The Conclusion

Civil rights are freedom principals that we govern our self under. This blog enlighten people with topics of power. If you were looking for entertainment maybe my blog was not for you, but to the people willing to learn something about where there gender or ethnicity started or even sexual preference I hope you were pleased.  My three core topics African Americans, Women, and the gay community are all three distinctive groups that have over came something they should of never had to faced to begin with. My transition of each were in a timely order due to there relevance today. My goal at the end of the day was to simply teach someone something new. If my blog has inspired anyone to take a second look at Americas history I consider it a job well done. 

Creating this blog has been a great experience and helped me understand so much I couldn't comprehended before. I was shy to speak on some of these topics because I never wanted to disrespect anyone and the thought of people that have no idea who I am commenting on my thoughts did not help either. This whole blog has made me realize I do have a voice and that voice gets respected with the facts and documentation to back up your opinion. Is this the end? I am sad to say yes due to other goals dreams of mine this would just be a distraction. What I can say is when I receive my degree and teachers license my first class will get to see how much power you truly have behind a keyboard.            

Same Sex Rights Are Civil Rights

Same sex marriage an issue that is evolving today. America which used to be a strictly gay free country to now having seventeen states where gay marriage is legal. we are almost at a half and half situation being a powerful nation I think we should come to an agreement instead of having the nation divided. People have despised gay marriage due to religious views. Gay rights activist believe if there aloud freedom of religion then they should be aloud to love who they please. Another reason protester of gays are against it, is due to what it can evolve to.They believe that if we allow gay marriage then we will soon allow  giving people in polygamous, incestuous, bestial, and other nontraditional relationships the right to marry. This issue is very controversial, I personally am undecided on thought of gay marriages or any gay rights. I don't understand how two men could teach a girl some things that they will never experience, when it comes to the morals of a lady I don't believe those things are teachable coming from a man. I question the after effect no matter how much states decided to legalize it some of our population will always be against it how will someone that is for it be able to have a respectful relationship with someone who isn't.   The way I feel our society portrays gay people in a whole is as if there not a human. Athletes within the NBA and NFL are coming out as gays and we portray it as this huge announcement that can change everything as we know it today. I believe being gay is someone personal business that we simply have to respect at the end of the day. Gay rights are civil rights and these people do deserve to care for who they want, but the way gays go about it cant be forced just like women, and African American rights it takes time to move forward from discrimination.  

 

Women Power

Hey bloggers, most if not all my blogs have been about the African-American civil rights movement, but this blog I am acknowledging  women not black or white but the gender in general. Women going all the way back to colonial times never had a voice a in anything important. Women being able to vote, wear what they want, or even own there on property at one point of time. Men in history believed all women were good for was cooking and giving birth. In fact black men were able to vote almost half a century before women could in general. I wonder why men treated women so unfairly? The thought of women with any type of power did not come until the year 1848

In 1848 The first women convention was held in New York (Imbornoni). This convention started the beginning of a change. A rough estimate of sixty-eight woman and thirty-two men signed a Deceleration of Sentiment, this deceleration was a way of women showing their demand to vote (Imbornoni). I am sure those thirty-two men got looked upon harshly for being the first to decide a change needs to be taken place. Women came of a point of view of natural rights, they believed that is was a born american right to have a say in any political issue that governs them and they did deserve it.

Susan B. Anthony was the Martin Luther King of her movement, she was hated at first by a lot of men for  her leadership of starting this women revolt (Imbornoni). Anthony along with others started the NAWSA (National American Women Suffrage Association), This association main goal was to be treated equally among others. A interesting fact about this group is they weren't so equal themselves at first, black women weren't apart of this group of females at first (Imbornoni). There goal was to aim for all white women to have a chance to vote the first three years of there movement. Until Anthony realized that all the women together no matter what color were stronger then separated.

As black and white women joined together the first group that wasn't segregated were the WTUL (National Women's Trade Union League (Imbornoni). This league improved the conditions and wages of all women no matter what color (Imbornoni). Women have surely came along way from these times of campaign, I wonder how women of the 21st century would go about all of this if they were in there shoes with all the knowledge today. It is very clear that women have a voice today to even almost seeing a women president in office, to them being judges doctors and all other figures of power.

Reasons why I think men feel or felt women weren't worth any power came from strength, Men being competitive naturally a women couldn't compare when it came to strength or anything physical. There emotions during "Mother Natures Week", instead of thoughtful thinking can determine there judgement. Another reason would be the inactivity of women during pregnancy logically women just aren't capable doing as much as they could if they were not pregnant and that phase is nine months as we all know.      


Imbornoni, Ann-Marie T. "Women's Rights Movement in the U.S." Infoplease. Infoplease, 14 Sept. 2007. Web. 01 Apr. 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenstimeline1.html>.

Democratic Party- Oppositions of Civil Rights

The Democratic Party known to some as the oldest political party, were not as active in the bettering of our country when it came to our poor segregated times this which I was not made aware of until I found a blog speaking on this topic called “The Real Democratic Party”(Washington). The democrats in fact passed the Repeal act of 1894 that overturned civil rights laws enacted by republicans. Democratic Party was once known as the slave party to this country (Washington). They looked at slaves as money making machines, which in fact they were but I guess they were blind to the cruel and unusual punishment these slaved were forced to be brought upon them.
The Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854 a bill passed by the democrats, adding more slave states to this country was the first sign of an opposition brought upon banning of slavery (Walker). Though the democrats reasoning came from an economical point of view, it caused major conflict with civil war approaching. The Democratic Party fought to expand slavery while the Republican Party fought to end it (Walker).
The Democratic Party fought against anti-lynching, to show discipline towards all blacks which lead to there displacement of the enforcement act passed by the Republicans which banned the Ku Klux Klan (Johnson). Democrats also opposed educating blacks, realizing that knowledge is power giving blacks there education would of gave them more of a reason to revolt against the unjust laws.
Democrat’s being the oldest party I think it was harder for them to adjust to a new world where African-Americans were treated like human beings. When you see something working and you’re making money off of it, I assume they felt they had no reason to stop. Me being Republican I have other disagreements with the political party as a whole but I can at least see there reasoning behind what they did. Being as old as they were during these unequal times they weren't accepting to blacks being as equal as them over the fear of change. I’m sure a lot of people aren't aware of what the Democratic Party did just to keep slavery going on, I wonder if this can change a person’s opinion on them now. An interesting fact to have you thinking, as of 2004, the Democrat Party (the oldest political party in America) has never elected a black man to the United States Senate, the Republicans have elected three (Washington).


    "The Real Democratic Party." The Real Democratic Party. Ed. Sean M. Washington. The KKK Was The Terrorist Wigs, 3 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://realdemocrathistory.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/the-kkk-was-the-terrorist-wing-of-the-democrat-party/>.

Johnson, Peter C. "Anti-Lynching_Democratic Thoughts." RSS. EIB WEB PAGE DISGRONIFIER, 4 Jan. 2005. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. <http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2005/06/15/democrat_filibusters_blocked_anti_lynching_laws2>.

Walker, Anthony M. "Kansas-Nebraska Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 23 May 2007. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. <http://www.history.com/topics/kansas-nebraska-act>.

X_Man

     

Malcolm X is one of the most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925.  He grew up in a foster home after his fathers death and after his mother being checked into a mental institution.  He dropped out of school and moved to Boston and lived a life of crime. I think this is where American already judged Malcolm X. He was convicted of his crimes and sent to prison (Ross).  This is where he found the Nation of Islam and became self-educated. He dropped his last name and replaced it with an X. He uplifted the self-esteem of African Americans by saying, “Black is Beautiful.” (Ross)
Malcolm X was a Black Nationalist in the 1960s believing in self-empowerment and self-improvement. People portrayed him to be the opposite of Martin Luther King Jr. because of their different philosophies.  He stood out from other Civil Rights activists because he believed that African Americans should be separated from whites and to have nothing to do with their society, while the others wanted integration and equality for all. (Ross)
One of his most famous quotes was,  “We declare our right on this earth.  To be a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”  The words “by any means necessary” became his slogan.(Ross)  Many people thought he supported the act of violence and portrayed him as a racist because of his comments about President Kennedy’s Assassination saying, “Chickens Coming Home To Roost.”  Malcolm X was misunderstood. His message and practices were only for African American performing self-defense, self-reliance, and self-respect.  He influenced many African Americans to stand up and fight racism proactively.(Smith)
Malcolm X was one of the members of the Nation of Islam and started the clash with the leader Elijah Muhammad, over how the organization should handle issues. Muhammad suspended Malcolm for his comments about President Kennedy.  The Nation of Islam had some rivalries and jealousy between Malcolm and other members.  Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Mecca and converted to traditional Islam.  When he returned to America with the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and he broke away from the Nation of Islam and started to form his organization called the Organization of Afro-American Unity.  “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.”(Smith)  This organization worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and collaborated with African presidents.  This caused a rift between him and the Nation of Islam, because his organization began to grow and gain more followers. The FBI and the CIA saw Malcolm as a top threat to society.  They used tactics and personnel to target Malcolm because of his relations with Africans and they saw him as a risk for vast amounts of money for American corporations.  He was reportedly, shot to death by three African American Muslims while giving a speech in New York City. (Smith)
After his death his teachings lived on after his death and influenced many black power organizations including the Black Panther Party.  There organization used a lot of his values like self-defense and self-empowerment. (Smith)
His legacy still lives on today, because many cities throughout the country have a Malcolm X Day, which is celebrated on his birthday.  Musical artists use references from his beliefs and his quotes. The Jungle Brothers, Public Enemy, and Intelligent Hoodlum and many more all sampled from Malcolm X.  He has had a self-entitled film and an autobiography written about his life. He is an icon and his image displayed in the thousands all around this country.


Ross, Peter M. "Biography." The Official Malcolm X. A Strong Black Man, 4 Mar. 2000. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.html>.

Smith, TJ M. "Malcolm X." Americans Who Tell The Truth. We Will Be Free, 12 Oct. 1999. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/malcolm-x>.

Jackie Robinson The Man That Proved The World Wrong

Jackie Robinson the man that paved the way for all African American athletes breaking the racial barriers to be the first African American professional athlete. Mr. Robinson was a premier athlete that was known for stealing bases. A man by the name of Branch Rickey 1st recognized the talent in Mr. Robinson. He saw skill and character of a player rather then the color of his skin. Mr. Rickey was a professional baseball player for the dodgers at this time but he also played for UCLA so he often came back and watched the baseball team that he once played for.  What many people don’t know is Mr. Robinson was a student of UCLA receiving four varsity letters in four different sports Track Field, Baseball, and Football and boxing. To be one of the top athletes at his school I find it funny that he was forced to leave due to a financial situation, but at that time of day blacks weren't given scholarships. (Worthy) From the years 1942 to 1944 Mr. Rickey stopped worrying about Jackie because he decided to enlist in the military. Mr.  Robinson did not want to go but was forced to help his family put food on the table. Mr. Robinson never faced combat due to being discharged from the military due to a political act of not giving up his seat to a white man on a bus. (Worthy)
Mr. Robinson was known for his attitude and little tolerance to racism through out his life so him becoming the first African American to enter the Majors would be the hardest task for him yet. When Mr. Robinson was discharged he joined the Negro league where his numbers were outstanding. Not say the Negro league was full of amateurs but it was clear from an early start that
Jackie needed more competition (Worthy). At this point of time Branch Rickey became the manager of the Dodgers and once finding out that Mr. Robinson was still as good as he was in college if not better he knew he had to sign him to a deal. Mr. Rickey was very hesitant at first something many people don’t know is the decision he made of signing Mr. Robinson almost cost him his job after making such a huge decision with only being a Manger for two seasons. (Worthy)
Branch knew this was decision would change the face of baseball. A change that was long overdue I  personally think. Jackie made it clear from the start that he wasn't here to be an experiment and if that was Mr. Rickey’s  plan to not even waste his time.(Worthy) Mr. Robinson had a slow start to his major league career. He was a main target whites saw him as competition. They didn't even give him a chance throwing balls straight at him. That is where his true skill was defined learning to steal bases that is where he was most productive he looked at it as if you were not gonna give me a chance to hit I will learn to steal bases and score on my own and he was indeed very good at it.(Worthy)
 Mr. Robinson was known for getting in trouble frequently dealing with the discrimination he faced. One indecent almost costing him his career. What many people don't know in Kentucky the year 1952, Mr. Robinson was arrested for assaulting a white man after his game was sentenced to jail and missed two games. Mr. Rickey was already aware of how the incident started do to something racial but when spoken to Robinson his most famous quote said to him " I don't want a player strong enough to fight, but a player strong enough to walk away" (Cloumns). That is finally when Robinson reached his peak in his professional career, he tuned out everything all to focus on baseball. He soon gained the respect of all his teammates and the dodgers became a championship contender. Mr. Robinson led his team to win a championship the year of 1955. Jackie Robinson overall career was outstanding being one of the best second base men to play in history also being inducted into the hall of fame (Cloumus).

Mr. Robinson career is still long lived a movie was recently made about him called "42" , portraying his life. Mr. Robinson faced the world and conquered not to say his skills didn't speak for them self but to have everyone begging to see you fail I believe Robinson did indeed excel. His number is retired on the dodgers but they are in talks of his son James Robinson wearing his number if he plays for the dodgers.(Cloumns) To be a leader during the civil rights you don't always have to have people to follow you sometimes just by doing the right thing you get the attention of so many. I know Mr. Robinson was considered a hero to all black young men that played baseball. He may of had a few bumps along the way but I appreciate Jackie Robinson for all he did for breaking the lines my only question is I wonder if Jackie knows the impact he really had on so many of us? Did he know how big it really was to be the first black man in the majors?.... The world will never know, Thank you Jackie.

Cloumns, More P. "Jackie Robinson Was a Legend as a Player, as Well as a Pioneer." SI.com. Sports Illustrated, 32 Mar. 2003. Web. 26 Feb. 2014

Worthy, Peter M. "Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball's Color Barrier, 1945." Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball's Color Barrier, 1945. BLACK AMERICA, 1 Feb. 1999. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://eyewitnesstohistory.com/robinson.htm>.

      

Harriet Tubman- The Union Spy

Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and a union spy during the American Civil War during the years of 1861-1865.  Being born into slavery in 1819 her life was not easy.  She was raised under very harsh conditions including being whipped as a child.  As years passed, at the age of 25 Harriet Tubman married John Tubman, who was a free African American male.  A few years later fearing that Harriet would be sold to the south, she made her escape.
Her first stop was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Here is where she met William Still, the station master of the Underground Railroad.  With the help of Will, Harriet became quite familiar with the use of the Underground Railroad and how it operates.  Harriet used the Underground Railroad to help withhold many friends and family members in the process of escaping from slavery.  She led them safely to the northern Free states and to Canada. It was very threatening to be a runaway slave. Whenever Tubman led a group of slaves to freedom, she placed herself in a tremendous amount of danger. There was a bounty offered for her capture because she was a fugitive slave herself, and she was breaking the law in slave states by helping other slaves escape. Tubman made 19 trips to Maryland and helped 300 people to freedom.  During these treacherous journeys she helped rescue members of her own family, including her 70-year-old parents. At one point, rewards for Tubman's capture totaled $40,000. Yet, she was never captured and never failed to deliver her "passengers" to safety.  (BradFord)
Despite Harriet’s reward for her capture, she was never betrayed. Her work was worshiped upon by many.  She was known as the Underground Railroads greatest conductor, and was sometimes referred to “the Moses of her people”, while leading them out of slavery.   With that being said, Harriet Tubman was a great leader during the Civil war, whether it was while leading people towards the underground railroad, or let alone, an African American women.  Harriet is still glorified by many till this day.

Bradford, Sarah.  Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People.  New York Corinth Books, 1886.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/tubman/aa_tubman_rail_1.html