Vision Achieved by Jefferson

A Vision Achieved

Jefferson envisioned a government that allowed its

citizens to exercise inalienable rights. In exact words,

he states, " We hold these truths to be self-evident, that

all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their

Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these

are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." To be

more evident, how can we define these "inalienable rights"

of "life", "liberty", and the "pursuit of happiness?" Have

these inalienable rights, achieved Jefferson's goal? I am

convinced, Jefferson's revolutionary vision of life,

liberty, and happiness has at last been achieved in

America.

Life is a precious gift given to us the moment we are

born and Thomas Jefferson knew this. We can define life as

having respect for ourselves and others, accepting our

individuality, not judging certain groups or individuals,

and being able to exercise our morals and beliefs. Living

in America, we are allowed to live these rights of "life".

The United States has become a very diverse nation. In

being so diverse, the lives and beliefs of many different

cultures here in America are accepted. One major example,

is religion. Jews and Arabs, who are enemies in there

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countries, live in the United States in harmony. Another

example are the Muslims and Hindu's, who hate and kill

each other in their countries, and yet can live in America

side by side in peace because of Thomas Jefferson's vision

of "Life". I come from a very diverse background. My

father, who is a Palestinian, married my mother, who is

Guatemalan. This issue here is that my father, living the

life of following his own cultural beliefs and not being

able to marry unless a wife is chosen for him, went on to

marry my mother. This is easily attainable in the United

States but in his country it would be unacceptable. Life

is complicated! Our values, morals, and attitudes justify

our lives and how we live our life.

Freedom of slavery, captivity, or any other form of

arbitrary control can help define the right of "Liberty".

We have the right to not feel confined, but permitted to

act freely. My Grandfather, who lived in Guatemala, was

shot, by guerrilla terrorists, because of his political

beliefs and defending his homestead. Today, we the people,

have the right to speak freely, express our most intimate

thoughts on political or even sexual preferences without

being shot or even having the fear of being shot. A great

example of "Liberty" was displayed by Martin Luther King.

He was the greatest leader of the black movement in the

50's and 60's. If it wasn't for Thomas Jefferson's idea of

the inalienable right of "Liberty", Martin Luther King

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would have never have had the chance to lead his people to

freedom with the same idea. The Constitution of the United

States has been the supreme law of this nation since