Today I was reminded that the anti-slavery movement in the United States took a long time to succeed. Of course, today some would say there has never been success. As is true with so many emotionally tinged issues: use your brains. Blanket statements of success or failure are easy for activists/politicians who wish to self-promote or simply stir the pot. It may be difficult to understand how, in a land founded on liberty, the issue of slavery did so much damage. But, it did. And, for too long. Throughout the 19th cenruty, there were vehement arguements, riots and compromises about enslavement. In the end, liberty did prevail.
The reminder for Papa came from a notice that a newspaper made abolition an early editiorial position in 1833. Even back then the usual “immediate change” versus “gradual transition” undoubtedly existed. Perhaps even within the editorial room of news outlets. Think Edmund Burke vs. Thomas Paine when you get around to reading works from those two. Instant vs. incremental. At any rate, the forces of good and evil are often at work. My study of history has focused on whether and how accomplishments since America’s founding were made. It is hard to think of any rougher internal issue for the country than slavery. BTW: Decent movies on the subject include “Amazing Grace” (England’s ceasing its slave trade); Amistad (America’s slave trade); and “Roots” (Humanity and hope before, during and after the horrors of bondage).
So far there is sigificant evidence of a continued push for the good. At times, it may not seem that progress is being made; especially since it is so easy for cynics to flood the paths to our brains with silly think. (Remember….it is okay to “be” silly vs. “do” silly”.) A ton of Americans argued and proded for freedom before the Civil War. Many then died in our country’s deadliest war. It took courage and gumption on the part of the many to succeed. The 1800’s is an interesting period of Ameican history to study.
From my perspective America has always moved forward. FORWARD FORWARD; That would make a great state motto. I wonder what state would be most likely to qualify for the motto FORWARD? I wonder.