War Against Slavery in December 1960 - Research Paper Example

Commentary on the War against slavery (dated December 1960) The war against slavery in America has been a long one and hard earned one. During the last decade, we have seen the black people treated with disrespect and have not been accorded their rights as human beings and as American. The proslavery argue that these people came to our country as slaves and are bound to remain as such. However, what they fail to recognize is that most of us, who currently call ourselves Americans originated are not natives of America. The African Americans have the right of enjoying citizenship just like any other Italian or German who now enjoys the same right. The people among the Caucasian community need to realize that race is skin deep. All people whether white or black have red blood running below the skin and this is what gives them vitality. The Kansas-Nebraska Act has been seen as an important development in the creation for the civil rights movement. From the problems encountered in the formation of this act, it is obvious that there is a part of the American politicians who are yet to embrace race equality as a way of making this great nation progress. However, it is good to note that the majority of the people were against slavery. This is because we have seen the antislavery group in this territory being in greater numbers that the pro-slavery and this is what led to war in Kansa that instigated the development of the civil wars. Abraham Lincoln, the president elect has also failed to give a stand on the issue of equality and race. It seems like just like any other politician, he moves with what makes him popular at that time. It is obvious that Lincoln although being a great leader has failed the minority on this issue. Since his audience has been primarily bee the whites, he has often been quoted expressing racism views that show that he believes in the white superiority over the blacks. However, since the Kansa-Nebraska Act and with the progression of the civil rights war, he has been seen to respond to the pressure and support antiracism through activities such as Emancipation proclamation. It seems that as the black population seeks for equality and removal of racial segregation, the conservative white community who still believe that their color is superior have reacted in the most inhuman way. The case of 1955 where a young boy Emmett Till was brutally killed for the mere act of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi cannot be ignored. It is saddening that a race that calls itself superior could act in such a barbaric way. The perpetrators were arraigned in court by an all whites jury and not surprisingly there were not found guilty. After the trial they boasted of committing this murder and this angered the black community which fueled the civil rights movement. It is a sad state that the judiciary which should be impartial does not recognize the rights of its citizen. I pray that with the current Lincoln government, there will be development of in legislation that will eradicate these forms of social injustices among the black community and other minorities in our country. Nevertheless, there have been some white people who have supported abolition of slavery and racial segregation in a major way. A good example is John Brown who I respect for taking a stand against the social injustices directed to the black community. For instance five years ago, during a board of education meeting in Kansa, Brown fearlessly declared that segregation of the black community in the school system was unconstitutional. This is despite the fact that the white community believed and still belief that they are superior and cannot mix with the black people. Although I do not support the physical means that he has used to support abolitionist, I believe he has played a crucial part which will soon bear fruits of creating a fee society where no one is segregated because of their color, creed or origin. His military action has no doubt threatened the government calling it to respond to the plights of the black community. Although the methods that he has used have been rightfully criticized, he has been the first person that the abolitionist sought. I identify with his view of believing in the humanity of the black race contrary to the beliefs of the white community today. Black people are human beings who suffer the same way we do and go through all the biological processes as we do. They are actually not less intelligent that we are. This can be seen in the few black people who have been lucky enough to get a good education and they have competed equally with the white kids and in some cases even doing better. I however tend to differ with Brown on many points. He was of the view that Africans needed to develop an independent state of their own instead of seeking to incorporate it into the larger union of the American state. In this way, he was bringing about a separation which would stall the development of the county as a whole. America, being a highly homogeneous population would only progress in the diverse groups of people are able to live together in harmony. This is because in unity there is strength as people get greater economic strength. Brown also lacked proper organization and this led to his ultimate defeat and death. He died a hero who having many flaws have left a legacy that is worth writing about. Nonetheless, I believe the state need to learn a lot form this kind of revolt and others related to the civil rights movement and come to the realization that it is time they treated the black community with the dignity they deserve as human being. This country will grow if all people are given equal opportunities to contribute to national building. Being a country that preaches democracy and the first one to adopt the human rights act, we should be free from the issues of racism and inequality. God created all human beings as equals and it is actually a sin for a group of human beings to see themselves superior to others. This is like taking the place of God who is the only superior being. As a matter of fact, when one dies, whether black or white, young or old, educate or illiterate, they all decay and become dust. In order to end the civil war that has shaken our society, we need to embrace change and view our black brothers and sisters as human being. In this way, we will have a healthy society that will thrive and grow into a prosperous country. References Browne, B. T., & Cottrell, R. C. (2010). Lives and times: Individuals and issues in American history. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Read More