NOTES


 * Three instances of resistance to slavery that you have read/heard about. **


 * The first resistance I’d like to mention is the Underground Railroad, a secret society of WHITE men and women helping slaves escape to freedom. The Underground Railroad was a group of safe houses across the country where slaves could hide until they made it across the boarder. This goes against every political and social norm of the time era. The men and women who ran the Underground Railroad showed great courage in putting their life on the line for others. Harriet Tubman, a black woman and slave, was well known as a Conductor of the Underground Railroad. Her job was to guide naïve slaves on their journey through the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was extremely skilled at her job and this made her one of the only people in history to be a Conductor on the Underground Railroad. Harriet led over 300 slaves to freedom and made nineteen trips on the Underground Railroad. **


 * The second resistance is the Civil War where Abraham Lincoln forged a war on his own country to abolish something he truly believed unjust. It’s hard enough to become a President and deal with the normal duties, responsibility, and pressures that come along with it. To also to do something as revolutionary as start a war on your own nation really sticks out in my mind as the biggest act against slavery. The war started in 1861 and ended five years later. The Northern states, “the Union” fought against the seceded Southern states, “the Confederacy.” The leader of the Union was Ulysses S. Grant. The leader of the Confederacy was Robert E. Lee. The war was fought over the abolishment of slavery and ended in the Union triumphing. Even though slavery became illegal in 1865, it still took up to three years for many plantation owners to free their slaves. **


 * The third example of resistan ** ce is Canada, a country that opened its boarders and became a land for hope for American slaves who wanted their freedom. If Canada had simply followed the Americans and used slavery as an economic chain, there wouldn't be any hope for the slaves who wanted to escape to freedom. This would have changed the whole history of our country. Once in Canada the slaves were given a plot of land and asked to not bother the political or social governance of the country. They were free from slavery, but not full Canadian citizens. They didn’t have the right to vote and did not hold positions of power and leadership.


 * Write about one or two African Americans that you have head speak or whose speeches you have read in the newspapers**


 * I’ve met the mayor Michael Nutter at the reopening of my neighborhood park, Clark Park in West Philadelphia. Mr. Mayor gave a speech about how far we (the United States) have come, and how great it is to be able to open another non- segregated safe environment for children of all colors and cultures to play and learn. It was only a few decades ago when white children and African American children couldn't drink from the same fountain. Now there is another neighborhood community center for all races. Before the park was there but the basketball court was in shambles and while the rest of the park looked nice the basketball court brought down the appearance and standards of the park. Now it is clear that Clark Park is a prestigious and safe park in all its facilities. **

I heard Barak Obama’s inauguration speech. This was where Barak Obama talked about his plan for our country and what he’s been through to get to the position where he can help us. Barak Obama grew up in Hawaii and Chicago and faced prejudice his whole life. When he was in high school his teachers did not think he could succeed and Mr. Obama couldn’t afford to go to a better school. Obama did not, however, give up his dream of becoming the President of the United States. He always knew that was what he wanted to do.
 * Mr. Nutter’s speech inspired me because he had fought obstacles being an African American politician and was still able to carry himself with respect and honesty. Mr. Nutter is an example that no matter what race you are or what culture you are you can become a leader. I look up to Mr. Nutter as one the great leaders of Philadelphia. **
 * While re-opening a playground isn’t the most important duty a mayor has, it still shows he is involved in the community and cares about his work, which are some of the traits that I really care about a politician and leader. **

Also in the inauguration speech he talked about his plan to cut out any remains of racism or prejudice in general. He wanted people to understand that even in the current day, racism is real and needs to be stopped. He talked about improving our nation’s health care system and public schools. He also talked about tax cuts for poor people, and improving the failing economy for everybody.


 * Option 1: What is slavery and why does it exist? **


 * Slavery is the strength of one dominant culture torturing another that has less power. My ancestors were rounded up in Africa and shipped on boats over to the Americas where they lost all of their freedom. **


 * It is an economic system that exploited in every horrible way the lives of African Americans. Slaves are used to produce different plantation goods that were then sold to other white families, as well as servitude without compensation. Slaves are thought of as 75% livestock and 25% human. Children of slaves are sold and bought like property. **


 * Slavery existed in greater numbers in the Southern United States. Slavery existed because it was an easy way for white people to make more money and do less work. Even after the end of the Civil War, when slavery became illegal, it still took a long time for African Americans to become full citizens. Many were separated from the families and never found them again. **Fortunately none of my family has been sold but sometimes i get the feeling Master wants to get rid of me.

Today (1860) slavery is legal and it happens everywhere especially in the southern states of the country. African Americans such as my self are treated as nothing more than livestock with no rights. Police will not help us and neither will the government all the heads of power are racist against my people. If we do something wrong we don't get sent to jail we get whipped or killed, and if we try to obtain our own freedom we are treated as fugitives from the law.

Slavery needs to be seen for what it really torture and pain from one race to another. I have done nothing wrong and yet i am punished.
 * As long as one group of people has privileges that another doesn’t, it will never be a just system. **


 * Reflect on the Civil War; where is the country headed in 1865? **
 * The Civil War was a battle between the seceded Confederate states who opposed slavery and the Northern Union States who are against slavery. The Confederacy didn’t think it was o.k. for the President, Abraham Lincoln, to take away slavery so they left the United States. This started a war throughout the Union and Confederacy that turned into the Civil War. The war has just ended a few months ago, with Robert E. Lee surrendering and the Union defeating the Confederacy and abolishing slavery. I think by the end of this year that slavery will have been greatly diminished, but not over. Some plantation owners are powerful enough to break the law for years to come. If the Union and Northern states think the battle was over, they were greatly mistaken. I will do my part, however, to continue the fight against slavery. **
 * During my time in both the Confederate and Union armies, I got to see first hand the differences of culture and opinion between Northern citizens and Southern citizens. The Civil War was not only over slavery but also it was the end of an era for a way of life. By this I mean the end of humans being treated as property. I’m sure that my people will not have full civil rights for centuries. I feel like though every day new progress is made. For example, since the end of the Civil War more and more slaves have become free and started new lives chasing their hopes and dreams. **
 * The Confederacy is no more, and the Americas are headed in the right direction with Abraham Lincoln in power. Although I fear that there will be a rebellion soon and an attempt on his life. I hope I am wrong. This country is headed to new and brighter days where we can focus on other things than one race struggling against another. I hope that in the near future, all human beings will have the same equal opportunities regardless of their skin color. I look forward to the day when we have an African American President, although I don’t think that will be for a long time yet. **


 * What were the ideals for which the Revolutionary War was fought? **
 * The Revolutionary War was when the Americas was first founded by George Washington. Europe had found North America and didn’t know what to do with it yet. Meanwhile, back in England American colonies were not being treated with the same rights as noblemen and were given too high taxes to pay. So the colonies lead by George Washington sailed across the North Atlantic Ocean to get to what is now America. They then still had to fight for their freedom and their land, against the British but ended up winning and becoming their own nation and free land. Somewhere along the road the Americans started shipping to Africa to capture free native Africans and bring them to the United States to be their slaves. **
 * I think that if George Washington was still alive, he would not allow black people to be in the state of torture and hopelessness that we are. I know George Washington did have slaves, but I also hear he treated them with respect and nobility. What has happened is my people have sunk even lower than the colonies were back in Europe. We don’t have the resources or power to start our own revolutionary war. Now that my people are in shambles we need a George Washington-ish hero to come along and set my people free. **
 * The Revolutionary War was started to allow freedom, yet once the now Americans got their freedom they have used it to invoke chains on another culture. It is hard for me to realize that this is just the cycle of the human life and I refuse to accept it. I know for a fact that if my people ever get free we will not find a new culture to enslave. We have felt the tragedies of being slaves and I do not see it possible for my people to do that to a new, unsuspecting race of people. **
 * If I were to go back to the when the Constitution was written I would try to insist that all people are created equally and should be treated that way should be put in as an amendment. **