Equality, Are You Sure?

Jefferson wrote: “ We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal…”, do we really believe that, and if so in what manner or form. For myself, am 5' 1", 115 lbs, put me on the basketball court with LeBron James, and what sort of handicap would he need to make us equal. Maybe 50 pounds on each thigh and each upper arm, for a start? This is just to state the obvious, we are not all created equal. At least not in physical, emotional, mental, aptitudes, kindness, patience, compassion, anger, and , lust, just to name a few.

If you have kids, or remember being one in school, this is even more apparent. Which is probably why Jefferson added: “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, amongst which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson was not quite ready to use property, as opposed to the pursuit of happiness as John Locke had, in his own writings. That was a bit to bold for the times. Though most of the Founders were well aware of the origin of that thought and phrase.

In this, and this alone are we equal, we are alive, we deserve our liberty, and we deserve to seek our happiness as we desire, limited only to not harming others, purposely, or their property.

Beyond this, through the ages, people have said as much in different manners. Around 40 B.C., Hillel said: “Do not do unto others what you would not have done unto you.” Around 30 A.D. Jesus said: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Around 150 A.D., Rabbi Akiva responded to a Roman Centurion…