The Missouri Compromise

 

    The Missouri Compromise was legislation passed by the US congress allowing Missouri to be admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state. In the beginning, Missouri first applied for statehood in 1817 but took 2 years for congress to consider authorizing it as a state. By 1820 Missouri was finally able to be admitted as the 24th state, later causing conflicts as to whether it be free or a slave state. Missouri being admitted as a slave state gave the south a huge advantage because in the beginning the north and south were even with slave/free states.                               

    Maine gets admitted as a free state giving the North the upper hand with more states being free. While Missouri is admitted into statehood but whether free or slave state conflicted many. The south would need Misso   uri to be admitted a slave state which it did. After this slavery was to be extinguished from. all new states in the Louisiana Purchase north of the southern boundary of Missouri.                                                               

       People on both sides of the controversy saw the compromise as deeply flawed and as something that would still cause many problems. Democracy and self-determination could clearly be mobilized to prolong such an injust institution that contradicted a fundamental American commitment to a time of equality. The Missouri crisis probed an enourmous problematic area of American politics that would evidently explode in a civil war. 

    

       As Thomas Jefferson once said and observed about the Missouri crisis, "This momentous question, like a fire-bell in the night, awakened and filled me with terror." That quote perfectly described how people especially Thomas Jefferson felt having to deal with all of this chaos and arguing. This was too much for some people to handle. It was a time of disaster and it was a time of fighting for everyone.

https://www.ushistory.org/us/23c.asp

https://www.britannica.com/event/Missouri-Compromise

https://www.history.com/topics/abolitionist-movement/missouri-compromise

Coded bias

    Coded bias is claimed to not recognized dark-skinned faces as accurate as it should have. Many people are against this and in my opinion, it shouldn't have that much power in the government since its not a fully developed technology.

    The way that it should be, science is supposed to be an unbiased opinion. But is it really? In the thought-provoking documentary “Coded Bias,” director Shalini Kantayya questions the neutrality of technology, arguing that computers have a built-in bias that reflects the wrong assumptions of the people (who are usually men) who program them. Her emphasis is on the impact that such bias has on marginalized communities via corporate business and law enforcement.

     The film was based upon or sparked from the work of a Ph.D. student Joy Buolamwini, who started to perform experiments on the AI technology later receiving difficulty scanning her face. This showed this technology has trouble scanning women rather than men. These problems triggered her to take a course of action and serve as both a wake-up call and a call to action.

    Once Joy creates a gender bias, she continues to investigate the same programs for evidence of race-based bias as well. She proclaims that the problem with the A.I. technology can be found in the lazy or egocentric thinking of the coders themselves. The homogenous culture of Silicon Valley is a dead giveaway: The software under scrutiny is designed almost only by men, who don’t necessarily take other identities into consideration when setting the basic parameters of their programs. Are the creators aware of the prejudice within their tech? Do they even care? These are questions we need to ask ourselves and others when looking into this technology because it is everywhere. It's in our streets its in our hands and its everywhere in our world. Questions like those asked above need to be answered before they are let into our lives on a daily basis sometimes without our consent or knowledge.

https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/coded-bias-review-1203502855/https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/coded-bias-review-1203502855/

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/02/08/770174171/when-bias-is-coded-into-our-technology

  

Research of Abolitionist David Walker

David Walker's goal was nothing short of revolutionary. He would gather and convince slaves of the South into rebelling against their master. His guide would-be his own pamphlet, David Walker's Appeal, a document that has been described as the most notorious document in America. David was the son of a slave father and a free black mother so he experienced both sides, David was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1797. In accordance with existing laws, since his mom was a free black citizen, David Walker was also free. This freedom, however, did not shield him from witnessing firsthand the degradations and injustices of slavery. He witnessed and unbearable amount of misery in his youth, including one disturbing episode of a son who was forced to whip his mother until she died. Walker went about his life traveled throughout the country, eventually settling in Boston. But even in that free northern city, with its prevalent discrimination, life was less than ideal for its black residents especially Walker. Still, Walker apparently fared well, setting up a used clothing store during the 1820s.  In Boston, Walker began to associate with prominent black activists. He joined institutions that denounced slavery in the South and discrimination in the North. He became involved with the nation's first African American newspaper, the Freedom's Journal out of New York City, to which he frequently contributed. By the end of 1828, he had become Boston's leading spokesman against slavery.  In September of 1829, he published his Appeal. To reach his primary audience -- the enslaved men and women of the South -- Walker relied on sailors and ship's officers sympathetic to the cause who could transfer the pamphlet to southern ports. Walker even employed his used clothing business which, being located close to the waterfront, served sailors who bought clothing for upcoming voyages. He sewed copies of his pamphlet into the lining of sailors' clothing. Once the pamphlets reached the South, they could be distributed throughout the region. Walker also sought the aid of various contacts in the South who were also sympathetic to the cause. He thought of every way possible to get his messaged throughout the country. This shows the dedication and value this message meant to him and how badly he wanted it to change. Walker's actions changed the tone and aims of the abolition movement. His message started to reach towns and states all over eventually making him a very relevant and well driven Abolitionist. Most abolitionists had supported the gradual phasing out of slavery, but Walker declared that the institution was a scourge that required immediate elimination. And instead of supporting the return of freed slaves to Africa, he believed that every African American had the right to be a full and equal citizen of the United States. His fiercely argued views would affect and inspire others for years to come. https://www.biography.com/writer/david-walker https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2930.html

 

Anti slavery: David Walker Speech

     I think everything going on with our country is wrong. The idea of another human owning another human to be used for there personal chores is absurd. If the roles were reversed between northern and southeners the feelings on this matter would be absolutely the same. I urge you (African Americans) to fight for your freedom. Do not let another human define who you are. Do not let another human force you to do something you do not want to do while treating you like a piece of garbage in the process. 

The book that I have written should give you the motivation to flee from your masters. What I hope for is that my Appeal will bring attention to the abuses and inequities of slavery and the responsibility of individuals to act according to religious and political principles. I own a clothing store from which I buy and sell clothes I receive from sailers. I use the money I make to help aid runaway slaves get on their feet. I am passionate that this hate and disgusting treatment towards these people can be stopped and I will do whatever in my power to help. Even if I have to die in the process I will die knowing I sacrificed my life for the greater good of our country. Slavery is a bad thing and there is no argument that can say that it isn't. 

    I ask you to join me and help spread my message across each town, show the world the pain and suffering that is going on, put yourself into the shoes of these hurt individuals. Only then will you see the true meaning of my message and from there I hope you start to feel sympathetic. Not only should my book instill pride in these slaves to be free of there masters but also to speak out against colonization, a popular movement that sought to move free blacks to a colony in Africa which would be insanely cruel. If they are free they deserve to be free and treated just like any other citizen in the USA.

  https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2930.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Walker_(abolitionist)

Religion Team challenge

For many years slavery was the dividing factor of the United S tates acting as a divider between many people. For 70 years America was stuck in a civil war between those who are pro-slavery, and those against it. Many people pointed to religious works that would either support or refute slavery. The Bible was a major piece of work many Christians used to argue their points. Today the Bible will be shown in the ways it was against slavery or for slavery.

The Bible has been known to condemn slavery today for many obvious, and also was against it hundreds to thousands of years in the past. Throughout the bible, there are many examples and quotes that prove slavery should be condemned. One of the most iconic quotes against slavery comes from the chapter of Exodus 21:16. The reading states, “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” According to this quote in the bible, it is clear that Christianity was against slavery. The reading states how if any individual is owning another man or human, they should be put to death. Another portion of the Bible in Galatians 3:28 proves that slavery should be condemned. The reading states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. This statement explains how everybody is the same and equal, whether you are a slave or not. Everyone in Christianity is a son of Christ and equal. Finally, one of the very important religious leaders in Christianity, Paul, makes it very clear he is against owning another person. Paul states, “Perhaps the reason [Onesimus] was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.” 

With all this clear evidence of people being anti-slavery in the Bible, you may ask yourself where was there any instances of pro-slavery. However, there are many instances where slavery is supported by those who followed Christianity and the Bible. These may be quotes or certain situations that occurred in the past, leading to a division in America and even the world. 

In my opinion, slaveholders would have defined themselves as Christian they had two favorites texts, one from the beginning of the Old Testament and the other from the end of the New Testament. There were so many questions asked, What was so terrible about seeing Noah drunk? Why curse Canaan rather than Ham? How long was the servitude to last? Surely Ham would have been the same color as his brothers? These questions eventually led and became the foundational text for those who wanted to justify slavery on Biblical grounds. In its boiled down, popular version, known as “The Curse of Ham,” Canaan was dropped from the story, Ham was made black, and his descendants were made Africans. The other favorite came from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, VI, 5-7: “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” (Paul repeated himself, almost word for word, in the third chapter of his Epistle to the Colossians.)

The rest of the Old Testament was often mined by pro-slavery polemicists for examples proving that slavery was common among the Israelites. The New Testament was largely ignored, except in the negative sense of pointing out that nowhere did Jesus condemn slavery, although the story of Philemon, the runaway who St. Paul returned to his master, was often quoted. It was also generally accepted that the Latin word servus, usually translated as servant, really meant slave.

The opinions on slavery were divided into 2 separate groups. Those who were against it and those who agreed with it. Both have amazing arguments and reasons for why each was right therefore there isn't a correct answer. The only option on how to solve the answer of whether it was the right or wrong way to go to religion. In the end, it was reasoned to believe slavery is not a good thing and proslavery wasnt the correct choice.

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/amabrel.htm

Opinions from a College student

 The USA is on a never-ending struggle to make decisions all because of the divided political views within the entire country. Still always conflicted no matter what just as it was 200 years ago when the Constitution was formed. Throughout this time though America has spread around the world influencing their beliefs from country to country.

The Supreme Courts' job is to keep the promise of equal justice under law. Although the judges in the Supreme Court are highly trained and held to such a high standard, they are still human beings at the end of the day dealing with human dilemmas all the time who are subjected to make mistakes. Not every decision can be perfect but 9 times out of 10 they try to make sure it is. In all of history, there have been almost over 100 Supreme Court justices many of which have been there for 16 years and some twice as long. This shows how they are all more than equipped to make tough decisions with the experience they have with the very very little wiggle room of error. 

In my opinion, I feel that most people do not know how the Supreme Court truly works...

On average The Supreme Court obtains around 10,000 petitions a year and using the "Rule of Four" the Justices decide whether they will take the case or not. If half or four out of nine of the Justices feel the case has value they will subject a writ of certiorari. This is a very powerful message sent from the high court to the lower court demanding records of the case for them to review. For example, a case that the judges would feel truly has value would be a case involving the whole country or one that would have a huge impact. These judges are meant to take huge nation cases not small matter lower court ones. The Justices then do what is necessary for finding whether or not the law was broken. 

I feel before judging, making decisions, or assuming things about our nation/political leaders people should have a better understanding of how the Supreme Court works. Making sure they understand how hard it is and the amount of weight these justices hold on their shoulders especially when their chance of impeachment is extremely high due to the insanely amount of chances there are to mess up in the slightest way. Personally, I could never do what they do, they're incredible people and they chose to do this. It takes a lot of guts to be known for making certain nation-changing decisions that can either help or hurt our country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWRoXYRsaeo