The Founding Fathers
Committing treason, more akin to blasphemy, as they were citizens
of a nation still influenced by decades of a belief in ‘divine right’ did not
come easily to the Founding Fathers.
This belief that kings were appointed by God was waning by 1763 when the
British, as a result of really poor management, raised taxes in the colonies resulting
in the American Revolution which helped to put an end to divine right
altogether.
The Founding Fathers are often referred to as a
mono-cultural group, but they were hardly that.
The regional, religious, political, and historical diversity of the
group that represented 13 distinct governments reviewed and debated 90
declarations before establishing the “Committee of 5” to write what became the Declaration
of Independence. The Committee in turn,
gave the job to Thomas Jefferson who submitted the first draft on June 28, 1776.
After a few days of debate and modification the final document was signed on
the Fourth of July, 1776. (This date has been contested by historians, but an almost-final
draft of the document was printed and posted on July Fourth.)
The authors and signers of the Declaration of Independence
had to agree to disagree if they were to gain their freedom from tyranny. They had to debate deep philosophical and
political differences and stay in that room during a sweltering Philadelphia
summer until they truly represented united
states. The Continental Congress had found enough strongly shared common interests and beliefs to sever
their ties to their homeland forever.
The
Declaration of Independence Has Six Sections
The
Introduction: Which begins “When in the Course of human
events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another,”
The Preamble: Another incredible beginning: “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.”
The Indictment: An outline of the offenses the authors claim were committed by the
King of England, including “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:”
The Denunciation: The justification for the declaration, “Nor have we been wanting in
attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of
attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.:”
The Conclusion: Establishes “That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to
be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to
the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State
of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;.”
The Signatures: This evidence makes it impossible for the 56 signers to deny their
commitment to the content of the document.
An Evolving Inclusion Strategic Plan!
Now that the newly formed United States of America declared their independence from
As you celebrate this holiday, please remember to read
The Declaration of Independence and think about where we might be without our
diversity and inclusion, in other words, without our independence. The Declaration Of Independence
Happy Independence Day!
Onward,
~ Wendy
