Equality and Freedom: Two Presidential Perspectives

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Equality and Freedom
Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan had very different visions of equality and freedom. Johnson believed that the scars that had been accumulated over the centuries could not be wiped away by mere words (Foner, 1001). For true freedom to occur, it was appropriate for the victims of historical injustices to be granted justice. Solving the historical injustices would provide a good ground for starting the healing process. Otherwise, the historical injustices will always reign in the hearts of the affected for generations to come. On the other hand, President Reagan had a very different view on equality and freedom. He believed that Americans had in their power to make the world all over again. Consequently, he believed that Americans had in their power the ability to form a new America where equality and freedom were prevalent. He was very optimistic about many aspects, including freedom, and this factor made him appeal to a large number of Americans.
Johnson advocated for practical freedom. He argued that the equality that Americans seek should not exist as a right and a theory. Rather, it should exist as a fact and a result. One could read from the words of Johnson that he was really passionate about practical freedom. He envisioned a country where every American could have a practical touch of equality and freedom. It was not enough to talk about freedom. It was not enough to keep thinking about how it is like to be free. It would be more important to feel equality and freedo...