"Human Rights"

Thanks to the French during the Enlightenment and eventually the Americans someone got it "Right". Well to an extent at least. Finally humans questioned whether they were doing something horribly wrong to their own kind and figured out that every human was granted a right whether their creed was black, white, or any color that the green earth could put out. Now i'm not agreeing that Marshall was correct or that Marx was anywhere remotely close to what a "Right" is; i'm basically saying that finally someone realized that we are privileged to live here on this planet together. 

The 18th century gave men the freedom to speak ones opinion, whether it be heard now that's a different story. However it gave men theoretically the voice to be heard and the power to make some progress in changing the cemented way of life that was laid before them. It gave man a little more space at the table and brought us a little closer to what finally was achieved by the 21th century and what we see in today's world; at least in the United States that men are actually all equal no matter their status in society or color of skin. The 19th century gave men even more freedom, especially in government and in a way helped set up a democratic voice in government and brought on the new age of people being able to contribute to society and in a way start the steps to demolish the monarchies around the world. Slavery was also dealt with during this time period and finally discontinued in the Western Hemisphere and thankfully done so to continue the spread of human rights. 

Finally in the 20th century women were given rights that proved them to be equal to men. It was the ignorant thinking of men from thousands of years past that thought that rights were only given to men of power and stature and not of hardworking human beings no matter their sex. Human rights should never be controlled by anyone but each and every individual person that lives on this earth. Some how we got that wrong for the first couple hundred years of existence in this country and not to mention the whole world. Sadly these rights are still not noticed by countries around the world and hypocritically the United States still tries to enforce those right across the world by doing whatever the country can in changing the ideas militarily even though they are violating "Rights" in doing so no matter if its right or wrong. 

Consequences are inevitable no matter the choices a man or women makes. But given the privilege to make these choices is in my opinion the "human rights" that all should be granted when entering this world. As history shows us countries that neglect the rights of its people will undoubtedly fall no matter the power or riches. A nation needs "rights" and its people need the freedom to progress as one in order to progress the human race and human progress on this planet. Brilliant thinkers can think and write all they want, however it takes the power of the people and freedom of every man or women no matter their characteristics to evolve our own enlightenment for years to come. 

lastly we should not take these "rights" for granted. We should realize that we are privileged once we gain access to this earth. We should not be ignorant to think that our "rights" go farther than another's but only that our "rights" together as people only strengthen our voices as one and fortify our future together. Sadly the men of the past misunderstood their "rights" or privileges when they were here and thankfully to the men of the enlightenment we stepped a little further out of the shadows and into the freedom we call today. 

Equiano

Equiano truly lived a life that most slaves would have greatly volunteered for. His many travels to different parts of the world are a testament to how great of a life he lived for a slave. At this time period it was unheard of that slaves be considered world travelers at least most of them who did move from country to country never made it out alive after most of the grueling work they were put through. In my opinion Equiano was born in Africa. His descriptions were so detailed about him being kidnapped and sold on the slave trade that only a person with that kind of personal experience could relate the details Equiano detailed in his autobiography. Also his stories about how he remembers the times with his mom and when he was a young boy also lead into the notion that he was truly born in Africa and not on a naval ship or slave trade ship. I do believe from his extensive interpretations that he was from Africa.

It’s stated that Equiano considered himself an honest man and that he lived life a little bit different than the normal slave. “I always remember the old adage: and I trust it has been my ever ruling principle, that honesty is the best policy.”[1] With this from the text it’s hard to believe a man with this much integrity and honesty would lie about his birth or the fact that he did the things he was accounted for in his autobiography. I do believe what he says, unless he was just trying to get his name out there and his autobiography sold. That is something that sometimes must be taken into account. At this time period slaves weren’t really considered much of anything but property and this autobiography would raise Equiano’s status as a person. However I do believe what he has stated in the text to be truthful and himself an honest man.

Carey’s argument that has Equiano born In South Carolina is an understandable and noteworthy argument. However in my opinion I think that most of the information was used for safety and common sense. Stating that his baptism yes might have been in South Carolina however I believe that’s all it was. He came from Africa and was baptized in South Carolina by his owner out of respect and safety. Also not that many people were baptized and born on the same day, especially slaves that were even baptized. I think it’s fully understandable that he wasn’t able to be baptized in Africa and was given the chance in South Carolina. Carey’s table also states that Equiano or “Gustavus” had gotten specific dates wrong when he was being transported from America to England. However due to the time period and the situation that he found himself in all the time running from being hunted or killed; I think its fully understandable to get dates wrong when your mind was worrying about five hundred other things. As stated in the argument for Africa Equiano might have been too afraid as a boy to tell them where he was really born at his baptism. In the end I think Equiano was too honest lie about his birthplace and I think Africa was where he was truly born.

[1]   Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa. The African. Kindle Edition. 2128  

Columbus

Religion played a part in everything Spanish Monarchs decided on doing, how big a part is depending on the case at hand. In our text by Symcox and Sullivan it states that “This was to be a commercial enterprise. Building an empire and spreading the Gospel would come later.”[1] That leaves a little spec of doubt however in my mind that religion would be last. In all fairness these are Spanish Monarchs and with every decision there is always a reference to religion in everything they do. The service any Spanish Explorer did was always centralized around religion it just depended on what quest he was sent on or to what war he was to fight in. Especially during Columbus’s time that was spent in Spain. The Spanish Monarchs led with religion firmly on its conscience. “They also sought to increase the cultural and religious unity of their kingdoms by an attack on the minority populations of Jews and Muslims, continuing the medieval Spanish crusading tradition, the Reconquista.”[2] In reality any service that any explorer could offer or except was dealt with religiously or at least was valued by religion.

 The fall of Granada in 1492 helped Columbus ultimately get what he really wanted. A deal was manifested between Ferdinand and Isabella and the infamous Christopher Columbus that would change the history of the world and give power to the strong Spanish Monarchy. The Santa Fe Capitulations requested that the King and Queen grant Columbus Governorship of the lands discovered, one-tenth of the goods discovered, and that Columbus had jurisdiction over any lawsuits.[3] This deal also granted that Columbus’s rights were hereditary and gave him the right to acquire new land in the name of the Spanish Monarchy. This deal gave the Spanish Monarchs a broader sense of power if Columbus did find the new world and do it according to plan. With this expedition the Spanish Monarchy would gain more respect and power over Portugal and this to them was very important. This trip gave them what they needed to pass Portugal in a ‘modern times’ arms race. 

 [1]Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), p13-14

 [2]  Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), p11-12

[3]Santa Fe Capitulations (April 17, 1492), in Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies:  A Brief History with Documents, eds. Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005), 60-62.

(1.)

Hello, My name is Chris Council. I'm 22 and a History major in my 3rd year at ASU. Prior to ASU i have been at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, AZ and Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ. I have loved History my whole educational life and think its one of the most important things we have. I am centralized in World History and hope to gain as much information out of this class as i can. 


Thank you