First Year Seminar Blog

In class today we discussed the Case of Brown Vs the Board of Education and the effects it would have on the advancement of our Black populous. The 2 groups that presented the information staged a Mock trial and had to argue their assigned sides. In regards to who I believe brought a better argument, it would have to be Brown's side for multiple aspects. In the eyes of the law their side argued that segregation was a violation of any black persons 14th amendment. If under the guise that separate but equal was actually legitimate then this argument would have no ruling, as Plessy Vs Ferguson would not have been overruled. However, segregation was notoriously unequal, as systemic racism had been fueling the divide for almost 300 years.  I feel that Brown Vs the Board of Education was key turning point in the advancement of African Americans and finally allowed for the equal treatment of an oppressed people.  If Brown Vs the Board of Education hadn't happened I feel segregation w...

In class we played a character from history and discussed their ideologies concerning slavery as our own. In regards to my opinion concerning which side won, it is clearly Anti-slavery. The arguments brought from Pro-Slavery people were messy and did not deviate from clear personal gain. I personally represented my ancestor John Calhoun, but do not share his beliefs. He was a proponent of slavery due to believing the south was entitled to these rights and the north should be in compliance with such. The slavery argument in modern times is very hard to debate because it's clearly wrong. Therefore I personally think the Anti-Slavery side was correct, but read this carefully. Some of those that represented Anti-Slavery still had slaves. Specifically Thomas Jefferson, who said it was a horrible blot on American history but would profit from slaves his entire adult life. These people were hypocrites yet you can also see they lived in a very different time frame. Maybe because the world ...

In class we discussed the case of North Carolina V John Mann. In the case John Mann is accused of wounding a slave that was rented out to him. In class we discussed both sides of the argument and how we interpret their arguments with the law. According to the state he battered Lydia, the enslaved woman, but since she was someone else's property Mann was liable for the damages. In Manns defense he claimed that he was protected under the law that a runaway slave is allowed to be disciplined.  The rights to a slave owner to beat and recapture their slaves if disobedient were somewhat spotty. In regards to the ownership of Lydia, it was technically Manns at the time. Therefore the issue becomes solely based on if Mann had the right to discipline her.  The court ruled that the authority of the owner is absolute and she was Manns property at the time. This would be a landmark case as it allowed for no slave owner to be found guilty of committing violence against them. I personally a...

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the government that is part of a 3 branch checks and balances system that prevents any branch from gaining to much power. The court comprises of nine Judges which are named by the President and affirmed by the US Senate. The Supreme Court is the final court in the long of line of courts. Judges filter through 7,000 cases every year and scrutinously choses 100-150 cases. At the point when the case is picked the Judges identify the key violation and address the illegality of it compared to written law. The Supreme Court is necessary to our government and in my opinion the most vital aspect of our government. The court when uncompromised and diverse is unbiased in every case making their decisions based on the law and ideal morals. The constitution is colorblind and its interpretation must be the same. I believe that the Supreme Court was essential in our societal change and their rulings give people a moral level in which they should live...

Today in class we learned about different events that either helped or weakened the civil rights movement in the late eighteen hundreds. These events were significant in the decades long crawl that would be best known by Jim Crow. However, a few bright advancements for African Americans happened in this time period such as increased education and congressional recognition. Specifically a man named Hiram Revels became the first African congressman. Along with becoming the first, Hiram took ex Confederate president Jefferson Davis's seat making the transfer symbolic. Along with increased political standing the first black university was founded, Howard University. This school was founded on the basis of higher black education. Another older school founded in 1837 is called the Institute for Colored Youth. This would be renamed as the Cheyney University. However for every advancement the Black race has, the most bigoted whites have to tear them down. One event was the Memphis Riot, a ...

Gone with the wind was an American classic which has brought about great controversy even when released. From the dark vivid imagery used to paint the south's destruction to the depiction of enslaved people the movie hits home for many. With such a mixed feeling crowd it was hard for MGM to exactly know what the ramifications would be for releasing the film. Now personally I believe they had every right to release the film because in some aspects it had a correct portrayal of southern life.  I do not know how it feels to be systematically oppressed so with that being said I believe that censorship in these certain circumstances would be appropriate. Gone with the Winds reinforcement of stereotypes about African-Americans is in my opinion the key cause for anger amongst their community. The deep pain slavery brought to a dignified people is made almost comical in Gone with the Wind and in certain aspects depicts a message that the enslaved people were fools. Malcolm X made a famous ...