Freedom is a word that can be spoken and recognized by any man. Throughout history many have fought and died to gain the assurance of freedom and equality. Though the definition of freedom may vary, the general acknowledgement of it is well known. Thomas Jefferson believed that freedom was having unalienable rights that could not be destroyed by any form of government. Although he declared freedom, equality and justice for ALL MEN, this was not the intent of his declaration. Frederick Douglass, on the other hand, knew of freedom, but until a certain point in his life was not able to completely understand and experience it. Freedom, justice and equality are spoken of much together in history. Even though all men desire these three fundamentals, they do not walk hand in hand. Freedom does not mean equality, and equality does not mean justice. Webster's dictionary defines freedom as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: INDEPENDENCE. I concur completely with this definition of freedom. I have always viewed freedom as a form of independence. When you are independent, no other human has the authority to completely govern over your own life and decisions. This concept of freedom, unfortunately does not mean equality. This definition; though many years after the 19th century, was very much similar to the way Douglass viewed freedom. Jefferson, on the other hand, viewed freedom in a slightly different way. The fact that freedom was not meant for every man plays a great part in the differences of their perceptions.Equality and freedom are not directly related. The Declaration of Independence states, "all men are created equal." Unfortunately, this is a lie. If all men were meant to be equal, black men and women would not have been slaves. There would not have been an abduction of thousands of men, woman and children from their homeland to the ...
