Coffee Talk
Amendments for the people
13th Amendment
An Amendment to the United States Constitution changes the lives of citizens and how they live in the country. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery everywhere in the United States. All persons who were slaves or involuntary servants are released to be in charge of themselves and be independent. All former slaves were allowed to travel freely, work for pay and reunite with their families. There will be citizens who will be for and against the new 13th Amendment. Nonethesless, the law stands and the former slaves are free to plan their own lives.
The Abolitionist says...
I interviewed Abigail Hope, an avid abolitionist for several years, for her opinion of the passing of the 13 Amendment. She said, "I am so glad that Congress passed this law. Now all citizens can decide their future and have the chance to pursue happiness on their own terms." Slavery was a terrible system of free labor and broke up many families. I do not believe that this was the way we should treat other people. "
I asked Abigail what are her plans now that she will no longer protest against slavery. She stated that she would be working with the Freedman's Bureau to help former slaves to find their families in the northern states.
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment has declared that African American citizens living in the United States and those born in the United States to be deemed full citizens. Will they be able exercise all the rights of every full citizen? Not from what I have read and heard from the Elite Southern citizen groups. They are drafting new local laws called the Black Codes and the Jim Crow laws that will limit the black citizens rights in their communities such as voting, owning land, use of public places and transportation and schools. Will the black citizens get to live as full citizens or not? Continue to read more details in the upcoming days.
According to Ruth, a former slave...
Last Sunday, I noticed a black woman walking quickly across the street. When I caught up with her, I asked her about her church. She stated that the church was just up ahead, As we walked, I told her that I was a reporter from a newspaper located in Philadelphia. I wanted to ask her questions about the new citizenship law. She told me, "All I know is that we are supposed to treated like regular citizens of these here United States. Some people treat me nice and others treat me like I was a slave still. I know better than to say anything about unkind words. But one day, if the Lord is willing, we will be treated the same as everyone else."
I asked her, "What is the one thing she would do if equal treatment was true?"
She said, "Go to vote for someone who wants good things for everyone"
I thanked her for her time and hoped that things would change soon too.