My Declaration of Independence for the World (Written as a Teen)

A couple of months ago I mentioned that I rewrote the Declaration of Independence for a contest when I was in high school. The topic for the essay was “What Freedom Means to Me.” I won first place in my school and third place in the district. I am still super proud of the plaque I got. As a matter of fact, it hangs on my wall near my desk.

Below is the essay. The part of the Declaration I rewrote is indented. Please keep in mind that I was fifteen when I wrote this. I also won't tolerate negative comments about any of the freedoms that I mention in my speech. Thanks!

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“Freedom means many things. You have the right to be who you want to be whether it’s the President of the United States, a lawyer of the best court, or a makeup and red nose wearing clown. You also have the right to do what you want, even if it’s dancing the funky chicken in your apartment or writing a comic and sending it to the newspaper to be published. But mostly importantly, you’re not owned by another like a slave.

“Freedom can be shown millions of ways such as dying your hair red, white and blue; joining the army to fight for your country; or going to school to get an education. I demonstrate my greatly appreciated freedom, given to me by those who gave their lives for mine, by writing my own Declaration of Independence, which I desperately wish applied to this divided world today. Because I am free, I can write my own Declaration as long as I don’t forget the real Declaration. Who could forget about this famous document signed by the most intelligent and wise men that states our freedom? I don’t think anyone can.

“My World Declaration of Independence starts and ends like so:

“We the people of this large and over-populated world are free. We have the rights of speech, marriage, presidency, education, life, happiness, safety, and choice. No president, government, senate, mayor, or any other high powered, crown-wearing, kingdom and throne bearing person can ignore these rights or make laws against them. If they do, we have the choice to overthrow them with the snap of a finger. Once they are robed of their position, we then have the full power in our hands to find and vote for a new eligible person to take their place. 

The certificate I received. The plaque doesn't show up well in pictures.

Freedom of Speech grants us the honor to express our opinions, as long as they are not hurtful, and not get in trouble. 

Freedom of Marriage allows gays to marry with no protest. 

Freedom of Presidency permits men and women of different races, religions, cultures, or any other feature that separates us from one another to be the President of the United States of America. 

Freedom of Education aids children in foreign countries to go to school. Students from all over the world will have the opportunity to learn from books, computers, and teachers. 

Freedom of Life gives us the chance to live as we see fit. 

Freedom of Happiness admits everyone the chance to find satisfaction and bliss in any way they can, within legal limits, and no one can stop them. 

Freedom of Safety authorizes people to fight for themselves and their loved ones when faced with dangerous situations or people. 

And Freedom of Choice grants women full control over their bodies and the power to say “No!” 

Because we are all free, we are all free to do as we want and please, as long as we do not hurt one another. No king, dictator, or legislator can make us do anything against our dreams, morals, or wishes. We can stand up for ourselves and what we believe in because we can! 

No man can be sold to another man. No man is a slave to another man. No man has the right to start war where loves ones are parted countries away, deprived of many things, and sometimes killed while fighting for their country. No there won’t be any more war likes that or any other kind! 

We have all suffered from slavery, war, poverty, murder, and the list goes on and on full of the evil things we have done to each other. But that ends now with this Declaration! There will be no more terrorism, flag burnings, cults, riots, massacres, bombings, looting, or any other hurtful crime that has happened in the past. 

To make this so, all states and countries will have massive prisons for a sentencing of so many years. The world will be a better place for all and all to come. 

So therefore, unto I speak to you, I declare the people of the world FREE!” 

Every year I visit the moving wall that comes down to Florida. I stare in awe at all the little white names blanketing the movable black marble. I wonder what their last thoughts were before they died in those bloody, life-taking, and freedom-giving battles. Maybe one of them thought, as he lay on the bullet covered ground, “I changed the world with my life and one day we’ll be free so one little girl can write her own Declaration of Independence.”

QUESTION: What would you put in your World Declaration of Independence? 


(P.S. hateful comments will be ignored and deleted.)