"The phrase 'all men are created equal' implied inclusivity, but was not intended as a universal promise. It was a boundary defining who was entitled to life, liberty and happiness - and who was not."
"Women, the enslaved and Indigenous people were all present at the birth of this country, but they were also excluded from its promise and potential."
"The true birth of this nation is the longer, harder story of what they did next, as they sought to claim the rights that were denied to them."
The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that all men are created equal, yet this was not a universal promise. The original founders excluded women, enslaved individuals, and Indigenous people from these rights. The real expansion of democracy involves acknowledging the contributions of those marginalized groups who have fought for their rights and the true meaning of equality. Their actions represent a deeper narrative of patriotism and the ongoing struggle for inclusivity in American democracy as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
Read at Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
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