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Thomas Jefferson Social Contract

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A social contract is an agreement within a society that benefits the community as a whole. While they are used to help grow a community, social contracts can also be used to discriminate against others. Black people have been dehumanized and mistreated since they arrived on the soil of the now United States because of the social contract of racism. Thomas Jefferson and others formed prejudiced judgments about Black people, including thoughts on their physical appearance, characteristics, and behavior, and used them to support the reasoning for slavery and discrimination. The Black community has made progress in America, but pre-existing thoughts on them, based on racism and stereotypes, have allowed for corrupt systems to fight against this …show more content…

Jefferson believes Black people are not qualified to be held to the same standard as White people, and they are inferior. During Jefferson’s time, the mindset of White people as they are the superior being. When it came to other communities, especially those of color, White people believed they needed to be conquered to be successful. The physical difference in skin complexion between White and Black people created a difference that could not be hidden, making it easier to discriminate. This difference allowed for the division of human beings and the creation of race, a social contract. The darker the person, the less value they obtained. Many of the founding fathers of America possessed slaves. When Thomas Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Independence, he stated “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” (paragraph 2). This sentence, one of the most important sentences in American society, did not apply to Black people. It was believed that black people were not equal, which allowed for slavery and their lives, freedoms, and happiness to be taken away with them in the blink of an eye. The foundation of this country is built on the idea that Black people are of a lower status …show more content…

Through both lenses, however, it’s crucial to understand the trials The Black community has gone through along with how far they have to go. The times have gotten better, and Black people have a sense of freedom in this country; but, the lingering effects of Jefferson are still present and working. The Black community still faces discrimination in various ways and has to fight daily for respect and a sense of value. One day, the Black community will be able to live a life where they truly feel valued and admired, but until then, the fight

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