coming from Europe, where class and societal standing defines who you are and what you do for a living. De Crevecoeur writes, “Here they become men: in Europe they were as so many useless plants, wanting vegetative mould….” He also references the pilgrims, stating “Americans are the western pilgrims, who are carrying along with them that great mass of arts, sciences, vigor, and industry.” He is shocked at how progressive America has become, and that there is such a “melting pot” of variety in terms of people. He also describes equality in terms of religion, by writing “As Christians, religion curbs them not in their opinions; the general indulgence leaves every one to think for themselves in spiritual matters; the laws inspect our actions, our thoughts are left to God” (58). This was my favorite line of all his letters. It really depicts the progression of religion in America, emphasizing the fact that the religion you follow does not hinder or improve your chances in anything you do – it is irrelevant – the way it should be. You have the right to practice any spiritual path you choose. De Crevecoeur even references Great Britain to hell, which I was pretty surprised about! He writes, “the severity of climate” and “tempestuousness of the sea,” as if Great Britain were some sort of hell that was not accepted by God (99). One of the best lines in de Crevecoeur’s letters was when he stated that he “does not feel the perpetual collision of parties” (75). I think this shows the diversity and equality in America: how everyone is allowed to hold their own beliefs without fear.
        Paine’s “The Crisis” used powerful language to ensure that God is on their side in the fight towards equality. He states that Great Britain thinks they can “bind us in all cases whatsoever,” yet “so unlimited a power can only belong to God,” indicating Great Britain’s mistake and need for transformation. Paine releases his ‘secret’, “that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leaves them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method that wisdom could invent.” I think this is Paine’s most important line because it logically reasons that fighting for equality is what God would want and that he will not let them lose this battle. Paine also states that if you “show your faith by your works” then “God may bless you,” repeating the fact that fighting for their rights will please God. Equality according to Paine is being free from Great Britain’s tyranny and making democratic decisions for America.

        Lastly, Wheatley’s poem depicts an African American moving to America and her views on equality. She interestingly enough identifies herself with white Americans, which I’m honestly confused about. Does anyone have any ideas why she would do this? It’s almost as though she sees slavery as a positive thing that happened to her. Yet then again, she mocks how people say, “their color is a diabolic die,” referencing African Americans with the devil. I think Wheatley’s definition of equality is no discrimination based off of skin color. Religion is a big part of this because Wheatley clearly states that she is Christian by referencing God and the Savior, which perhaps serves as her pathway to equality.

        I think that our contemporary notions of equality in America are similar to the authors in the sense that here in America, thanks to our education system, we have the opportunity to become who we want and pursue jobs/careers without worrying about discrimination based off of class, gender, or color (something that de Crevecoeur emphasized). However, I do feel that we have not reached full potential in terms of equality. I still, unfortunately, notice racism, and I still know people who are prejudice to those who do not have the same religion. We have progressed, but clearly have a long way to go.