Download TKM Exemplary - Grafton Public Schools

Exemplary #1
Thesis: The inequality of men is demonstrated through both biological differences and society's
unreasonable expectations of men.
Genetic components create a wide range of distinction among the human race. Everybody
possesses their own unique characteristics that may or may not be advantageous to their everyday
life. In Atticus Finch's closing speech of Tom Robinson's trial, he touches upon the variance of men
on a biological level when he says "... some people are smarter than others, some people have more
opportunity because they're born with it... some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of
most men" (Source A). It is a fact that every human being is born with different DNA. Contrary to
many adults' redundant condolences to struggling children, some people are not smart, some not
musically gifted, some not athletic, and thus, not equal. DNA determines not only someone's
abilities, or lack thereof, but physical characteristics as well. An individual's appearance coincides
with their genetic code and preceding ancestors (Source D). This exemplifies the literal meaning of
inequality. The physical appearance of one human being is not equivalent to another. On a
biological level, humans are clearly diverse. Although the science of human genetics is often
considered fascinating, the social consequences of individuality are tremendously horrific.
Society creates unrealistic expectations for individuals, and furthermore punishes them with
unfair criticism if they are not met. On a daily basis, a person is harshly judged by their race, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, appearance, interests, and more. Any discrepancy with the societal
norm and one is considered an outcast. For example, the Brown v. Board case declared the
separation of education based on race unconstitutional. As a result, nine Negro girls courageously
volunteered to experiment with integrated schools. Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine,
faced vicious discrimination from her inimical peers, due to merely the color of her skin. The photo
taken of Elizabeth captures the cruelty of society towards defenseless outcasts (Source E). Although
one might argue that the Brown v. Board case created legal equality for African Americans, there is
no way to guarantee that they were socially equal. The relentless tormenting and bullying that
these nine girls endured created a reprehensible atmosphere for them in contrast to their white
peers. Additionally, society leads humans to blindly give in to mob mentality, which causes groups
to treat those who may not act according to the desires of society, poorly. Throughout the twentieth
century, African Americans were commonly accused of raping white women by white families, and
one can draw comparisons between many of these horrific stories. For example, the biased
outcome of Tom Robinson's trial in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird was eerily similar to that of the
Scottsboro boys. In both cases, the plaintiffs had shaky, unreliable witnesses and overwhelming
proof that the defendants were innocent (Sources A and E). However, mob mentality leads many
people to follow the leader in order to fit in with the crowd, avoiding conspicuity and to potentially
face unequal treatment. The way that the law legislates equality and how it functions in society are
polar opposites. In everyday life, ignorance to the feelings of others is abundant when it comes to
someone who may not meet the standards of "normal". Furthermore, there is a disturbing lack of
empathy, which is the reason for an unbearable presence of prejudice and a painful absence of
kindness in the past, present, and certainly the future. Although all men should be treated the same,
our differences make it impossible to be fully accepted by society.
Exemplary #2
Equality is a splendid dream. It would be the small, medial point sitting amongst all other
extreme forms of society. It would please and satisfy each and every individual living within it.
However, though, is it at all realistic? The United States of America, for instance, is founded upon
the belief that "all men are created equal", as the Declaration of Independence states (Source F).
Time and time again, however, equality fails to manifest itself, as apparent in the poor treatment of
African Americans in this supposedly "equal" nation's history. The black population in the United
States has endured slavery, prejudice, and hateful discrimination. This is not equality, and
regardless of what many may want to believe, men are not created equal, not in the United States,
not anywhere on the globe. To be created equal, all humans must be born equal, be viewed as an
equal, and be treated like an equal. These three factors can be translated into biological, social, and
legal equality, none of which mankind actually possesses.
Topic Sentence: The very first phase of the creation of a human being is fertilization and
birth.
Topic Sentence: Society is self-centered, yet it is the only place for mankind to be created
and developed. By human nature, men do not treat one another with equality, and there will always
be prejudice, discrimination, and struggle to overpower others.
…
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s renowned speech, "I Have a Dream", is quite valid in the sense that
it connects equality to a dream. It is just that. Men are not created equally in the world, not
biologically, not socially, and not by the law. Humans are born with natural differences; these
differences cause social prejudices, and these prejudices eventually become so strong and so
widespread that they are weaved into law. The lack of equality amongst men is the result of a chain
reaction, all deriving back to nature and the dissimilarities it creates in physical and mental
features. Due to this factor, inequality may not be a negative trait of the world. It is not nature's
intention for all of mankind to be clones of each other, and it is implausible for all humans to
respect each other's differences. Total equality would form a muted world with no shapes, no
colors, and no variation. That, in reality, is just a dystopia.