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Frederick Douglass "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"
"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" (1852) highlighted the hypocrisy of celebrating American independence while slavery persisted. Douglass pointed out what they celebrated was false, with the brutal reality of slavery, he argued that the holiday was a mockery for enslaved people. His speech till this day impacts society, showing the racial injustice within American society and empowering the abolitionist movement. -
"40 acres and a mule" - Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
"40 acres and a mule" refers to a post-Civil War policy aimed at providing land and resources to formerly enslaved people in the U.S. Potentially each family would receive 40 acres of land and a mule to help them start a new life. This attribute symbolized the struggle for land ownership and economic independence. It's a significant part of American history since it keeps the open discussions about racial equity. -
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, was a declaration of victory, and a reflection on the war's causes and a plea for national reconciliation. Lincoln stated the nation's sin of slavery, emphasizing shared culpability and advocating to rebuild the nation. "With malice toward none, with charity for all" emphasizes national unity, making it the most significant presidential address in American history. -
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson's Impeachment Trial, was a democrat, who was outnumbered by a court full of republicans. They never agreed with him or his plans. Leading and resulting in a third and successful impeachment action, was the firing of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, a Lincoln appointee and ally of the Radical Republicans in Congress. This has stood out in history, how certain individuals go to far extents for things that shouldn’t be a burden. -
Abolitionist W.E.B. Dubois
Dubois was very aware of what the reconstruction era was really going to look like. He stated “the slave went free; stood a brief moment in the sun; then moved back again toward slavery”. It was announced everywhere that slaves would be free, they left out the part where they still wouldn’t have total control over their lives. Dubious led the way for a new point of view to be heard from, to get people in the know of the real provisions. -
James Baldwin - Letter to my Nephew
Baldwin talked about his own harsh experiences being an African American, but also challenged societal norms and injustices in his writing. He was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, with how he advocated for equality. He makes it easy for anyone looking to understand the ongoing fight for justice and equality. -
Prison Reform - Casey T Harris
Individuals in the Black and Hispanic community are prosecuted at higher rates than white individuals in the U.S. This is often visible across various stages of the justice system, from arrests and charges to sentencing and incarceration. There is a lot of bias within law enforcement and the judiciary, which all contribute to this ongoing issue. Ongoing issue that the community is willing to disseminate for justice. -
The Kissing Case
Parents went out with a shotgun to find the two little boys their daughter had just kissed on the cheek. They called the police and charged as molestation. A week went by where they weren’t able to see their family, once they were they were seen as brutally hurt. Then in court the judge said they were guilty because they stayed silent. Since that day people have gained more empathy towards people of different races. -
Ta-Nehisi Coates - Between the World and Me
“Between the World and Me” is a letter to his adolescent son exploring the brutal realities of being Black in America. Talks about racism and its ongoing impact, urging his son to understand and navigate this complex legacy. This letter is raw with all the personally lived experiences that were often overlooked in mainstream discourse, sparking crucial conversations about race and identity til this day. -
Segregation
Segregated neighborhoods significantly changed history with its racial divisions and inequalities in the U.S. So many disadvantages came into play with this act that many were too blinded to see. It was urgent for social justice and equality to appear, leading to landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Promote integration and equal rights, reshaping American society and paving the way for ongoing discussions about race.