A new look at the Declaration of Independence
By: An Unnamed American
Tags: Protest, George Floyd, America, Trump, Revolution

Almost 250 years after the founding fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, and formally severed ties with the British monarchy, America has failed to fulfill its duties as a nation. The declaration famously declares:

“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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

While the founding fathers were far from perfect men, many of them slave-owners and racists as was common at the time, the Declaration of Independence and subsequent Constitution was a step in the right direction. In heeding their message, it becomes clear that it is once again time for the governed to revoke our consent.

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness are not rights that the United States government has allowed everyone in this country. People of color, lower classes, immigrants, women, and Native Americans have all been denied in some way these most basic rights which we are allegedly all endowed by our Creator. Allow me to highlight a few examples of our government’s cruelty-

The constant murder of unarmed black people at the hands of police.

The criminalization of even harmless drugs as a way to incarcerate minorities en masse.

Involvement in the importation of crack cocaine to black communities, leading to an epidemic of addiction, followed by harsher sentencing for crack related crimes than cocaine related crimes. (Despite the fact that they are the same drug, cocaine is more commonly used by the rich and the white.)

The use of redlining to segregate black people in a way that would long outlive legal segregation.

The funding of schools in a way that provides those that are already privileged a higher quality education than underprivileged children in communities with less opportunities available to them.

The failure to stop higher education institutions from raising tuition to an impossibly high amount, so that students must put themselves into debt to earn a degree, so that they can have a chance at finding a decent job. An educated democracy is a strong democracy and that is not in the best interests of the government.

The failure to justify or stop the Iraq War, which has cost the taxpayers of this nation trillions.

The shortage of medical supplies needed for a global health crisis, while there is no shortage of bullets in the guns of militarized police officers.

The refusal to guarantee healthcare to everyone in this nation, despite that being obtainable and commonplace in other countries of our status.

The cowardice shown by every single member of the House of Representatives, Senate, and Executive branch when accepting bribes and bending to corporate interests over the best interests of the American people.

The absolute failure to even accept the dangers that a changing climate presents to our citizens’ wellbeing, the global wellbeing, and every economy around the world’s wellbeing. Despite desperate counsel from experts, the government has not discontinued the use of dangerous fossil fuels, contributing irreparably to global emissions.

The failure to make adequate reparations for slavery.

The historic and continued prosecution of Native Americans for the purpose of unjustly seizing their land.

The unjust murder of incalculable amounts of innocent human beings at the hands of the police, the FBI, the CIA, and all of the armed forces.

The accumulation of powers by carefully calculated and unjust drawing of congressional districts around black communities, to ensure their votes matter the least.

The inherent lack of representation that comes from a system that only allows two political parties to exist.

The failure to require the richest individuals and corporations to pay their taxes. (They have with ease hidden their assets offshore and avoided paying their fair share)

This list is incomplete and with research one could find infinite occasions of the United States imposing insufferable evils. Every day new usurpations amass and it has become painfully apparent that there is no easy way to resolve this. The protests and rebellions occurring across the country understand the pain of our nation, in fact most of them occur in the very heart of it. It is time for the individuals who have for too long suffered to come to terms with the fact that our country is not what it pretends to be. Despite the propaganda from the government and media we have grown up surrounded by, we must wake up. America is destructive of our unalienable rights, and it is about time we follow the advice of our founding fathers and begin to make things right. Organize, America, and let us begin the fight of our lives. For a better future.