Unit 3 Reflection

     Despite influential speakers, writers and activists,  it appears to be inevitable for history to repeat itself.  It is discouraging to see destructive patterns developing in other countries:  governments restricting its people and responding to protests with violence.  There is hope, however, for reforms to happen, just as those same reforms happened in our country more than 100 years ago.
    With brave and controversial diction, Patrick Henry proved to be a distinguished advocate for the rights of his people.  He is the perfect example of how every individual should act towards his/her government.  Speaking to the President he states, “Different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if… opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely…” I believe Henry showed respect to the diverse opinions of strong minded men and though it may not be necessary for every public speech, individuals need to consider ideas that are different than their own, especially ideas that are our government’s.  It is also important, as Henry stated, to share our thoughts and criticisms.  One of the most important duties an individual has to his government, is to challenge it.  If authority is never challenged, nothing can progress or change.
     In a time when equality among men and women was far from reality, Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the Declaration of Sentiments.  She wrote it to resemble Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence , connecting the need for women’s rights with an American symbol of liberty.  “Such has been the patient sufferance of women under this government” Stanton states, paralleling “such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies under this government” in the Declaration of Independence.  The American government was created to escape the tyrannical rule of Great Britain and ironically, they were placing the same tyrannical rule on women.  It is incredibly important for the government to take notice of how their people react to regulations.  If people are calling for reform, they can not let time pass and prolong their suffering.  Though the Declaration of Independence and Declaration of Sentiments differ in a literal sense, in essence, they wrote this for their people, exercised their duty to government and demanded freedom.  The government’s duty is to listen.
    I found this unit to be very thought-provoking.  Last unit, I almost drowned in the works of Plato, Cicero and Machiavelli.  Not that they weren’t interesting, just very challenging.  Though I know their work is taught for a reason, I struggled with finding the big picture, the real value.  In this unit, the written work of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Elizabeth Cady Stanton  proved to me, there is purpose behind the way things are written.  Because I understood the historical context of many of these pieces, I could more directly see their impact in society and it made the unit all the more intriguing.