Final Essay on American Values ​​The United States was founded on six essential values: freedom, equality, pursuit of truth, respect for dissent, self-reliance, and tolerance. Each of these values ​​is not only evident today, but is necessary for the future success of the United States. The philosophy of our democratic representative government was founded on ancient concepts and the implementation of these values. However, as a society, we do not always incorporate these values ​​into our decision-making process. This is evident in debates regarding our racial and ethnic history, equal rights (women), immigration, and the role of religion. While the United States Constitution would not have had the breadth and depth without the vast experiences, respect for dissent, and tolerance shown by the Founding Fathers, as a society we do not always exhibit the same qualities. This essay will discuss how the six essential values ​​should guide us in discussions about racial and ethnic history, equal rights (women), immigration, and the role of religion. Historically, as a country we have ignored many of the values ​​our nation is based on our racial and ethnic past. Freedom is the state of being free, of enjoying social, political or economic rights and privileges, the power of choice (Freedom, n.d.). Freedom should not be limited by sex, race or ethnic origin. “The rich legacy of justice, freedom, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me.” (Douglass, 1852) to think that a former slave would be asked to speak at an event regarding the Fourth of July, a holiday meant to celebrate our freedom, which we deprived Mr. Douglass of. Legal equality and… middle of paper… illusion, each of the six values ​​continued to build upon each other to give us the government we have today and guide us on the journey of racial/racial struggle. ethnic rights, women's rights, immigration and religion in government. Tolerance opens the door to the patience to respect ideas different from our own, these ideas can be expressed through the freedoms afforded to all individuals, by exploring those ideas we can pursue the truths necessary to make informed decisions that will continue to allow us to be self-sufficient. These values ​​will guide us to continue to make progress not only in these four debates but also in numerous other issues facing our country. It is important to understand that these values ​​constitute a foundation, a map, a moral guide to help each of us broaden our perspectives, interact positively with others and thrive in diversity..