VOTING RIGHTS FOR BLACKS IN AMERICA CAME WITH A PRICE

Slavery for all purposes intended has become nothing more than a stale metaphor in my repertoire which; to this very day, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The fact that I refuse to allow it to continue to have control over my life is a testament in and of itself.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my moments when the urge to blame the White man for my short-comings twisted my tongue in knots. I strongly believe; all way down to the core of my being, that the institution of slavery was one of this countries greatest failed policy. But at the end of the day I have to come face to face with myself in the mirror. I’ve come to believe that,  “The stress of indulgence mends the fabric for change”.

This is the one and only Maestro, reporting to you from the comforts of my own space. All month I will be dropping some facts about what African-American’s have been forced to endure and overcome since his unexpected trip to this country. Today’s topic is “Voting Rights For Blacks In America Came With A Price”.  The history of African American’s can take us on many journeys but let us focus on what lead up to President Obama making history in America.  Many of us speculate about when a Black man actually was given the right to vote.  Some may think it came about  in the mid 1900’s. You couldn’t be more wrong.  Black Americans got the right to vote when the Republicans passed the 15th Amendment. It was ratified on February 3, 1870. Many uninformed people think the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was filibustered by the Democrats, gave blacks the right to vote. It didn’t. It merely enforces already existing rights in a handful of southern states. Let the truth be told, the Civil rights act of 1964 did not grant the vote to African-Americans. I do believe that what did grant the vote was President Johnson’s Voting Rights act of 1965. This happened after marchers protesting against segregation and to be granted the right to vote were violently attacked by white segregationists who were trying to stop the protest. The marchers were planning to go from Selma to Montgomery. They later succeeded at walking to Montgomery, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “address at the conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March” on March 25th, 1965.

Amendment XV to the U.S. Constitution –
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Regardless what laws had passed, most African-American’s were not allowed to vote in the South. White people in power used despicable practices to hinder the Black man from exercising his right to vote. These were some of the practices used by the White man to keep the Black man from voting:

     Violence:  Blacks who attempted to vote were beaten and their families threatened. Their homes were burnt down to the ground and if they were employed by a White man; which most of them were, they would lose their jobs.

     Literary Test:  Despite the fact most African American can read and right, black men back in the day were not as fortunate to have an education. Therefore, Whites would use that against them.

     Property Test:  If you didn’t own property you couldn’t. It was simple as that!

Although black women had played an important role in the scheme of things, they seldom received credit for the role they played in the movement. The 1963 March on Washington was one of the key events in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech resonated throughout the heart and consciousness of every man who heard it. Thanks to the Organizations and Black leaders who participated in marches, boycotts, and spreading the word about equality.

I’m often asked, “if you don’t like it here why don’t you go back to your own country.” Well it’s about 500 years too late for that bright idea.” The chain of events which have led me to my breaking point cannot be mended simply by applying oil when it squeaks.  I have my own theories about voting and the politics in America but today this isn’t about me. As a race of people we are misunderstood, underestimated and constantly under the threat of not being good enough.  We owe it to ourselves to better our position and not settle for the government’s subsidy programs and handouts. We have to take ownership for our state of being and be committed to do something about it.

Blacks have managed to overcome the oppressive rule of the White man in this country and despite the attempts to eradicate us have persevered. The Black man has contributed as much as any other emigrant to this country’s prosperity and has earned his right to vote.

Written by Maestro

A LITTLE KNOW FACT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

First African American To Perform Open Heart Surgery

Daniel Hale Williams was born on January 18, 1856, as a boy Williams learned early on the struggles a black man faced here in America. After his father died Williams was sent to Baltimore, Maryland with family friends where he later became a shoe makers apprentice, but he knew that wasn’t his calling. After searching to find himself, he followed in his fathers footsteps and took up barbering. Finally after becoming an apprentice with Dr. Henry Palmer; a well respected surgeon in the field, who assisted him in his education. And ultimately helped Williams complete his training at Chicago’s Medical College.

During the 1800’s Williams was faced with discrimination  and racism.  He knew in order for him and people like him to pursue their dreams as a doctor in America something had to be done. So he opened the first inner racial hospital on the south side of Chicago and taught anatomy.  In 1893 Daniel Hale Williams was forced to assist a Black man by the name of James Cornish, who suffered from a stab wound to his chest. He completed the procedure without the benefit of a blood transfusion or modern surgical procedures Williams saturated the man’s wound and thus became the first African American to perform an open heart surgery.

February is dedicated  as Black History Month. The fact that February is the shortest month of the year is just another reason for us to continue in the fight and make every month Black History Month. Because my mind is the pendulum that stands between the passions of my dreams and facts and any time I’m awake this duality of consciousness seems to always bring me back.

Article written by Maestro

Dedicated  to Black History Month

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