Through “Our” Eyes
Along with life and personal security, liberty is one of the most important key ideas to which our nation was established upon. An individual’s freedom to express their beliefs in any way, shape or form is what we Americans are proud of. It has become part of our basic human rights. However, it can be said that our nation has gone down the path of regression. Although we have made tremendous strides in becoming a better society, issues regarding our moral integrity come into question. What was once a nation of liberty, the United States has become a place conflicted within itself. Glenn Loury’s essay, “A Nation of Jailors” focuses on the compelling moral problems that are plaguing the American social structure. To further expand on the moral dilemma we are facing with our …show more content…
Though some may not recognize the tone the writer intends to create, the use of certain key words and phrases help translate the author’s feelings to the reader. Throughout the essay, phrases like “them away from us” (3) and “we should be ashamed of ourselves” (3) illustrate the dismayed feelings that many of us readers carry. Loury notes that “this issue is personal for me…I envision voiceless and despairing people who would have me speak on their behalf” (3). This personal experience reinforces his credibility amongst his audience, and validates his main argument. In regards to the subject of societal responsibility, Loury implies that we “made collective decisions on social and incarceration policy questions, and we benefit from those decisions. That is, we benefit from a system of suffering, rooted in state violence, meted out at our behest” (5). He wants to demonstrate that the moral challenges we face today are problems we cannot ignore; subsequently, the examples we set today will determine the attitudes and approach of future