LAD: Blog #18 Dred Scott vs. Sanford

In the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case Chief Justice Roger B Taney sided with Sanford. Taney stated that the court concluded that because Scott was a slave whose parents had been born in another country, he cannot be recognized as a citizen and therefore cannot legally receive any American liberties as written in the Constitution. He went on to add that he believed that Scott should be recognized as a lesser person, or a piece of property. As a result, Scott can neither receive protection through the American Constitution nor receive the liberties of a common white man, confirming the fact that Scott has no right to fight for his rights in the judicial system. This court decision contradicts the Missouri Compromise because Scott had lived in slave free Illinois, but he can still be recognized as property. As a result of this decision Scott once again became a slave and the precedent Taney further put the north and the south against each other, adding to the tension and ultimately leading to the Civil War.

LAD: Blog #17 Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech

In her speech, Truth discusses her problems not only with the unequal treatment of blacks, but of women in America as well.  Sojourner states that the way woman are supposed to be treated is as a lady, being helped over puddles and into carriages. Known as a hard worker all her life, she believes that she deserves respect as any man. Battling slavery, the grief of losing her children, working as hard as she ever could so why is she not treated as any white woman would be treated like or respected as much as any man. She believes that respect should not be based on intelligence and that without woman there would be no christ. She says that women are strong enough to make decesions, changes and if the woman is black, it does not make a difference.

LAD: Blog #16 Frederick Douglass' "5th of July"

Frederick Douglass gave a speech in Rochester discussing the imporatance and meaning behind Independence day. Questioning the true freedom and liberty that is brought to citizens because of this day. Stating that black americans do not get to experience the same joy and freedom that white americans do on Independence day. Further adding that it merely mocks blacks of their lack of rights. Douglass then denounces slavery in the name of humanity, the Bible, and Constitution as the greatest sin in all America. He then says  "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just." Closing that the Fourth of July to a slave is injust and that this celebration of nationalism is a cover to hide the despictable crimes of the country. However, Douglas hopes that America will one day outlaw slavery because of its democratic principles.