Have the 10 Amendments Inspired Freedom? Six Foreign Prespectives : SOUTH KOREA : America’s Troubling Double Standard

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA —  The U.S. Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy. But the need to firmly establish citizens’ rights has not been a strictly American preoccupation. Safeguarding citizens’ rights against unjust government suppression is an indisputable goal of modern democracy, wherever it attempts to put down roots.

Still, the Bill of Rights is much more than a set of constitutional documents ratified 200 years ago. Rather, it is the model approach to protecting human value in modern history.

But there is a problem: The United States lacks consistency in applying the spirit of its Bill of Rights. When the colonies were struggling to overcome British rule, when they were full of passion for democracy after the War of Independence, America and the Bill of Rights were inseparable. America was the guardian of the noble philosophy embodied in the first 10 amendments.

But now that America has became the superpower of the world, it has been somewhat selective in applying this philosophy. In some cases, America has forced its ideals onto other nations through its diplomacy; at other times, it has supported dictatorial governments, or authoritarian rulers, to serve its interests, conveniently forgetting the spirit of the Bill of Rights.

I have endured many hardships for my belief in human rights and democracy, which is why I have mixed feelings about this U.S. double standard. While the Bill of Rights was my hope and comfort during those times when I resented my government for its lack of support for human rights, I also was bitterly disappointed at the hypocrisy of the U.S. government when it came to applying the human-rights philosophy represented by the Bill of Rights.

Nevertheless, I sincerely hope that the spirit of the Bill of Rights will continue to inspire and encourage people who are fighting for justice and the welfare of mankind.