We tried to talk it over, but the words got in the way. v.I:I

Cortez shows up on the eastern shore of Mexico and announces he has discovered them. The Aztecs, respectfully say, no we've been here for years, we've created a great culture and everything is hunky-dory.

In a louder and clearer voice, Cortez announces he has discovered them and things are only going to get better. The Aztec leader explains that they have a great and powerful civilization… At which point he is shot and killed.

Cortez then again explains that he discovered them. The second-in-command of the Aztecs tries to explain that they have built pyramids and great temples. In the middle of this explanation he met the same fate as its predecessor.

Thrusting out his chest and in the most commanding voice, Cortez again explained that he discovered and claimed the land for the  monarch of Spain. The third in line to the Aztec world, explained “we are so grateful that you found us, clearly the God of gunpowder is infinitely more powerful than the God of the Sun.”

After discovering the Aztecs, Cortez went about stripping the people of their language. In doing this he insured that they would be slaves. The irony is the Aztecs “had discovered” countless other tribes and allowed them to contribute “to the great culture” by building pyramids and in the mining silver and gold.

Once you take the language from a people, their culture crumbles and they are doomed to a life as second-class citizens.Vocabulary and the nuance of words have specific meanings. Once those meanings are blurred, compromised or redefined communication is obliterated.

Equal is an adjective. The generally accepted definition is: being the same in quantity size, degree or value.

Same is also and adjective. The generally accepted definition is: identical, not different, unchanged.

Understanding the two words are synonyms, while each having distinct meaning is crucial in understanding the meaning of “All men are created equal.” 

The phrase that defines this country has been corrupted. Equal has been subjugated by Same.

We are all equal, we are not all the same. If we were all the same, we would be mutant identical twins.

Grafting the definition of “same”  onto the word equal creates jealousy. “All men are created equal.” Expresses an ideal that we all have the same starting point, the same capacity;  although blessed with different skills and talents… We each possess the ability to achieve a unique place in society and have a significant impact on the world.

Ray Kroc, the patron saint of cupholders in cars, institutionalized fast food and mainstreamed the concept that eating in the car was a good thing.  Albert Schweitzer used his faith to treat the impoverished people in Africa,  despite the fact he never enjoyed a Big Mac.   The rest of us, in our life's work, will fall someplace between these two great champions of what humans can do.  

Accepting we are all equal, requires each of us to appreciate none of us are the same.