The Civil War: It Didn't Happened as I learned in High School

Prior to this course, I had very finite knowledge about the Civil War and the causes that led to it. As an immigrant, I came into this country incognizant about much of American history and in this case the civil war. Alas, going to a predominately white middle and high school was futile in my apprehension of black history and its origins. Certainly, through various history classes I took, I was acquainted with basis of the Civil War such as the date it commenced and ended, those who were entailed in it and the elementary cause of the war. Through the research and scholarship presented about the war through this class and the videos assigned, I have a better apprehension of the numerous causes that lead to the Civil War.

I learned that of the many reasons that ignited the Civil, the four principal causes were Slavery, The Constitution, The Abolitionist Movement. Although the issue of states' rights, the existence of slavery, ineffectual leadership, and each region's perceptions of the other's intentions contributed to the war, none of these issues were a main cause of this historic event. The expansion of slavery and sectionalism were one of the primary causes of the Civil War because it created strain between the North and the South, likewise the industrial and sectional differences between the two areas also contributed to cause of the war. Another important component to what lead to the Civil War was the 3/5 compromise which stated that the population of slaves would be counted as three-fifths in total when apportioning Representatives, as well as Presidential electors and taxes. Moreover, the Abolitionist Movement also caused tension between the North and the South to escalate, Abolitionists in the North opposed the practice of slavery and condemned the lifestyle of those in the South, their dependency on the labor force and maltreatment of African slaves. Lastly, the Republican Party and the nomination of Abraham Lincoln as the 16^th president of the United States caused a rift between the states and eventually led to the succession of slave states such as South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Georgia to form what was known as the Confederate States of America. 

Love Still Lives Here: The Fight Still Continues

While scrolling through the variety of poster options to write for this blog,  I was visually attracted to the vibrant colors of this superhero’s costume. Likewise, the aesthetic and placement of the well-known quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. evoked an immediate admiration for the poster. I recognized the designer's ingenious placing "darkness cannot drive out darkness" in the black portion of the poster and their decision to make the portion that alludes love project in brighter colors.

This poster and female superhero portrays the phrase “the struggle still continues” in a sense that although there has been a considerable number of steps taken to ensure the progression of racial relations since Dr. King uttered those words on this poster, there is still more work to be done. In retrospect, America as a nation has a long way to go in regards to inclusiveness and viewing every individual irrespective of their skin color, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, as equal.

With the recent election and inauguration of President Trump, it is no secret that there has been an increase in racial tension in this country. Many African-Americans alongside other minority groups and people of color have raised concerns and disapprobation with the policies and moral views that Trump and his administration represents.

I chose to write about this poster because I gathered the quote it included was imperative given the recent frenzy and unrest of many groups of people across the nation following the election of President Trump. Of the heap of startling things that have left this post-election commotion, what is especially discouraging is the grave sense that for many young people especially black ones such as myself, the determination to dream will be destroyed because of this idea that the marginalized have been, and always will be underestimated. I reckoned it was important to remind everyone particularly during Black History Month that counteracting hate speech with hate speech does not, and will never resolve the issue at hand. It is important instead to educate people on the importance of being united in solidarity to fight with and for those who are marginalized and unable to do so themselves. One thing I can confidently say is that we - the marginalized - despite historically living in a repressive sphere have a past of survival and feat. In knowing this, I encourage those living in consternation, to dream and fight relentlessly, and to continue to promote and practice peaceful activism in all forms to a greater degree now than ever before. For the power is and always will be in the hands of the people. Lastly, to quote American political activist Yuri Kochiyama "Remember that consciousness is power, Tomorrow's world is yours to build."