Virtue Harris
Professor Dean Miller
Government 329
January 25, 2018
American Exceptionalism is very prevalent in society. American Exceptionalism
is what makes America greater than other countries. Gringrcih has defined American
Exceptionalism to be what is declared in the Declaration of Independence, “We Hold
these truths to be self-evident, that all mean 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.” Gringrich states, “The Declaration of Independence was clear that
all men are created equal. There would be no hereditary monarch ruling.”
In the speech given by Congressman Bob McEwan he states, “ There are not two hearts
that beat the same. God has made us each unique. There will never be anyone else like
you.” He goes on to say that we live in a place that mankind is envious of.
I cannot help but partially agree with Gingrich. Yes, all men were created equal, yet they
were not treated so. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 and slavery did
not end until 1865. Even now, years later, are all men treated equally? Or are some still
put above others? There is no denying that all men are created equal yet, men should be
made to feel that their lives are as precious as a king’s life. Men are still put above
women; they make more than women even if they are doing the same job. I agree with
McEwan, God created men all unique in their own way. We each were created for a sole
purpose, no one is the same and no one is to be put above another person. America is
more excepting than most countries. America has made major changes since slavery yet,
there are still racial prejudices all around.
McEwen, Bob. 2011. America the Exceptional. Liberty University Blackboard
site. https://learn.liberty.edu/
Gingrich, Newt. A Nation Like No Other: Why
American Exceptionalism Matters. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing, 2011.
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