Town Hall Meeting Reaction

While listening in to the Town Hall Meeting, I was able to learn more about several abolitionist leaders I had already known, along with those I haven't heard of. In addition, it was great to be so engaged and focused in on the meeting as each of my fellow classmates had great preparation and research for their presentations, which I think made the Meeting overall a big success!

The first presentation we heard about was Richard Allen. While I had not known much about him prior to this day, I left the room with greater knowledge and a better understanding of where he stood as an abolitionist advocate. Through listening to my fellow peer, I learned that Richard Allen was a man born into slavery and eventually worked for his slaveowner for his own freedom. Once he purchased his out, Allen helped in founding the Free African Society, which was very similar to the famous Underground Railroad that is popularly known today. 

Two figures that I had known prior to this meeting, but walked out knowing much more was Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman. There is no true knowledge of the actual birthday of Douglas because he was a slave; he wasn't just a typical slave though, Douglas was a city slave. Being a city slave, Douglas was treated a little bit differently than the traditional farm slaves were; he was often clothed and housed very well. On top of that, he even was able to encounter education at an early age, which allowed him to learn the alphabet which he put into use in everyday life such as street signs. What I learned from all this, is that this beginning of his life, and this education, is what became his weapon to fight against slavery and claw his way to freedom. 

Harriet Tubman, like everyone knows, was the conductor of the Underground Railroad. A big part of this was her free realm to explore the geographical features of the farm she was working on. Harriet was able to acquire knowledge of the land which finally led to her success in setting up these pitstops for escaped slaves seeking independence. Working 19 trips, freeing approximately 300 slaves, her nickname became "Moses." What was new to me about Harriet was her work for the U.S. army. After finding her way to freedom, she worked as a spy, giving inside details of war to the U.S. army. 

I could go on and on about what I was able to learn from participating in this Town Hall Meeting. I not only was informed about knowledge I had already known, but completely new things that might not come up on a typical google search. By completing my own script and hearing out my classmates, I know that we all did a tremendous amount of research and put lots of time into perfecting our presentation, which is what I think led to the success and what allowed me to learn so much information about some important abolitionists in the past time. 

Town Hall Meeting

My name is Abby Kelley Foster. While you may not hear my name come up with some other prominent figures like William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglas, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, I have spent more than twenty years traveling the country as a crusader for social justice and equality. I served as secretary of the Female Anti-Slavery Society, and then was later named the first delegate to the Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women. In addition, I founded the Millbury Anti-Slavery Society and became the Chief fundraiser by lecturing for the American Anti-Slavery Society, which I later developed into a general agent for. On top of this, I was among the organizers that founded the New England Woman Suffrage Association, which was the first regional association advocating women suffrage. 

I followed the motto, "Go where least wanted, for there you are most needed." I was born in 1811 and grew up in Massachusetts, raised by a family full of Quakers. I grew up on a family farm and began my education in a single-room schoolhouse; I was brought up in a time where women were demanded to be silent, submissive, and obedient. Just like many others at the time, I supported the plan of the American Colonization Society, which basically supported the move of African Americans to Africa. 

But, after school, I moved from Worcester to Lynn, still in Massachusetts, and began teaching, which is where I heard a lecture by William Lloyd Garrison; his words changed my mind and transformed my platform and focus to the abolition of slavery. The Liberator was the paper that influenced me to join the Female Anti-Slavery Society, where I was soon promoted to secretary. Just shortly after I was named a delegate to the first Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women. 

About a year later, I went on to make my first public speech against slavery. With great response from this, I quit my role as a teacher and went on to create the Millbury Anti-Slavery Society. I also began larger lectures for the American Anti-Slavery Society, and presented one of my most famous speeches, "Bloody feet, sisters, have worn smooth the path by which you come hither," which ultimately challenged women to demand the responsibilities as well as privileges of equality. 

Explicitly mentioned in my book, Ahead of Her Time: Abby Kelley and the Politics of Antislavery, I didn't just use my time and words to speak out upon slavery, but I did so in a way that all women could be represented. By speaking, I found it was my duty to defend us women, sending a message that it isn't just men who have their thoughts about slavery, but it is every individual in this country. 

As Chief Fundraiser for the American Anti-Slavery Society, I worked for the ratification of both the 14th and 15th Amendments. After slavery had been fully abolished, I didn't quite stop just yet. I switched my focus from abolition of slavery to women's rights. Just like I had previously done before, I held meetings and lectures, calling for any 'severe langue' in any resolutions that were adopted. I was yet again among the organizers who founded the New England Woman Suffrage Association, which was the first regional association advocating for woman suffrage. This association helped lay down the groundwork for the 19th Amendment; the amendment that finally gave women the right to vote.

I advocate for "come-outerism," the belief that abolitionists must leave churches that did not fully condemn slavery. I am not afraid to speak my mind to address the issues that the country has continued to face. I disowned, yes, I cut off the Society of Friends because the New England Meeting violated its own principles on the question of slavery. My attitude towards slavery has not changed since the day I heard my first lecture, read my first newspaper, and I will continue to fight and stand up for all women, all individuals, despite their race. 

Bible Team Challenge

 

During the Antebellum Period, Southern culture and slave culture were one and the same, but Southern culture was highly religious. While it is not entirely clear whether or not the Bible condemns or condones slavery, there are several biblical parts that show both arguments in favor of slavery and arguments against slavery, specifically based on the idea of religion.    

In the ancient world, and when the Bible was first written, slavery was a universal phenomenon. Slavery became part of the culture, and people began accepting it as a fact of life; they didn't know of anything different. In the first ten commandments, slavery is mentioned twice, in the fourth and tenth commandments. Taken from the source, Biblical Studies, the curse of Noah was seen as the divine initiation of slavery, meaning the beginning. Noah cursed his son by saying, "a slave of slaves shall you be to your brothers." This ultimately proved God himself initiated slavery. Noah had been regarded as someone who, "spoke under the impulse and dictation of heaven. His words were the words of God himself, and by them was slavery ordained."

    

Additionally, parts of the Hebrew Bible along with the New Testament also endorse the idea of slavery. Described in Bible Odyssey, Moses told the Israelites on the way to the Promised Land how they should acquire and keep slaves (Lev 25:44-46), and his successor, Joshua, responded with, "some of you shall always be slaves" (Josh 9:23). And, identified in the New Testament, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling" (Eph 6:5-6), agrees with the idea of slavery and continues to add to the fact that in these ancient times, slavery was normal, and it was justified under the Bible, which most religious people at the time studied daily. 

Many religions have condemned slavery, including Christianity, which speaks out against slavery in many ways. Charles Elliot, in his book “The Bible in Slavery,” highlights that the teachings of Christ and his apostles clearly denounces slavery as a serious sin. We also get to see that the writings of Paul and Peter specifically tell slave masters and slaves in ways that oppose the system. This shows that the Bible does not support the practice. Many passages in the bible speak against slavery, and puts a lot of emphasis on its wrongs. 

It is constantly highlighted that the key commandments in the Bible, such as the fifth, seventh, and eighth, indirectly condemn slavery. These commandments do so by condemning actions like stealing and mistreating others. These commandments emphasize respect for human life and dignity. It also puts a lot of emphasis on the values that come with the idea of owning another person. By highlighting the immoral nature of enslaving others, these religious teachings argue that all people deserve freedom and respect. This view is not just seen in Christianity but is seen in many other religions, showing a common belief that slavery is fundamentally wrong and that every person has the right to be treated with dignity.

So whether or not you were religious during this time period, there is evidence that both supports and argues against the idea of slavery. It is unclear on if we can say the Bible was favored in one way or another due to the evidence we have gathered, but since there are certain writings indicating each side, it shows how even the most religious people of the time had some interaction with the idea of slavery. While now we would condemn the findings in the Bible of slavery, it was not one of the worries or main problems of the time it was written, why is why we see both sides of the spectrum. 

    

Supreme Court

By watching this video about the Supreme Court, I was able to learn why the Supreme Court is considered the most powerful judicial body on planet Earth. 

It is comprised of 9 justices. There have only been roughly 100 justices since the establishment of the Supreme Court, and they serve an average of 16 years each. Supreme Court justices also serve life terms, meaning they can not only serve for a specific number of years unlike the Executive Branch. 

I was intrigued to learn that not only was Dred Scott was a landmark case, but that the case itself weakened the powers of Congress for years, as it resulted in the idea that Congress could not ban slavery. The Civil War finally brought an end to slavery and also resulted in the establishment of the 14th Amendment. Acting like a 2nd Bill of Rights, the 14th Amendment states that the states could not deny equal protection for any American citizen. 

In total, the United States Supreme Court receives roughly 100 cases per week, totaling out to about 7,000 cases per year. 

No matter the person, whether a convicted felon or the President of the United States, each person gets the same individual consideration when their case is looked upon by the court. 

Also something important from the Supreme Court video is that all 9 justices hear all cases in public, while each side has 30 minutes to argue their point and answer any and all of the justices thoughts and questions. Within a few days following the hearing, the 9 justices meet in a conference to decide the outcome of the case. Prior to each conference, they all shake hands. Once a decision has been made, one justice is required to write an opinion for the reasoning of their decision. 

This opinion essay is usually drafted up and submitted about 4 weeks later. From here, many revisions and adjustments are made, which can go on for several months. Decisions on all cases are they publicly released by the end of the term in late June. 

By learning all the small intricate details about the Supreme Court I feel like I am finally able to understand how each landmark case is thoroughly talked about and furthermore the amount of time it takes for a conclusion to occur. The process now seems much more difficult and knowing that we as Americans put all our trust into these 9 justices to decide the right thing is what makes it so extraordinary. 

The power of the court is trust, trust earned by the American people.