Today freedom and equality are guaranteed for you and people of all races, religions, and genders, according to the laws of the United States. Every citizen is guaranteed equal and fair treatment under the laws and freedom to openly express ideas. Every adult citizen is also guaranteed the right to vote. However, this was not always the case. When the Declaration of Independence was written, only white males could vote. Many groups in our country have had to fight long and hard to gain equality.
Take a few minutes and write about what freedom and equality means to you. Are these rights something you take for granted, or do you hold them precious? Comment on how you regard freedom and equality.
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Freedom and Equality are two of the most important things that make America, America. Before we discuss freedom and equality it is essential that we acknowledge that not every country shares this with us. America attracts a mass amount of immigrants because of the fact that freedom and equality are given to all. As we grow up in a country where these two essential characteristics are given to us, we tend to forget about the hardships our ancestors went through to guarantee us this right. On the day to day basis, freedom and equality are something I take for granted, and it is safe to say that most American citizens do too. When we see how good we have it and compare our conditions to those of other countries, that’s when we begin to see how precious it is. Because we live in a world where freedom & equality are handed to us, we tend to forget how important it is and how good we have it.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality is having a say in situations and treated just like your peers. No one wants to be unfairly judged or have someone be bias and prejudice towards them. They want the same equal respect. Freedom is a right that i had when I was born so I may take it a little for granted but no purposely. I was never not free so I can't say I hold very precious. I have read about people who were not free and what they had to go through and it makes me realize how lucky i am to be free. I hope no one goes through what those people went through. Even though people are free some still aren't treated equally. There is still racism and predjudice individuals in this world. Even cops are unfair and that is not freedom and equality. So, every one is free and equal.... to an extent
ReplyDeleteWhen people think about freedom, they think that they can do anything they want. Freedom and equality are two important things because freedom lets you express yourself and b e who you want to be and equality gives you the rights to do that. I think that everyone takes their rights for granted if not now they do it later. I also think that its good that everyone has rights because if we didn’t then they wouldn’t be no privacy. My thoughts about freedom and equality that everyone deserves it because it wouldn’t be right if only a certain of people had rights it would be like only male can vote for a president that’s wrong.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality to me is a very precious thing. I feel that without freedom and equality, we wouldn't be the same people we are today. I am very blessed to have this opportunity to be free and equal. So many people now adays take that and take full advantage of it. Other people from different countries move to America to become free and equal. But people who are already born into the U.S, they take advantage of that freedom and do to much. For example, an U.S citizen would not make use of themselves and use drugs all day. But the people who moves there have to work very hard and be careful of their where abounds before they are caught and sent back to where they are from. For that I take my Freedom and Equality very precious to me because not everyone gets that type of opportunity to be free and equal with the opposite gender.
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how something we don't think about any more than occasionally can make people act strong, yet be as precious as it is. I'm not going to lie, I do take freedom and equality for granted, but only because I've never had it taken away from me. If I lived in an African country right now, freedom would be on the top of my mind every waking moment. But alas, I don't. And barring an unforeseen change of address or change in the government, I likely will never know what it's like to fight for my freedom.
ReplyDeleteI think of freedom as having free reign over what one wants to do, without an oppressive leader controlling what to do. America is probably one of the best examples of freedom. While there is still restrictions in America, these are merely to avoid an anarchic atmosphere. Equality, however, is still very hard to come by. Even in today's world, unjust stereotypes exist, and these stereotypes shoehorn some of these people into vicious cycles, with these people never exiting the cycle just because they don't know how or don't have the opportunity to.
Freedom is having the right to be allowed to do something, unlike equality is when everyone has that right. Our concept of freedom is basically a free person that has the legal grant to do whatever he or she wants and not offensively harm people. Freedom does not include the legal right to limit other people's freedom because that would be illogical. Equality of opportunity means freedom to pursue one's private interest or career without illogical limitations based on irrelevant personal livelihood. Living in America, I could honestly say that I take freedom for granted because I haven’t yet to experience to work for and earn my liberty. Most Americans have not seen first hand the suffocation of freedom caused by Socialism. We all like driving our favorite cars, and like watching our flat screen TV’s, but we don’t realize what we are doing, and how other countries difficulties.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and Equality has been something important to a lot of people through out time and in history. It took such a long time to get other people than just "White Males" to be able to vote this including other races and the right to have women vote to. Really what freedom means to me is everyone can do what they want to have a good life for there family and for them self but at the same time follow the rules and the law that are out there. But Equality should mean everyone is equal of any race or gender anything which has gotten better as time has went on but there are still many things we see in our everyday life's were some people aren't getting treated equal or the rights everyone deserves! For me personally i don't take anything for granted in my life and equality and freedom is something i want to keep and i love because having freedom and equality means we are all equal and we are all free in a sense.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and Equality are two of the most important things in America. American's have been fighting for Freedom and Equality since the 1800's but still when the Declaration of Independence was written, only white males could vote meaning that they didn't want freedom and equality for all. Americans, especially youth, take our privileges for granted. Most countries don't have clean water are even restrooms, because we live in a world where freedom & equality are a given,it's sadly taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteJanae Bannerman
ReplyDeleteFreedom and Equality are two of the most important things in America. American's have been fighting for Freedom and Equality since the 1800's but still when the Declaration of Independence was written, only white males could vote meaning that they didn't want freedom and equality for all. Americans, especially youth, take our privileges for granted. Most countries don't have clean water are even restrooms, because we live in a world where freedom & equality are a given,it's sadly taken for granted.
Bryan Gonzalez
ReplyDeleteThe whole point of the Decleration of Independence is that the document would protect our rights and freedom, but what rights do we have? Freedom to me is having all the rights that everyone else would have, but no. We protest but the government has all the power and we're treated like slaves but we don't see it. Now I'm not saying that having the opportunity to go to school is bad, but we're forced to. There's curfews in cities and people murdering and getting away with it. Where's the protecting and freedom? Of course many take these laws for granted and do what they want so why don't they go make their own "utopia" and corrupt their own city? Schools pervert the minds of kids in middle school telling them to say the pledge of allegiance, but why say it everyday? It's a Pledge! Our "rights" are false facts and they always have been.
Freedom and Equality to me is a precious gift, that should be cherished by everyone. America fought to gain this, since 1763. Wars, and bloodshed happened to gain freedom and equality for the people. The U.S.A. today does not judge any race, and treats the people with equality, people fought for these rights, through protest, rebellions, and hard work, however people today tend to forget about the hardships that was brought against the people before this idea of Freedom and Equality, for example slavery, segregation, etc...Freedom is very important, no one has the power to control other people, the most important part of being free is the right to vote, every single citizen has a chance to decide who will be the right person to rule them under one nation. Equality is vital because no one is treated like they are in a lower class, everyone is being treated the same way as everyone else, and it also abolishes the idea that a man is supposed to be working to provide for the family, and a women is supposed to be at home, taking care of the home, and the kids. Freedom and Equality is really a precious thing, knowing the history that was involved for its creation, people should not take it as granted .
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality are one of the most important rights to have in this society. But even though the United States of America guaranty freedom and equality in the declaration of independence and other laws that were passed over the Course history some groups are not looked at equally in the eyes of another group, way they look, and religion. I view freedom and equality not guaranteed by a law or manifesto but by the people who surround you, for example your boss, your peer, your friends, your family, and yourself. People who surround you and they don’t have to know you who you are can treat you any way they feel, and If they don treat you equal then how you are free to do anything you want to do. Freedom and equality are so taken grated because some people who don’t even have that liberty don’t even know. People who have it don even take the time to use it to these whole potential, abuse it and belittle other people who are economically lower than them.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality means to have the space you get to live a comfortable life with laws in place that hold you accountable for you actions as they would hold the next person. Meaning everybody is equal and no one above the law, o one superior race over everybody else.i personally take this right for granted because Ive always lived in America and never where heavy laws have been forced upon the citizens. I can see why so many immigrants would try to sneak into America because of the rights and freedom we have that their country may not provide.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality means to me that it's your time to do what you want or you have the right to do what you want, something as simple as taking a time out from a long day at work or school or also being able to have the right to vote, etc. As for equality, that's treating everyone the same with no favortism involved.
ReplyDeleteI don't really take me freedom and equality for granted because they can easily be taken away. . . by my mom. If she decides to let me go out with my friends and tells me to be home by a certain time, I try to get back by that time so she'll let me go out again. For equality, I expect to be treated the same as my classmates (just an example) by our teacher.
I don't think anyone should take advantage of these things because now that we have it, it may be tough to take it away, yet it's not impossible.
- Christine
I say we all agree in being free and having equal rights, but yet there are so many problems people are facing today because they don't feel like they can live their life freely. For example, gays and lesbians. Many people cannot stand seeing or being around these certain people because of their different interests and lifestyles. In addition, these people aren't allowed to marry in certain states here in the United States, the country of "Freedom and Equality". What happens to equal rights then? It then turns out to be hypocritical. Being free, is part of having the right to marry anyone whom you fall in love with. People who are against same sex marriage, will most likely agree to that statement, but then it’s not right when gays and lesbians fall in love. Therefore, some people take advantage of the rights given to them, when only they, are satisfied.
ReplyDeleteAlexandria SAId....
ReplyDeleteThe definition of freedom to me is the ability to do as you please when you please as long as it follows the rules that were set for us by a higher authority. Equality is when everyone no matter what race, background, religion or place you are from you’re equal to the person that is next to you. By being equal you’re treated the same and it doesn’t matter how much money you have or where your living at. I believe some people take for granted their freedom. For example Rosa Parks fought for the rights of African American people to be able to sit on the front of the bus but still to this day if you get on the bus you’ll still see some kids that go to the back. Why do they take it for granted if someone who made history fought and went to jail for something so small as where you’re going to sit at on the bus.
Based on past incidents in our history where freedom and equality were fought for, in my opinion, it is evident that these two ideas are significant to our society in America. All, or at least majority of our people believe in equal rights and liberty, however, the small and big implications of discrimination still hover our nation. The big question here is, what exactly is freedom and equality? In my opinion, freedom is the idea of not being bound to a person, a piece of property, a country and having the capability to make your own decisions. Equality could be described as the idea of being on the same level, being given the same priveledges or even having the same social status.
ReplyDeleteHowever, although we have spent an incredible amount of years, fought through wars which have taken the lives of many, have we really achieved the goal of attaining equal rights and freedom? In a sense, we have gained our freedom and equality as a whole. However, equal and humble views towards all the diverse ethnicities in our country are still seldom. Externally, we show that all people in our nation have equal rights but little do we know that we are slowly changing that. For example, racism, discrimination towards sexual orientation and even the gap between the wealthy and poor display inequality. We certainly do take our precious rights for granted, even those who least expect to.
Gabriela Martinez
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality has an impact among all of us. To each and one of us it means a completely different thing and how we look at it depending on what we have been through. To me freedom and equality is a valuable thing because without it wouldn’t be humane because other people would be treated differently. We have in opportunity to get an education and if we want to accomplish anything we want to but, it’s only up to us. Without freedom and equality that wouldn’t exist. And to hold your future in your hands is a beautiful thing because not a lot of people have the system that we do. Also what kind of society would we be if we treated everybody differently? People sometimes need to use common sense it’s not fair. So I don’t know how people back then could have done it.
To me freedom and equality is two very important righs for a human. Freedom is to be your self just free with nobody controlling you or owning you like slaves. Equality is to be equal and not be one better than another we are all equal. Everyone has their right to be free and equal thats why we do take are precious human rights for granted because if that wouldnt be the case then people would hate on eachother and would be a different world today.
ReplyDeleteLeslie Gudino
ReplyDeleteFreedom is exemption from external control, interference and regulation, but if you think of what equality means which is correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability. Freedom and equality are very essential in a person’s life, but many people don’t appreciate the freedom and equal treatment that is received in this time and age. For me, these two things important but sometimes they are taken for granted. If you think about how people of different races were treated before then you might see why equality in race is taken for granted. Even people that are mixed race take equality for granted since people of mixed race were treated unequally as well. Freedom is something that is written in the rights of all American citizens. Freedom is the being able to what you to do when you want to. Even though the American law says we have freedom but do we really when there are laws preventing us from doing to certain things. Is there freedom in equality?
Uneek Jordan
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of freedom, I tend to think of just how big of an understatement that really is. Freedom is not free. However, every citizen is guaranteed equality and fair treatment under the law and the freedom to openly express ideas. Equality by someone else’s means may not mean equality for all. Races, genders, ethnic groups, social classes, and ages are all still discriminated against to this day.. And in other cases freedom is taken for granted or even worse thrown away. As a whole young people tend to take freedom for granted. Speaking for myself, I hold mine precious as I have had such taken away and held over my head. I still do. I know it’s boarder line impossible for the world or even America to establish true equality or allow real freedom but if we as a society can become more accepting at least we’re starting somewhere.
Freedom and equality are two important things to all Americans and to the whole world. For me both of this pieces means a lot. It took a long time so everyone could have freedom. To be able to say anything without worrying about what could happen to you. There's still in places that Freedom isnt allowed. That's why we should be appreciate that in America we have that freedom. For equality it has basictly some of freedoms meaning. Equality is like what we are and do. For example the gender,ethnicity,etc that we represent. Without having to feel bad for our lifestyle. Everyone should feel like were equal. I do take freedom and equality as granted. They made America way more better than what it use to be. Maybe you might still see other places in the world were this might not be allowed. But there's no other choise till you make that change.
ReplyDeleteFreedom and inequality is very important because everyone needs freedom to say what they want of feel and to stand up in what they believe in.Also inequality is important because everyone whats to be treated equal because then others that may work harder than other may be getting less then the prople who do less and get more.An example is thye rich people how they pay less in taxs and the people who can barley afford paying all their bills barley have enough money for what they need to survive.The rich people have what they want and can afford to buy what they need and pay all their bills ,while all these families that work hard and even work extra hours just to get a few more dollars on their pay checks.They also have to pay all their bills and by the time they are done paying for everything they only have a few dollars to buy them food they cant ever have any fun.I know i would not want to get a pay check and then its all gone with bills and essential things i wan tto go at least and have fun with the money i work for.And thats what people are fighting for it wont happen unles you fight for a change to help not only you but everyone that is suffering.
ReplyDeleteTo me freedom does not mean you get to do literally whatever you want freedom to me means that you have the ability to make your own choices that define you as a person, within a legal system that protects its common citizens from people that may abuse their freedom to do bad. I feel that I take my own rights of freedom for granted like many other teens nowadays. I think some of the only people in this country that hold their rights of freedom precious to them are foreigners that come to this country to flee oppression. I feel that there is much freedom and equality in this country, but I do feel that there is a bit more freedom over equality. I think that because I feel that everyone can do whatever they want but I don’t feel that everyone has the same opportunities or chances. For example a foreigner may be just as intelligent as or even more intelligent than a competing white man for a job position but almost always the white person will be given the job over the foreigner.
ReplyDeleteTo me freedom means that no one is controlling you and you can do whatever you want without anyone telling you something and make decisions yourself. And Equality in my point of view is when someone is equal to everyone not making acceptations of people or ethnicity, race, religion. I hold those rights precious because back in the day’s people weren’t as equal as we are today, and certain people didn’t have freedom as we have because people were controlled by their masters. I think that in the U.S some people aren’t equal because there’s times when you see some discrimination to the people of color in compare to the white people. And only adults are free because us young adults, children we don’t have as much freedom because we are controlled by are parent or guardian because the freedom that we get is what are parent or guardian think we disserve, or we can have.
ReplyDeleteLindsay Price-Friend
ReplyDeleteFreedom and equality means different things to different people. Generally everyone wants to be free and treated equal. In the past few years peoples freedom and equality have changed. Years ago in the slave trade the Africans did not have a choice they were not free men, they were constantly being watched and beaten. Racism use to be big in the USA, racism again the blacks and whites. The whites got everything and were prioritized over the balcks. Over the past years although some of these problems have gotten better like the rasism in the US it is not compleatly abolished. Still to this day as much as people claim that they have their freedom and the citizens are all equal, many are not free like the people in jail, racism still occurs even though people are trying to aviod it. Freedom and equality are very different, yet the very similar by people want to be treated fairly.
When I hear the words freedom and equality I think about two completely different things. When I believe that freedom means you are independent. You get to make your own decision rather than listening to what people tell you to do. Freedom is important because without it people would be controlled and would not have free will over their own body and mind. There are a lot of people that needs to express themselves and find their way in life in order to live better, and happier. There has been millions of people that has died to obtain freedom for the future generations of their families. Freedom shouldn't be forgot it should be cherished.. As for equality I think about being equal. Whether it's your skin, hair or eye color everyone's still human why treat them differently? There are many ways where people are still not tested fairly. Some people can get jobs sooner than others by who they know, their skin color or religion. It is happening everywhere not just for getting jobs but that's the lost common example. I believe that freedom is more important than equality because with freedom you can fight for equality for example the civil rights movement. If you have equality without freedom it means that you can't fight for what you believe in. You would have to take something That someone else thinks is equal. And freedom without equality, well at least you'll have A chance to fight for what you want.
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