Tyler Clementi vs. Daharun Ravi- Bullie Into Suicide... or Not?

The most common phrase in America today is “Home of the Free”. When America first started out in the Colonies the above quote was probably very true. As time has passed through the centuries, America has felt the need to regulate and reduce the freedom that our founding fathers had intentionally planned for us. Such things as religion, reproductive rights, Native Americans and their rights, and marriage rights are being marginalized. These rights could be considered private matters that the government shouldn’t get involved with and probably rightly so.

Throughout history, there have been widespread changes of what it means to be an American. Today, everything is about gratification and pleasure. One can do whatever they want to someone, but they dare not do it back. Anything

Has America always been true to its ideals of freedom reigning throughout its people and diverse culture? Throughout history the relationship as well as interactions between Native Americans and eager-faced settlers have been at the least discriminatory. "America the land of the free, home of the brave," this iconic line has seemed to be America's anthem time and time again. Throughout the periods and trials involving Native Americans and other settlers, this theme has seemed contrary in the Indians eyes.

Americans have continued to work hard every day to ensure we keep the freedoms we have fought so hard for. Fifteen states from the early America, that’s 56 signatures from many important people during that time, all agreed that we were born with “unalienable rights,” rights that no one could ever take away or deny. “All men are created equal,” they all have the same rights and power any other person has, and that’s because of the Declaration of Independence. Because of the rights the Declaration of Independence has given us, it is by far the most compelling to American citizens today because it continues to ensure that we are granted the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Due to this we also hold the power to abolish any form of government that wishes to remove these rights, for when we know what freedom tastes like we will do anything to ensure we keep that freedom.

Many people from the United States hold the belief that being gay is something that has always been considered to be okay. They believe that it is just a given. Despite people’s current beliefs on the subject, for a very long time, it was something that was widely believed to be taboo. In the past, people were imprisoned due to their sexuality. Regardless, throughout the decades, people have pushed for the widespread acceptance of people who are part of the LGBT community. Today, homophobia still exists in some parts of the United States, but we have come a long way since the early 1900s.

Americans had always had the mindset of being free individuals and doing what they please, just how it is now, but it was not always that way. When the colonists were under British authority they had very few rights, but did not care much until after the French Indian War when they started enforcing the laws. Even though political, economic, and social factors justified the American fight for independence, they still were not completely justified. The British were flexible before the French Indian War, but after it when they began to enforce laws more, the colonists began to feel the pressure. It is reasonable because they had not been used to such restrictions.

To be an American, means to me, that you are accepting of the differences around you; however, we as Americans are not very good at accepting those who do not agree with us. In an article,a publisher for NBC News, quoted a leading crimes researcher who stated, “hate crimes in nine U.S. metropolitan areas rose more than 20 percent last year, fueled by inflamed passions during the presidential campaign and more willingness for victims to step forward.” Many believe being an American means you have freedom, but what freedom? Freedom of speech? Freedom of Religion? The other “freedoms” stated in the Bill of Rights? How true can that be if those around you are so quick to go as far as harming others just for being different. Americans often hide behind their right to freedom of speech to be demeaning, but

America was known for its democratic government but most importantly seen for its freedom, shown in Document D, “...no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry...but that

We have come a long way from the publication of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In hopes of change, colonies came together to declare independence against the British King for his indictments. The Declaration of Independence was made entirely opposing the Kings unfair motives, injustice of systems, and the absence of public services. For which these opposing actions towards the king, was the general idea to become the American Dream. That dream consists of equality, justice, and freedom. The dream of freedom is for everyone to say and do as they please regardless of sexual preference, religious believes, race and body image. Freedom is opportunities to educate oneself, to better them and their children’s future. But after

Throughout the course of history, the identity of humans has greatly evolved. Facial structure, hair color, height, and clothing style are just some of the factors that have changed in a specific race or ethnicity. As time progressed, new generations of humans expressed various customs and beliefs unique to the previous generation, leading to the evolution in their identity. This is the same with Americans and how they ended up forming such a distinct identity, even if they were of European descent. Especially during the second half of the 18th century, the definition of being “American” has changed and evolved due to disagreements and resentment towards the British government, of which the Revolutionary War, the formation of various organizations,

In the article ‘Calgary man shows medical record as proof of election night assault’, by Aaron Chatha, Chris Ball recounts his attack that occurred on November 8th 2016, and has now provided the public with medical records indicating the treatment he received as a result. Since Mr. Ball has come forward with the details of the attack, there has been public outcry in regards to the assailants justifying their actions as they attacked Mr. Ball. Following the attack, the Santa Monica Police Department issued a statement. Within the statement police allude that Chris Ball was drinking at a bar where everyone was watching the election. As the polls began to come in people started shouting homophobic slurs, where Mr. Ball got into it with his attackers.

On account of the rights conceded by the First Amendment, Americans can live in a nation where they can uninhibitedly convey what needs be, talk their psyche, supplicate without impedance, dissent in peace and where their feelings are thought about, which is something very few different nationalities have the fortune of

Despite the United States having great ideals of freedom and exemplifying this throughout history there have been moments where

There was an encounter mentioned in Marriage Equality USA’s report, “Prop 8 Hurt My Family – Ask Me How” that came from San Diego County. What struck me (besides the encounter taking place in our area.) was how the harasser was described. The quote describes that while at a rally against Prop 8, “[…] one man drove by several times with four boys in [a] car shouting [obscenities] and flashing their middle

Most Americans place their pride in being apart of a country where a man can start at the bottom and work his way to the top. We also stress the fact that we are “all created equal” with “certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (Jefferson 45) During the early 1900s white Americans picked and chose who they saw fit to live in America and become an American. “Those that separate the desirable from the undesirable citizen or neighbor are individual rather than race.”