We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Its written on the walls in stone. The opening lines of the American Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. It is a moving piece of writing that has motivated America to attempt to live up to its high ideals. As Martin luther King Jr said ‘One day this great nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed’. With his strong beliefs in the rights of man and a government derived from the people, in freedom of religion and the separation between church and state, and in education available to all, Thomas Jefferson struck a chord for human liberty 200 years ago that resounds through the decades. But, incongruously, he personally was a slave owner. A great philosopher, politician and writer with vision but still a man of his time. His writing helped motivate others to move forward and to ‘live out the true meaning’. It was lovely to see this mixed race couple sitting and chatting in the golden light of the late afternoon sun. A fantastic affirmation of how far the US has come in living up to ‘its creed’ even if this ‘Great Nation’ is still not a complete utopia for everyone.
