The Martin Case Causes Divide in America's 'Universal Values'

After Zimmerman was acquitted in the Martin case, it sparked a wave of protests in cities across the U.S. calling for an end to discrimination and the abolition of biased laws. This incident leads us to think about and debate America’s social system, as well as America’s common use of the phrase “universal value.”

If we state that this concept of universal human values really exists, this should be a basic building block for equality. In democracy, the topic of human rights in politics is a wide field. There are many areas to be disputed, but the concept of equality is clear and indisputable.

After the Martin verdict [and] the demonstrations that have swept across America, let us examine their so-called equality, as well as what can be referred to as “human rights.” Even in America there is not a definite general consensus. In American society there are serious divides revolving around this concept of universal values. With America’s different ethnic and political groups and the controversies between them, it makes it difficult to define what these concepts even are and how to defend them.

This week America also experienced another incident: The city of Detroit declared bankruptcy. This means that Detroit’s 700,000 citizens are entering a situation where there is no government to look out for them. This has the potential to cause people’s everyday lives to crumble, as people are dependent on their surroundings.

American government, at least in Detroit, is unexpectedly facing a big problem. Many people can’t afford to pay taxes, causing a shortage of funds, creating a lack of ability to change. This then causes the local government to unexpectedly declare bankruptcy, breaking the local government from their responsibility to the common people. A government should be held responsible for its people; this should be a universal value in a modern society.

We’ve come to realize America’s internal problems are numerous, many involving opinions on the value of humanity. America’s legal systems are quite strong, and in dealing with demonstrators, America doesn’t hesitate to use force, maintaining America’s unity — at least in mainstream society.

America mostly uses the phrase universal value in foreign relations. It uses this phrase mostly for its own benefit, not necessarily out of any true belief in it. For example, the people’s thoughts on human value and goals are similar. However, America dictates which opinion is most beneficial and will defend the favored party’s actions with the defense of universal values. America wants results to comply with its political traditions and sense of superiority and to be beneficial in foreign relations, using media to relay America’s public opinion to the world.

We can say America has chosen to present its good side to the world, but its good side also needs universal values, which is another matter. We can see even a truly equal America is difficult. To establish undisputed universal values, at the very least every country should jointly discuss what equality is, and from this the definition, universal values would be determined by everyone. But who has ever seen this sort of international conference? America and its Western allies always have the final say.

According to America, it isn’t really about what the people say things are, it’s about what benefits America’s operation and not really even for the benefit of its people. America’s grasp of universal values is flexible. It can use them to put pressure on Syria, Iran and other governments as a political tool, it can use them to interfere in China and Russia’s affairs — but America can also change its definition at a whim in relations with other countries such as Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally. All actions are for America’s own benefit.

America has many more incidents like the Martin case, demonstrating to other countries how such incidents are dealt with. A developed country like America, where narcissism is used in place of beliefs, has used such incidents to control standards set by the world. Too many other countries are without any great influence, accustomed to saying, “America says it’s possible, so it must be right.”

In considering America we need to re-evaluate our thinking and understanding. Before our level was insufficient. We lived in ignorance. Today, we’ve grown and gained knowledge, enabling us to have an equal opinion in matters of economics, military affairs and politics. We must remember when dealing with this powerful country that not everything it says is correct; a good majority of proclamations are designed to present a controlling attitude to sway the world to its benefit.

We need to carefully watch what happens next after the Martin case and how Detroit deals with its bankruptcy crisis. These small incidents can allow us to understand how America is using them to manipulate others.