The Truth about America
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America is a promising nation that promises to offer all citizens equal rights. However, this promise is yet to be fulfilled. The truth of America, in reality, is indeed far from what was beautifully written on paper that “All men were born equal.” This is confirmed and echoed by the words of Maya Angelou in her poem entitled “America,” in her very first word when she wrote that “The gold of her Promise, has never been mined.” As such, it offers a pure truth that has continued to elicit mixed reactions and debate among the people of America and in the world.
The biggest issue with this promise is that we are all men and that gold should be able to address the equality that is guaranteed and offered by that promise. America is a nation that claims to believe in God, just as written in the constitution and its currency that “In God we Trust.” It is ironic that all men in America are yet to be treated equally despite America regrettably adopting the philosophy that all men were created equal, and therefore, all men are equal before God. Despite the promise being for all the citizens of the country, not all of them have practically been able to afford it. This is after the reality that race, gender issues, and discrimination are still an issue in America.
She goes on to write that, “Her borders of justice not clearly defined.” This begs the question of where exactly is the line of justice. There is a need for nationwide healing, and since in the process of discrimination on the basis of race and gender, people suffered, and lives were even destroyed and to make matters worse, the police, who are supposed to be on the frontline protecting lives and enforcing the promise of equality are sadly the ones who have been instruments of breaking the promise just as recently witnessed in the black lives matter campaign.
It had reached a point where there was a need to take to the streets in protests such as the “I am a man declaration of the civil rights, who marched holding placards that sent a message to the government and the American society reminding them that even blacks are men just like the whites, who had since taken the title of being a man. This campaign paints a grim picture of the reality and truth that Angelou was talking about in her poem that the American promise is yet to be realized in the United States by all but has only been abused by the majority at the expense of the white majority who have refused to attach any value to the lives of the minority colored race.
Conclusion
The sad reality in America is that there is a lack of racial tolerance, and the country has continued to have its promises of equality written in books and shelved just for decorative purposes as the minorities, particularly the black citizens, are yet to realize and explore that promise of “All men were created equal.” The term men seem to be differently defined by a section of Americans who support and advocate for institutional and personal racism. African Americans are men too, just as the rest of the citizens are and must therefore be treated equally.
References
Angelou, M. (1991). I shall not be moved. Bantam.
Smithsonianmag.com history/revisiting-sanitation-workers-strike