The Rights Of Man Thomas Paine Analysis

Haley Karsting
GSI- Alfredo Rivera
Thomas Paine The Rights of Man: Commentary on Society
America was originally a country founded on the concept of being accepting of all people for who they are, no matter their background, beliefs, or looks. However, in 2016 there were 6,100 active hate groups in America (The Washington Post). A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, typically one involving violence.Thus posing the question, have we really progressed towards acceptance since our country was founded?

Thomas Paine, in 1791 adamantly claimed in his book, The Rights of Man, that such behavior of hate crimes is diminished by, “constructing government on the principles of society and the rights of man,”and

with this sound government, “every difficulty retires.” While the foundation seems ideal, it takes a just government to implement the will of the people. It is our job to fight for the differences we would like to see in our country. We should never cease the fight for equality that is now seen as just idealistic, rather than an attainable reality. Paine stated, “there is nothing to engender riots and tumults,” when today many riots occur in effort for progress. Take for example the riots for black lives in Ferguson and St. Louis, Missouri after the case of Michael Brown. Brown was a young African- American who was shot and killed by a white police officer in the small town of Ferguson at the beginning of August, 2014. When he was shot by the officer he was unarmed, but the officer deemed the boy as a threat as he claims the boy came to attack him. A large suspicion of racial prejudice hung over the killing which led the officer being tried for murder, which he was acquitted.

Shortly before the verdict was announced in October I happened to be in Ferguson. The town had been completely wrecked. The businesses that weren’t charred to ashes were boarded up, creating a further economic struggle for the poverty stricken community. The fight for black lives in this town had turned into chaos. Advocates for black lives were even flying in from all across America to organize the rioters and try and form peaceful demonstrations. When the verdict came out for the policeman as not guilty many felt it was an injustice. When the verdict was announced, I viewed the Capital building of Missouri from the top of the St. Louis Arch. Thousands of demonstrators looked like a blanket surrounding the massive building. Their demonstration eventually led to reforms within the justice system in Missouri, and also spurred reform throughout the country. In the 21st century it is difficult to fathom racial prejudice still exists. Paine lived throughout a time where there was still slavery, so America may have freed African-Americans and ceased segregation but prejudice still remains. When we do see such ignorance around us we need to take action, and the best place to start is reforms in the government and laws.

Over time it seems that this will has been ignored as government officials are swayed in our capitalistic society. Whether it be in office or to get into office, government officials may be provided funds for large corporations. Corporations whose main interest is not often times people or the environment, but rather the largest profit. Decisions and bills may be signed by politicians to appease a group of people who will help them in elections, diminishing the basic foundations of a true democracy in our country. Thomas Paine believed our government was strong enough to destroy prejudices and further limit the disparity between the wealthy and poor--yet this has largely remains an ideology. We aim for his vision, but in reality it’s still just a distant vision that can’t be attained without the continuous efforts of all Americans.