We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain Inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.Most of us know these words. But what do they mean?
"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are considered to be the unalienable (or inalienable) rights that we are all entitled to, can also be considered as natural, universal rights that are not dependent upon actions or beliefs. All of us. The entire human race -- not just Americans.
Life is an obvious one. We all have the right to live, for better or worse. Some choose to grow and better their lives and the lives or people around them, some could best be described as stagnant, and still others have a negative impact on this world.
Liberty, or freedom, is the ability to act according to one's own will. Free thought, free speech, free movement, freedom of religion, freedom of press. The government will not tell you what to say, think, what to do for a living, or even who to pray to. But remember, as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. so aptly states it: "the right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." So yes, feel free to do as you please, as long as it does not violate someone else's rights or the law.
The pursuit of Happiness. This can be interpreted in a few ways. There's the search for emotional fulfillment, or literally being happy. Things like getting married, having children, owning property, or even pursuing a hobby could fit into that category. And there's also Justice Miller's definition in BUTCHERS' UNION CO. v. CRESCENT CITY CO., 111 U.S. 746 (1884):
Among these inalienable rights, as proclaimed in that great document, is the right of men to pursue their happiness, by which is meant the right to pursue any lawful business or vocation, in any manner not inconsistent with the equal rights of others, which may increase their prosperity or develop their faculties, so as to give to them their highest enjoyment.We are very fortunate to have a government and a society that is deeply ingrained in this philosophy. Most of us probably also take it for granted.
Our laws are not based upon religious laws or norms. American women can both own and drive their own cars. American women can also travel freely to most parts of the world, without consent or escort of their husband, father, or brother. No one is forced to dress, to maintain their personal appearance a certain way. Vices like alcohol are not banned by the federal government. These days, no civilian goes to jail just for being homosexual. You have the right to freely and openly practice whatever religion you choose to practice without fear of being killed or hauled away by authorities -- as long as no one is hurt and laws are not broken.
We are not forced to live out caste-based lives. You are not destined to a life of living in slums and scrubbing toilets just because that's what your parents did. You do not have to worry that the only opportunity that your children will have is based on working fields or in the factories just because of the color of their skin or where they're from. One of the ideals of America, Land of Opportunity, is that if you work hard enough, you'll be rewarded. That opportunity is not always found in other corners of the world.
We have the right and the ability to complain, and to hopefully make things better. We choose those who represent us in our government. We have a say in the laws that govern our state and country.
We are very fortunate. Don't ever forget this.
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