Investigating The Promised Land

Despite our founding principle that “all men are created equal” (Jefferson), American life isn’t characterized by equality or fairness. Although we acknowledge that each member of humanity bears equal value, we fail to provide them with such equality in life. Racism and anti-immigrant sentiment are two factors that prevent America from being equal. Frederick Douglass identified this gap between value and reality for Americans when he found himself “not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary” (¶3) of the Fourth of July, “a day that reveals to [the American

America is a nation “from many, one” as stated in our country’s original motto. We pride ourselves on the granted equal opportunity and freedom afforded to each citizen. But are these premises held true and adequately carried out? My answer is a resounding no! Our country’s intricate history provides us with the foundation that explains why and how discrimination has infiltrated and given the upper hand to the white race that has dominated the American society, while suppressing races of color. Dating back to the discovery of the new world we know as the contemporary United States, the African American race has been segregated and mistreated as exemplified through

Throughout America’s history, we have believed that humans have individual rights that should be protected and supported by the rulers of our country. The Constitution’s Bill of Rights was created to protect these rights, and the Declaration of Independence even proclaims that “all men are created equal”. However, there were hundreds of people scattered throughout the colonies, and then states, in America who did not have these same rights and were not always seen as human, such as African Americans, women, and Native Americans.

Our American belief that everyone is equal has given people hope, changed lives and helped people’s dreams come true Diana Pham was from communist Vietnam and lived as boat people trying to survive in their home country. Diana Pham her husband Vi Luu came to Chicago in 1980, the day she arrived she knew her family had endless opportunities to be whatever and whoever they wanted to be. “My daughters, like other Americans, had an equal opportunity to succeed. America has given our family the chance to become whatever we choose to become.” stated Diana Pham. America’s equality changed just one simple immigrant family from Vietnam and is changing so many other immigrants who risk their lives just to come to America and have an opportunity to be whoever and whatever they want to be.

America’s history is overrun with oppression and injustice based on race, ethnicity, and other traits that innocent victims have no control over. As a result, the reputation of the United States is forever tainted by it’s dark past, and still practices these surviving habits of hatred. Civil liberty issues faced since the establishment of the country have yet to be resolved because of the ever-present mistreatment, corruption in positions of authority, and the dehumanization of minorities.

“America needs to end racial injustice and make justice a reality for God’s children”(Martin Luther King Jr., 3).

In America, the land of the free, people believe that it’s the greatest place to be. And America would probably be what everyone believes, but it has a very serious problem that could eventually destroy the country as whole. America is built upon Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but it has a strong equality issue that has to be taken care of. Equality is a social contract in America and unfortunately it is a broken one. A social contract is an agreement amongst the members of a society, but equality is a serious issue. Equality poses the biggest problem to America simply because in any country the people make the country, and if the people can’t get along either internal conflicts occur, or people eventually leave. Throughout America everyone regardless of race, color, or sexual orientation has experienced inequality in some part of America. Words are exchanged, fists are thrown, and in serious cases lives are lost because people are racists to one another. Equality is a broken social contract in America that will eventually be its demise if not attended to.

The United States has made great innovations in the past century to ensure that all people have the same chances to better themselves. While steps have been taken to bring about equality from Roe v. Wade to legalizing same sex-marriage in every state still more can be done—especially in the field of racial inequality.

Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution were historical milestones in which the ever controversial topic of racial equality was first challenged. In theory, these two movements laid the groundwork for a racially equal United States of America. A country in which every member, regardless of skin color, or race were to be treated equally under the eyes of the law and to one day be treated as equals within all realms of society. As historic and powerful as these movements were, they did

In America we are constantly reminded of the idea of freedom and equality for every individual. It is not commonly acceptable to base a person’s stature in the community from their race, class, religion, or sexuality. The most powerful act that brought forth new standards of civil rights and equality privileges was the fourteenth amendment. One of the most highlighted aspects mentioned within the document is that no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny any person… the equal protection of the laws.” This simple statement has made an impact in today’s society. The equal protection of the law primarily draws from and requires equal treatment for all citizens in the United States, but

The Declaration of Independence declares, “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.” This document is part of the foundation which the American people stand upon. All men were said to be created equal, and while this was God’s intention, many people do not act this way when it comes to race relations. Many people treat people of color as if they are not equal to white people in almost all aspects of everyday life. Nikki Giovanni’s Chasing Utopia and Claudia Rankine’s Citizen have a meaningful conversation about what God’s intentions for race relations were, and what the world has made the social norm.

The way America as a whole handles integration and equality in society has been subject to some debate. It is not a debate of whether or not it is right or wrong, for that choice has already been made. In order for progress to occur, there needs to be equality. The debate lies in how equality and integration should be exercised effectively, so as to have our society be truly equal. Shelby Steel, in his article “The New Sovereignty”, does a successful attempt in explaining how current methods are not in favor of equality. A man of the civil rights movement, and a well-known commentator on race relations, Steele does a good job of illustrating to grievance groups that what is currently installed in the place of integration is in fact collective

The Lord has a way of bringing to pass His will with or without the help of man. One example of this is the preparation of this Promised Land to bring forth His Everlasting Gospel. You had inspired men and women who fought for their freedom, theirs and ours. We are blessed that they choose to do that because we have our freedoms today like freedom or religion, freedom of speech and so many more. The church was able to be restored in this nation all because of those inspired poeple.

Overall, it is extremely difficult to reach a mutual agreement, but under the right circumstances, it can happen. If Global Crosspower Solutions and the citizens in the rural town of Pennsylvania follow the negotiation techniques previously offered then an agreement can certainly take place. What is more, based on my observations of the conflict in Promised Land, I believe the best way for an agreement to take place is for Global to only be permitted to obtain land if the townspeople offer to sell it to them. It is their land and they should have a say in what happens with it. Though this agreement, Global cannot take everyone’s land, they must have the right to decide to sell it. Still, if someone decides to sell their land to Global they must first evaluate the effects that their decision will have on the fellow neighbors. If they decide that they can live with potentially harming themselves, their family, and their community they then have the right to sell their land.

And when we laid eyes on America, we first thought it was so polished and grand.