The Bill of Rights Equals Our Freedom

Our Bill of Rights is the most important part of the Constitution because it is the foundation of America. It is the part most commonly looked at when advocating our freedom.

When the delegates at the Constitutional Convention convened to create the law of a united nation, it was not ratified and put into effect until the Bill of Rights was created and added to it. This gave way to organized government and basic human freedoms. People use these freedoms everyday and are blessed in doing so. The first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”

This has given way to some of the most monumental changes and ideals. This was the foundation on which Martin Luther King was able to march and give his famous speech “I have a dream”. The marches women did to gain sovereignty was protected under this amendment as well. In turn, both of these movements gave way to further changes in the Constitution.

Amendments five, six, seven and eight, have given people secured rights in the court of law and protection against cruel and unusual punishment. They are able to have a fair trial and advocate why they are guilty or innocent.

In the case of the State of Georgia vs. James Arthur Williams, he was tried for the same crime four different times. Accused of killing his assistant, he was taken to trial. He was found guilty but later evidence was found suggesting a contradiction in police testimonies. He was retried and after finding more irregularities in the case, retried once more. The jury was hung 11:1 and he was sent to another jurisdiction where he was tried for the fourth and final time. The jury ultimately found James not guilty on the grounds of self defense. But that did not fix the fact his fifth amendment rights had been neglected.

The fourteenth amendment was born from figureheads like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, along with countless others. It gave everyone “equal protection under the law.” One of the biggest wins and game-changers of the modern era. We may still have discrimination that births movements such as Black Lives Matter, but it was a cornerstone to a more unified people.

The fifteenth and nineteenth amendments gave voting rights to people of color and women respectively. Now men and women, black or white, have a voice in our government. As one of the most important duties as a citizen, voting should be done by all of the masses. While at the time, this did not stop states or certain cities from making it nearly impossible to vote, today it is open to everyone. My great grandmother was one of the women who fought for women sovereignty. She was one voice out of thousands to shape our society today. Because of her and many others, I now have the right to vote.

The Bill of Rights, a monumental addition to the Constitution, shaped the American ideal of freedom and it will continue to do so for many future generations henceforth.

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