Voices of Democracy

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.

Declaration of Independence (MACHAN, 2010)

Reading this passage from the Declaration of Independence raised a lot of questions. Notice how the statement says ALL MEN are created equal, one can only assume it was only men that were considered superior to women. One can question if all men are to be created equal, means all men of any background or culture, right? Luckily, the people in our country protest and fought to influence the government to adhere to the democratic principles. Under this statement, our democracy has set standards on human rights. This principle is important to me because as an American I am sad to say we are failing to uphold our own standards.

The conditions at the Texas border regarding the migrant children in detention centers raised major concern globally. Children that have been separated from their parents, have been living in unsanitary and unethical conditions. America has been responsible for multiple deaths of children in our custody and violates our fundamental standards that separates us from other countries. All democracies strive to respect and protect the human rights of citizens. Human rights mean those values that reflect respect for human life and human dignity (Principles of Democracy Lesson, 2007). Democracy emphasizes the value of every human being. Examples of human rights include freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the right to equality and the right to basic education. Under the Trump administration, migrant children are forced to live in crowded centers, was not given toothbrushes or soap (Burnell, 1995). It was also discovered some children had lice and was not quarantined, only given lice shampoo and two combs to be shared.

When the supreme court passed the Flores settlement which set standard for detained minor children. According to this agreement, minors detained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services must be placed in housing that meets state standards. The standards that must be met are:

• least restrictive setting appropriate to the child’s age and special needs
• safe and sanitary facilities
• toilets and sinks
• drinking water and food
• medical assistance
• contact with family members (MACHAN, 2010)

So far, the Trump administration has violated this agreement, and as a resulted in children dying. The reports have stated children being responsible for caring for infants, denied bed mats that were donated and forced to sleep on concrete floor. The overcrowding of the detention centers can lead to a magnitude of health conditions including but not limited to crowding disease, mental and emotional conditions etc. As the declaration states whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and the people are speaking out (Declaration of Independence: A Transcription, 2019). Through letters, petitions and protest observers was able to inspect a detention center in Clint Texas. During this inspection, the observers were horrified by the conditions and treat of these children and prompted judge Gee to order immediate changes to the conditions these children are being subjected to. As of today, the children have been removed from the facility.

All humans are to be treated equally no matter background or culture. Being in the medical field, I am subjected to treating people from different backgrounds which includes murders, racist etc. following the medical guideline of do no harm. Our democracy should be no different especially when it comes to human rights.

Burnell, N. (1995). Constitutional law - immigration. Suffolk Transnational Law Review.

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription. (2019). Retrieved from America's Founding Documents: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

MACHAN, T. R. (2010). BACKING THE FOUNDERS: THE CASE FOR UNALIENABLE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. LIBERTARIAN PAPERS.

Principles of Democracy Lesson. (2007). Retrieved from Delibrating Democracy .