Realizing the Dream: Equality for All

Ever since James Truslow Adams wrote the words “the American dream” in his book The Epic of America, the name has been used to represent a dream sought after by people all around the world—equality regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnic background, or sexual orientation; the dream of a land where anyone can become successful and have the same opportunities. Equality for all, however, has proved elusive in the United States over the past 237 years, ever since Thomas Jefferson first penned the Declaration of Independence.

Discrimination has existed in America even before it was the United States. In fact, the first Puritan colonists came here to escape religious persecution. However, this truth did not stop discrimination from happening in the colonies. Native Americans were branded and stereotyped as murdering savages. In 1750, over sixty percent of the population in South Carolina were enslaved African-Americans. Even in more modern times, discrimination remains high. Women did not gain the right to vote until 1920. There was a large anti-Catholic hysteria in the early 1900s. Many, many other acts of injustices remain unsaid, but discrimination is common throughout American history. This trend continued over the decades and still happens today, even after many measures aiming to prevent it.

I like to think that all injustices are rectified. Sadly, this is not the case. Injustices occurred throughout history without solutions. This is a difficult subject though, as “justice” is a subjective term, since all cases are different. Even little injustices should be set right. Not just conventional “crimes” that are tried in court, either. Justice, however, is specific to every case, which is why we have judges and juries. This system is still faulty, as shown in the Dred Scott vs. Stanford case where the Supreme Court ruled that any person of African descent could not be American citizens. Many, many others still happen today. The “correcting” of an injustice should start with identifying and acknowledging it. After this step, however, it is difficult to make a standardized system to remedying an injustice. Therefore, we need to correct all wrongs with whatever fits the situation.

However, eliminating discrimination still remains a daunting task. One may think that doing this is near impossible; nevertheless, I believe we can take steps toward it. We can start by educating the next generation about the history of discriminations and the importance of equality.  Through a curriculum to increase awareness in young children, we will be much closer to this social ideal. After all, every generation, the problem of discrimination diminishes. As a second generation immigrant, I have faced no discrimination at all. However, generations before me, my parents and my grandparents, have shared their personal stories of unjust treatment and discrimination. But the million dollar question will forever be: will discrimination eventually die away? The answer rests on what we do from now onwards.

So far, we may not have been perfect in treating people with balance and equality. But we can change this! Eradicating discrimination and rectifying injustice may be a tall order, but we can do it if we have the work ethic and the gumption to fix America’s problems in unfair bias. We need to educate our next generation about this crisis. We need to set things right and not only strive to be the judicial ideal, but work towards it and be the model for the other countries that look up to us. Let us set new and improved standards for preventing injustice everywhere.  America, the Immigration Nation, the great melting pot, should set an example for the world. So, start righting wrongs in your actions and your community, no matter how small. No law can fix this problem without the consent of the people. You can contribute to a fair and just society, one piece at a time. Right now. Right here. Step up for the less fortunate, the victims of unlawfulness and discrimination, and fix the problems in your community. Contribute to a discrimination-free America, a discrimination-free world, by treating people around you with fairness and equality, regardless of their race, religion, gender, ethnic background, or sexual orientation.

Hammurabi’s Code: Was it just?

Imagine this: you are walking around in an outdoor market when you feel someone take your wallet. You turn around and you see a person. You accuse them of stealing your wallet and it gets taken to trial, when right in the middle a person comes in and confesses to the crime. Suddenly, the current trial ends and a new trial begins: against you. The judge decides to cut your hands off for falsely accusing someone while the thief gets away scot-free (Journey Across Time). I bet you’re thinking that it would be totally unfair to get your hands cut off while a thief gets away with stealing your wallet, just because you thought someone else stole it, then you are completely correct. However, if you lived during Hammurabi’s rule, then this situation might have actually happened. Hammurabi was an ancient king who ruled a small city-state in Mesopotamia, called Babylonia. Hammurabi ruled for 42 years from 1792 BCE (Before Current Era)-1834 BCE. Around Hammurabi’s 38^th year of rule, he created a law code which he carved on a large stone column called a stele. Now you know a little background, we can start answering our main question: Was Hammurabi’s Code just? I don’t think so and here are three reasons why.

Hammurabi’s Code was unfair to the victim. This is shown in Laws 48, 209, and 213. For instance, in Law 48 it says that “If a man has borrowed money to plant his fields and storm has flooded his field or carried away the crop,…in that year he does not have to pay his creditor.”(Doc D). In Law 48 it is unfair to the creditor because he got cheated because he never got his money back. How would you liked to have loaned someone your good money and have never gotten it back? Or in Law 209 and 213 when if a man hits a free girl and causes her to lose her child, he has to pay her 10 shekels of silver, whereas if you were a slave you would only get 2 shekels of silver!(Doc E). If you were that slave girl would you be satisfied? I wouldn’t! A child is a child all the same, no matter which working class.

Hammurabi’s Code was also unfair to the accused. This is shown in Laws 218, 129, and 195. For instance, in Law 218 it says, “If a surgeon has operated with a bronze lancet on a free man for a serious injury, and has caused death, ...his hands shall be cut off.”(Doc E). Law 218 is unfair because if you were the surgeon, you were just trying to help, right? And sometimes things just don’t work out, and then you get your hands cut off? Just for helping!? Or in Law 129 how it states that if a married lady is caught in adultery, then both man and woman will be tied up and thrown in the water. (Doc C) Law 195 is unfair because the punishment for striking your father is cutting your hands off!(Doc C) What if your father was being really mean and hits you because he was angry at someone else? Sometimes you have to defend yourself!

Hammurabi’s Code was unfair to society. This is shown in Law 23. For instance, Law 23 declares, “If the robber is not caught, the man who has been robbed shall formally declare whatever he has lost before a god, and the city and the mayor in whose territory or district the robbery has been committed shall replace for  them whatever he has lost.”(Doc D). This is unfair to society because they didn’t commit the crime. Why should they pay for it?

Even with these many examples, I agree some laws in Hammurabi’s Code, like Law 53, 54 which states that if a man has opened his irrigation trench and his neighbor’s field has flooded because of it, then the man who opened the trench must pay back the neighbor in crops(Doc E), are just and fair, overall Hammurabi’s Code of Laws are unjust because they had violent punishments for nonviolent crimes, and treated people differently because of their working class.