Human Nature: The Savage Within Us
             If you compare Mother Theresa and Jeffrey Dahmer, it's difficult to believe that they are the same species. But which of them is an example of the human race in its purest form? Are humans inherently good or evil? With such a broad spectrum of examples, this is quite a perplexing question. However, if you look carefully at our culture in previous civilizations and today, you will find it obvious that humans are uncivilized at heart. Up until one hundred and fifty years ago, blacks and other minorities were enslaved, and lived and worked in the most disgusting and terrifying conditions. Look around today, when every day people brutally murder and rape each other for absolutely no reason. Finally, look at the hundreds of wars that have taken place since the dawn of humanity. Many of these wars were sparked by things as insignificant as a difference of religion or a dispute over a piece of land. After reviewing just these few examples, it is easy to see that humans are born uncivilized.
             The history of slavery in the U.S. is proof enough that humans are basically bad. Throughout history, until roughly one hundred and fifty years ago, humans enslaved other humans just because of the color of their skin. Africans were ripped from their families and tribes, and brought to America on slave ships. These ships were filthy and disease ridden, and packed with as many people as possible. These people spent a three or four month journey confined to a dark, incredibly crowded deck, lying in their own vomit and excretion. Once they got to their plantations, they were force to work excruciating hours of tough manual labor, obviously without pay. Slaves were beaten and killed, and many of the women were raped. Slavery was finally outlawed in the U.S. in 1863 by The Emancipation Proclamation. Treating someone from another race like they are an animal is about as uncivi...