The Impunity Crisis

In 1776, The Declaration of Independence was born and drawn up by the citizens of the United States who mutually felt oppressed by the government and its numerous restrictive laws. The purpose of the declaration was to create unity among the people and right the wrongs, yet it did not live to its full extent.

After its success, social impunity was discovered. People took out the "man" in "mankind" and misinterpreted it as being only directed for men. Therefore, the dehumanization of women was still unofficially apparent. In the Incidents in the life of a slave girl, Harriet Jacobs addresses this issue by exposing the mental and physical hardships of a slave girl named Linda. Linda defies her owner by running way so that she could gain freedom. In return, Mr. Flint  (Linda's master) orders a hunt and announces that anyone who returned her to him would receive an award. Due to this, Linda's great idea of freedom morphs into a state of being "freely" trapped in a closet for 7 years. Free, yet not free. 

Free, yet not- this is what Stanton sees after the the Declaration of Independence. It did not affect the lives of women in any way. "He had oppressed her on all sides" (Stanton 39) Society saw this and graciously granted impunity. Thus, the Declaration of Sentiments was born. Its purpose was to permit women immunity from the oppressor and thus, create true unity among the people. Unfortunately, just like the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration of Sentiments did not live to its full extent. 

In the non-fiction article, Black Men and Public Space published in 1986 by Brent Staples, (way after the declarations were installed in our government) is about a black man who is forced to be alert of his actions and understand the cause and effects of them just so that people can feel "safe" or comfortable around him. When Staples and a women were the only two on the street late at night, the women speed-walked away from what she clearly interpreted as "the danger zone". Society granted impunity to the women thus, making it okay for her to not look at the man as a rightful equal.

 Due to the stereotypical environment we are raised in, it has become almost impossible to not judge someone based on their race. As a result of the increasingly large amount of  inequality faced in our world. impunity is also increasing. 

 "What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power, and the power to abuse" -Isabel Allende