Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Democracy is about the freedom to use your God given right towards life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. ... Humanity is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (Foner, 42); however, years of discrimination towards women still ensued after the establishment of this document in 1776. ... The seizing of their property, the over-taxing of their properties, the automatic custody of children to their husbands, and the closing of educational institutions for women deprived women of any chance to succeed in life (Kraditor, 185). The wealthy, property owning white men of this young nation did have a monopoly over success in life for they were given all the rights and avenues to succeed while women weren’t given these paths. ... Her cries for liberty and justice were proper proposals for the black race. Equality for all mankind is what God intended, yet mortal men of the young United States decided life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness weren’t suitable for members of the black race. ... Douglass begins his speech by congratulating the white Americans who are now basking in the glory of life, liberty, and happiness, for members of the black race didn’t experience those human rights. ... Changing what July 4th means to the black man would consist of giving an entire race life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ... Douglass expects change and wants July 4th to be a national holiday for the celebration where all people have received the chance for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (Douglass, 275). ... Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are basic freedoms for all people, and these authors show this with no equivocation.