Violence in America

The interpretation of the Declaration of Independence is the subject I will discuss in this blog. The Declaration of Independence is a document synonymous with democracy and freedom. The part which associates these two American specialties can be seen at the start of the second paragraph: "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." I believe this piece is widely known among many American citizens. Though, close reading should be exercised in order to fully comprehend the meaning of this document. It is a lesson I learned last Thursday. Also, I learned that the use of violence is a major component of the Declaration of Independence. One example is shown in the second section: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it." Immediately, violence is condoned in the first section of this historic composition: "When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth . . . a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." The successful detachment from England is connected with these examples. It came at a high price for thousands perished in the name of freedom. To achieve utopia, one must give up something to get something. It seems as if that something is always human life.