America sells itself as a nation which provides equality for all. Yet inequality reveals the American identity in its true form. In the early stages of the nation the American identity appears through its rebellious citizens who fought for their entire nation, rather than individualistic ideas and equality, against power hungry individuals. The citizens of America used their education to build a nation where they fought against oppression in order to find some type of equality. One of the most defining lines in America’s history states that “all men are created equal,” but Thomas Jefferson wrote in between those lines, that the statement only applied to all white men who owned property and had ties to some type of wealth.[1] If one did not fit into that category, one could not have representation. Distinctions of race and gender made one a minority, unfit for representation. The rebels Benjamin Banneker, Prince Hall, Abigail Adams, and the patriots Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Malcom X, and Alicia Garza, Opal Tomati, and Patrisse Cullors, claimed and exercised their supposed rights to change a government that they saw as unresponsive to their citizen’s needs. They referred to America’s sacred works such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and several other documents in order to prove their fitness to be included in self-governance.

            “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” claimed Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. [2] As early as the colonial period, white men demonstrated their limited definition of “all men.” In their interactions with the native people of America, many white men categorized these people as “savages.” Benjamin Franklin wrote, “savages we call them because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs.”[3] Yet the Native American’s generosity assured the Europeans’ survival when they first tried to settle in America.[4] Whites brought Black men and women to America and labeled them property not persons. Thomas Jefferson suggested that Africans might possibly be a separate species from whites.[5] Women also came to America with dreams of a new life and new chances. White men did not see women, even of their race, as capable of living independently of men. White men perceived women as property similarly to Blacks; but unlike the Blacks, white women in the white man’s eyes counted as mankind, except when it came to exercising their opinion.

Although the Constitution and the Bill of Rights supposedly gave and protected the rights of American citizens, many of the citizens who contributed to the foundation of the nation did not count as “true” Americans who qualified for American rights, and the documents and laws passed. Abigail Adams noticed the importance of those founding documents and laws during their creation, and she wrote to her husband, John Adams, a man with significant influence on the founding documents, to “Remember the Ladies.” John, as a typical male, laughed at her suggestion, calling her “saucy.” Writing to his friend James Sullivan, he expressed his fear of opening up representation to women because it would lead to a slippery slope that “tends to confound and destroy all distinctions, and prostrate all ranks to one common level.”[6] John Adams focused on the word “men” in the Declaration of Independence, so he would not see this as hypocritical or inconsistent.

            White men argued that women and minorities lacked the intellectual ability to govern themselves. They failed to see the legal and social barriers they put in place to prevent minorities from gaining an education. White men disregarded minorities claiming that they did not possess knowledge or understanding of what took place around them. Whites thought that Blacks could not understand how their opinions would affect the future over time. Although many may not have had the proper education compared to the white scholars around them, many just from interaction did observe their surroundings, and they did have problems with the laws being presented. Yet the minorities had no control to change the government they saw unfit. The laws made it almost impossible for a minority to have the qualifications they needed, to apply for a position in government.[7] The people who had the right to representation could not elect a man that truly represented their demographic since a man of their demographic could not obtain the proper education or qualification to participate in government. This resulted in American’s entire concerns and opinions not being heard, and those laws were upheld purposefully in order to keep the power in the white man’s hands.

The minorities wanted equality, especially when it came to the chance of one being able to improve oneself, and to live a better life with no more limits than the white man. Unlike the white man, minorities could not turn to documents similar to the Constitution for protection against unjust laws. Several of America’s founding documents protected property more than they did the people, and property could only be obtained by the wealthy white men.[8] This left the white male demographic as the most powerful in the nation, revealing the importance of the distinction of class.

Since the white man had to be the final voice for change, many groups like the Blacks wrote to the men in power in hope of some type of support.[9] Banneker understood that he had a disadvantage for being a Black man. He acknowledged how the white men saw themselves as superior, pointing out how the white men saw inequality in the capability of the Black mind. Cleverly, Banneker uses Jefferson’s language in his letter, showing how the Black Man does have the capability to converse on the same platform as a white man. He blatantly made his statements appear as true and indisputable, similarly to how Jefferson wrote when trying to establish a point. Banneker showed that Blacks had the capability of having a rational opinion, and that they had the intellectual capability to converse with the whites. This also made it known that Blacks could observe their surroundings and form an opinion. Blacks wanted a change in their representation.  The Blacks of America became very vocal about having a better representation of their race in America, and as true American rebels they became loud, and they continued to publish public documents,[10] until they received more chances for equality in American society.

            As time went on, minorities received more rights than they had ever had before. Minorities also received more restrictions placed upon them. Whites in power claimed minorities had just enough to be happy. The laws made slavery illegal, Blacks could vote, and anyone born in the states would be considered a citizen, but the laws all had exceptions that came attached. Although anyone born in the states received the title of a citizen, anyone not white could easily lose their rights to the title. Slavery still existed, and if one happened to be accused of a crime, one could be sentenced to slavery. People in government put restrictions on rights, such as excluding women and those incarcerated from obtaining their rights. Black men could finally vote, but Black women, and women in general still did not have the right.[11] Those in government still had a way of taking rights from its citizens, making a status quo of who could obtain their rights.

            White men did not want women to have a voice in government. Sojourner Truth unapologetically spoke out against the unjust behavior women had to endure in their society. Truth argued that Black women lived under a double yoke of oppression because women already had a disadvantage for being women, but Black women in particular had the disadvantage for being Black. Truth called out the comments made about women who tried to speak up for their rights. Pointing out how older women received disrespect from men, and also by their children. Currently, many children apart of religious families have the expectation not to disrespect their mother or father, yet in the society at the time, it appeared acceptable for the children to disrespect their mother for trying to obtain her rights. Truth made the comparison to how women got looked down upon for speaking up for their rights, but men did not. Women did the same work as men, but did not receive equal pay for their work, and they did not receive recognition for the work done. Truth pointed out how she had a right to speak among the people as a free citizen, and that she would continue to do so, because she felt as if she battled alone when it came to fighting for Black women to obtain political rights. As an American citizen, Truth knew she had the right to fight and change the laws she found unfit, and unfair, and she felt obligated to do so. Truth understood the consequences of having no political rights for the Black women. Truth knew that not having political rights would lead Black women to becoming a slave to the Black man. They would become slaves because they would be dependent to the man for everything. Black women would have to ask the man for money, and more, and she knew with political rights the women would finally be free. Many tried to discredit Truth’s opinion especially as being a Black woman. Although she experienced hate for publicly speaking up for women rights, she understood the importance of being a voice for her people. Truth knew that she may never be able to experience equal rights but her voice would start a revolution.[12]

Susan B. Anthony had to point out to the white men that women fell in the category of people, therefore “we the people” also accounted for women. “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” The statement alone should have been enough to prove women had the right to vote, but white man did not see this as true. Anthony argued that she had a citizen’s right to vote, by pointing out the difference between what the Constitution said, and what the people of the government decided to take from the Constitution. Anthony acknowledged how the people of the government chose to pay attention to the exact wording of the male pronouns when it came to voting. When it came to the other laws, the government looked over the male pronouns, and applied laws such as taxation, and death penalties to women as well, although the Constitution says the laws should be applied to “he, his, and hims.” Anthony pointed out that if women could be sustained to other laws, then they should have had the right to vote as well. White males thought that “the use of the masculine pronouns, he, his, and him, in all the constitutions and laws, is proof that only men were meant to be included in their provisions,” but Anthony proclaimed that the people of the government, needed to either apply all the laws to women, or apply none of the laws, but they could not pick and choose for whatever worked in their favor.[13]

The women Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Joslyn Gage argued that they continued to be second-class citizens because they could not obtain their rights from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Men denied women their rights due to their sex, making their sex a “crime.” Women by law had rights in their marriage, yet the husband had the power in the eyes of the law. Women by law had the right to stand trial, yet they could not be a part of a jury. Women by law had the right to have a jury of their peers, yet could only have a jury filled with men. Women had to pay taxes, and could be jailed like men, but women did not receive the same privileges when it came to fines or trials. Women lived as second-class citizens because they always had less power than men, and they did not get all the privileges an American citizen possessed as a birth right. Despite being second-class citizens, they still fought for equality in citizenship rights, even if they would never obtain the rights from themselves.[14]

Since white men did not want women in government, the first step to preventing that was keeping the women out of the workforce. Throughout Muller v. Oregon, one can see that men believed that women owed severance to their husbands, and that women needed special legislation from men. The White men only saw women as reproducers and they rather have had women at home then in the workforce. In the end, the White men did not want social change. They wanted to remove women as a liability to men. Stopping women from being a part of the workforce stopped women from getting power, and it stopped them from thinking outside of the suppressive box they had always been forced into. The men did not want women to learn too much, because with the power of knowledge, the women would no longer be submissive to man.

The two sexes differ in structure of body, in the functions to be performed by each, in the amount of physical strength, in the capacity for long continued labor, particularly when done standing, the influence of vigorous health upon the future wellbeing of the race, the self-reliance which enables one to assert full rights, and in the capacity to maintain the struggle for subsistence. This difference justifies a difference in legislation, and upholds that which is designed to compensate for some of the burdens which rest upon her

White men believed that if woman cannot be self-reliant, they cannot be true citizens. Categorizing women as not being self-reliant identified them as children, and men as the only true adults, therefore this idea supported the idea that woman needed special legislation. With this idea women did not have a place in the workforce or government.[15]

Malcom X could see the hate that so many whites had toward minorities, especially Blacks and from this he believed that there would never be true equality for the minorities. Yet he had his own ideas he believed would be the answer for a better life for minorities. Malcom X mimics Thomas Jefferson with the idea that Blacks will never be seen as equal with the Whites. Malcom X goes on with his idea that Blacks will never be seen or given the same opportunities as Whites, instead Blacks are used when it is convenient for Whites. Therefore, there will always be racial tension because Whites would never see Blacks for their value of intellect or skills, yet only what opportunities they could bring the White men. There would always be tension because he believed Whites and Blacks could never truly get along, and it would be for the best if the Whites and Blacks were separated in America, with their own land, to stop any further problems between the Whites and Blacks.

We have a common enemy. We have this in common: We have a common oppressor, a common exploiter, and a common discriminator. But once we all realize that we have a common enemy, then we unite – on the basis of what we have in common. And what we have foremost in common is that enemy – the white man. He’s an enemy to all of us. I know some of you think that some of them aren’t enemies. Time will tell.

Malcom X believed there would always be tension because Blacks and Whites would always see each other’s race as the common enemy. Malcom X believed that Whites and Blacks would never overcome racial tension and animosity, but they could come to an agreement of separation, with being able to live in the same country, as long as each race had their own space.[16]

Alicia Garza, Opal Tomati, and Patrisse Cullors did not want to go to the extent of complete segregation from the Whites, yet they did want to make apparent that Black lives indeed do matter. The members of Black Lives Matter wanted for all American citizens to understand that Black Lives Matter is not a formed group of hate toward other races that are not Black, yet a group that wants to target the idea that Black lives are just as important as those of  everyone else. Alicia Garza, Opal Tomati, and Patrisse Cullors focused on Black lives because they were the least valued in society. The women focused on the idea that in society many put down or degrade the value of a Black life. They want the people to be able to all come together and show their support for Black lives that had unjust killings. They want the people to show the world that the people want justice for those killed, simply for being Black. “When Black people cry out in defense of our lives, which are uniquely, systematically, and savagely targeted by the state, we are asking you, our family, to stand with us in affirming Black lives. Not just all lives. Black lives.” Showing the true American identity, the members of Black Lives Matter are using their voice to try to make a change in what they believed how society viewed Black lives, and they want justice and a safe place for those who are targeted. In their eyes if Black lives matter so do LGBTQ, Women, Chicano, Disabled, Undocumented, and imprisoned, because when Blacks are free, everyone is free.[17]

            Overall the American identity began by being represented as the American fighter, who would not accept no for an answer. The idea for one to stand his or her ground and push upon the limits given embodied the American identity. The American symbolized a rebel, one who understood opportunity could always be obtained, one just has to make opportunity happen for oneself. This is shown through the women Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Joslyn Gage, Malcom X, Alicia Garza, Opal Tomati, and Patrisse Cullors who lived as patriots not rebels. Overall the American identity represented vocal citizens. The American symbolized a patriot, one who would act selflessly in order to have a positive effect for the population as a whole. The American understood that they had a right and duty to obtain equality for all. 

 

 

[1] The Declaration of Independence. (1776).

[2] The Declaration of Independence. (1776).

[3] Benjamin Franklin. Remarks concerning the Savages of North America.

[4] Powhatan. Speech to Captain John Smith. (1609)

[5] Thomas Jefferson. QUERY XIV: the Administration of Justice and Description of the Laws?

[6] Abigail Adams. Adams Family Letters. (March 31, 1776).

[7] The Northwest Ordinance.

[8] Charles Beard. The Underlying Political Science of the Constitution.

[9] Benjamin Banneker. Letter from Benjamin Banneker to Thomas Jefferson. (Maryland, Baltimore County, August 19, 1791).

[10] Prince Hall. The Petition of a great number of Negroes who are detained in a state of Slavery in the Bowels of a free & Christian Country Humbly Shewing. (January 13, 1777).

[11] Reconstruction Amendments.

[12] Sojourner Truth. (1797-1875).

[13] Susan B. Anthony. (1873).

[14] Declaration of the Rights of Women of the United States. (1876).

[15] Muller v. Oregon.

[16] Malcom X (1925-1965).

[17] Black Lives Matter.