Ryan Edwards

September 17, 2016

Declaration Essay
Is the Declaration of Independence still in effect today? In the year 2016 are we
living up to the ideas in the Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of
Independence is a statement that was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in
Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American Colonies
regarded themselves as independent. When asked are we living up to the ideas of the
Declaration of Independence I say no because in line 8 of the Declaration it says that
all men are created equal.
One way that this can be proven false is through the 2016 election. Donald
Trump is trying to completely shutdown Muslims from entering the United States until
our countrys representatives can figure out what is going on. This shows that every
man isnt created equal because not every Muslim is associated with ISIS. To broadcast
his opinion in front of the whole world would be considered racist. So to shut all of them
out of the United States, when they come for better opportunities is wrong. Muslims
come to the United States to help provide for their families and practice their freedom to
their religion. Others may say that this needs to happen to restrict possible ISIS
accomplices coming to America. But I dont think that is fair because when you will have
to questions everyone's loyalty which ill probably try people away from wanting to come
here.
Another way that the statement from the Declaration can be proven false is
through police brutality. In 2016 there has been a lot of killings not only from black on
black crime but also through police brutality. There are a lot of videos that have went
viral. Before the videos were being expressed through media people thought that racism
didnt exist and that police brutality was an fairty tale. The videos shows people being
harmed by police while some people were stating and or questioning their rights.
Sometimes there are innocent victims. People can just be driving and the police will
stop them. The whole situation of them stopping the car leads to a rampage of the
victim getting killed or hurt. This is an example of people being of showing that all men
are not created equal.
A third way is through music. Artist of 2016 express how they feel through music
whether is it through rap, country, hip-hop and etc. Prime example is through the Dj
Khaled - I Got The Keys Ft. Jay Z, Future. The song its made from Dj Khaled saying
Major Key. In the song Jay Z featured and in his verse he says Til you own your own
you cant be free. Til you on your own you cant be me. How we still slaves in 2016?
This verse stood out to me because of the last thing that he said because it made me

feel like we are really slaves working for the white government. This shows that all men
werent created equal.
In conclusion I don't believe that all men were created equal because if they were
not one would look down on anyone and there wouldnt be so much hate.