SIX AMERICAN VALUES

The Relevance of the Six American Values in Guiding our Public Debate over and Consultation on the Right to the Pursuit of Happiness

The Relevance of the Six American Values in Guiding our Public Debate over and Consultation on the Right to the Pursuit of Happiness

Introduction

A part of Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech highlighted three key areas pertaining to the equality of rights for people of color and for women in addition to the right to become a productive member of society in the pursuit of success and happiness (King, 2012). This perspective, given by Dr. Martin Luther King, now serves as one of the ideologies that form the pillars on which American society stands. This discussion will focus on the role and relevance of the six American values as present in modern day American society. In order to do so, the discussion will give consideration to the manner in which the integration of the six American values is currently perceived in the frame of reference that centers on equal rights and the pursuit of happiness.

Discussion

Consideration of the six American values is imperative for the development of an adequate direction for strategies for the future (Shu, 2005; Glass, 2006). The concept of American rights comes from the combined influence of the speeches, actions and movements led by the leaders that have given their lives to the American land. The concept holds that every individual has the right to be respected and the right to pursue a better life (Hugenberg & Hugenberg, 2008; Knight, Berkel, Umaña-Taylor, Gonzales, Ettekal, Jaconis & Boyd, 2011). Every individual, regardless of culture, class, creed or color, has the right to access the full service of law and order; without being subjected to any form of prejudice or bias at any point. These rights form the foundation of the American constitution and influence the manner in which the constitution is implemented (Wong, Nguyen, Shu-Yi, Weilin, Steinfeldt & Kim, 2012; Park & Kim, 2008). These rights have the same relevance to the American society that one would expect to be associated with basic human rights under general circumstances (Steele, 2001).

A discussion on the six American values cannot be expected to be complete without giving specific consideration to the value that demands the availability of access to equality and justice without the consideration of color as criteria (Ibáñez & Paraskevopoulos, 2010; Koh, Shao & Wang, 2009). Race based discrimination is considered to have been removed from American society (Fern, 1868). The 1960s and 1970s saw the last few days of race based discrimination in America (Knight, et. Al., 2010; Mazzula, Hage & Carter, 2010). However, it is startling that there is race based discrimination still undeniably evident in countless areas in American society. However, while it is apparent, it is within the lines drawn out by legal regulations and requirements (Dannin, 2005; Pantoja, 2006). Hence making it extremely difficult (and practically impossible) for the influences of the discrimination to be ...