University of California v. Bakke

 The University of California v. Bakke case, determined by the Supreme Court in 1978, impacted affirmative action policies in higher education. Allan Bakke, a white applicant to the UC Davis Medical School, challenged the school's admissions process, which reserved specific seats for minority applicants. The court's decision to take down this system was based on legal arguments pointing out its flaws.

A key argument was that UC Davis' admissions process broke the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal treatment under the law and prohibits racial discrimination. By reserving seats for minority applicants regardless of qualifications, UC Davis was seen as engaging in race-based discrimination. Justice Lewis Powell's opinion highlighted that diversity, while an important goal, couldn't justify unconstitutional practices. 

Another crucial argument was that UC Davis' percentage system contradicted Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans racial discrimination in federally funded programs. By setting aside seats based on race without considering qualifications, UC Davis was seen as discriminating against other qualified candidates solely based on their race.

Justice Powell also argued that affirmative action should address past discrimination rather than create new inequalities. While recognizing historical injustices, he believed race-conscious admissions policies should be limited in scope and duration. The court's decision aimed to balance correcting past discrimination with ensuring equal treatment for everyone.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court's decision in University of California v. Bakke rested on various legal arguments pointing out flaws in UC Davis' admissions process. The ruling emphasized that affirmative action policies must be narrowly tailored, consider race as just one factor, and focus on remedying past discrimination instead of creating new inequalities. This landmark decision set important precedents for future affirmative action cases and continues influencing discussions on diversity in higher education.

Eoto Reax

After watching classmates discuss the regression of African-American rights, a few essential topics stood out to me. One was the assassination of Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. James Earl Ray admitted guilt in 1969 but later tried to withdraw his plea, claiming he was coerced. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison without a trial.

Another impactful moment was the Boston bus riots. They erupted in response to a plan to desegregate schools through busing. White residents opposed their children being bused to other neighborhoods, leading to protests, strikes, and violence. On September 5, 1974, anti-busing protesters attacked a bus carrying African-American students, exposing deep racial tensions in Boston.

In summary, Martin Luther King's assassination and the Boston busing crisis are crucial chapters in the civil rights struggle. These events highlight challenges and racial tensions during pivotal moments in achieving equality. Understanding these milestones is essential for fostering awareness, empathy, and ongoing efforts toward a more inclusive and just society in the United States.

To Sir, With Love

"To Sir, With Love" is a 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, an engineer turned teacher in an East London school. Thackeray faces challenges connecting with his diverse students, each dealing with personal issues. He earns their respect by using unconventional teaching methods and life lessons, transforming their lives. The film explores race, class, and education themes, with race being a significant focus.

Thackeray, an African-American teacher, challenges stereotypes, facing skepticism and resistance due to his race. Overcoming prejudices, he builds connections through dedication and genuine concern. The film highlights his ability to break racial barriers, emphasizing humanity, understanding, and empathy. "To Sir, with Love" addresses the racial challenges of the 1960s, offering a hopeful narrative of human connection and shared experiences bridging divides.

In summary, the film portrays the negative impact of prejudice and advocates for an open mind, emphasizing that differences in appearance shouldn't influence our perception of others.

The Abolition Movement

 Origins of the Abolition Movement

The Abolition Movement began in the late 18th century, driven by moral and religious opposition to slavery. Quakers, known for their commitment to social justice, were among the first abolitionists. They believed in the equality of all individuals and opposed the ownership of humans as property. The American Revolution further fueled discussions about the contradiction of slavery in a nation striving for freedom.

Prominent Abolitionists

The Abolition Movement had dedicated advocates who dedicated their lives to the cause. Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved person turned powerful orator and writer, shared firsthand accounts of slavery's brutality through his autobiography.

Sojourner Truth, a formerly enslaved person and speaker, championed abolition and women's rights. Her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the 1851 Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, remains iconic.

Harriet Tubman, often called the "Moses of her people," risked her life repeatedly to lead enslaved individuals to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Methods and Strategies

Abolitionists used various methods to advance their cause. They believed in the power of the written word, publishing newspapers, pamphlets, and literature to educate the public about slavery's horrors. William Lloyd Garrison founded the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, which published "The Liberator," a prominent abolitionist newspaper.

Public lectures and speeches spread the message. Abolitionists traveled the country, speaking against slavery and advocating for immediate emancipation.

Civil disobedience was another tactic. Some openly defied the Fugitive Slave Act, which required returning escaped enslaved people to their owners. The Underground Railroad helped enslaved individuals flee to freedom in the North or Canada.

Challenges and Opposition

The Abolition Movement faced strong opposition. Pro-slavery advocates defended their interests, arguing slavery was essential to the economy and social order. Not all anti-slavery advocates supported abolitionists; some favored gradual emancipation or colonization.

Abolitionists also faced violence. Mobs attacked their meetings and destroyed printing presses. In 1837, Elijah Lovejoy, an abolitionist newspaper editor, was murdered by a pro-slavery mob.

Legacy of the Abolition Movement

The Abolition Movement laid the foundation for the broader struggle for civil rights and racial justice in the United States. The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was pivotal in ending slavery. President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declared enslaved people in Confederate-held areas free.

The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery nationwide. The Abolition Movement's impact endures, inspiring contemporary social justice and equality movements. It serves as a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring quest for freedom and human rights.

Sources:

1. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/abolitionist-movement

2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/abolitionism-European-and-American-social-movement

Supreme court

 What did you learn about the Supreme Court that you didn't already know?

The video highlights that the Supreme Court is a powerful institution that relies on the public's faith in its independence and impartiality. It also highlights the Court's role in interpreting the Constitution, safeguarding liberty, preserving the union, and upholding the rule of law. Additionally, it mentions that the Court's composition can change significantly with each new justice, which can influence its decisions.

What is the most important takeaway point about the Supreme Court?

The most critical takeaway is that the Supreme Court plays a key role in American democracy. It interprets the Constitution, safeguards individual liberties, and ensures the rule of law. The Court's decisions have far-reaching consequences for the nation, and its independence from political pressures is vital for its effectiveness.

What was the most surprising thing you learned?

The most surprising aspect could be the detailed insight into how the Court operates, from the nomination and confirmation of justices to the inner workings of decision-making. It might be surprising to some that justices spend a significant amount of time discussing and debating cases and that writing opinions can take a considerable amount of time, often with multiple opinions if there are differing viewpoints.

How did the video change the way you think about the Supreme Court?

The video likely supported the idea that the Supreme Court is essential to American democracy. It highlights the importance of trust and public faith in the Court's decisions. Additionally, it might have provided a deeper understanding of the Court's complex decision-making process and the challenges justices face when grappling with important legal issues.

The video offers valuable insights into the U.S. Supreme Court, its significance, and its operations. It underscores the importance of the Court's independence, the weight of its decisions, and its role in maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights in the United States.

Town Hall

    Hello, my name is John C. Breckinridge. I was born in Lexington, Kentucky. I attended Transylvania University and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). I entered politics and became a Kentucky State House of Representatives member when I was 19 in the 1840s.

    In 1856, When I was 36, I was selected
as the vice-presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, running alongside presidential candidate James Buchanan. We won the election. I campaigned on a pro-slavery platform, advocating for the rights of slaveholders and the expansion of slavery into the western territories. As the Vice President of the United States under President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861, I was in a position of power and influence.

    I supported the administration's stance on preserving the Union by avoiding actions on the issue of slavery. This approach favored slave owners who sought to protect and expand their rights to own and use enslaved people. After Lincoln's election, several Southern states Left the Union.

    At the time, I was a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, supported the Confederate cause, and was expelled from the Senate in December 1860. In the presidential election of 1860, the Democratic Party was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. I was nominated as the candidate of the Southern faction of the party, while Stephen A. Douglas represented the Northern faction. During the Civil War, I served in the Confederate military and held various roles, including Secretary of War for the Confederate States and later as a Confederate general. 

    I served in that capacity until the war ended in April. After fleeing the country for fear of being imprisoned for treason, I returned to the United States in 1869 after being granted a pardon by President Andrew Johnson. I returned to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1869, where I resumed practicing law.  

Sources:

1. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "John C. Breckinridge". Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Sep. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-C-Breckinridge. Accessed 5 October 2023.

2. https://www.nps.gov/mono/learn/historyculture/general-breckinridge.htm

Bible Challenge Post: Worked With Lindsay Paris

 According to the Bible, slavery can be seen as good and bad. Looking over the details of the Bible will prove these ideas from passages. It can be said that slavery went with seeing slavery as being a good thing in many ways. Christians would waive the Bible over their slave's head to show that slavery was justified by the Bible. The Bible mentions how doing so would be a welcomed thing and not something that is wrong. Another thing according to the Bible that showed slavery as good is in Exodus 21:26. This passage outlines the regulation for allowing people to become a slave to pay off debts but also stipulates that the person should be released after six years of service with the debts forgiven, but even though it says that he/she should be released after six years that wasn't always the case. One last thing to mention is In Timothy 6:1-2 the passage encourages slaves to honor their masters and serve them especially if their masters are Christian believers. This shows how the Bible wants slaves to cooperate with their fellow Master’s beliefs. While this is all true the Bible also says slavery is bad within the world. The Bible contains the Golden Rule which is found in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31 it emphasizes Treating others like you would want to be treated. In this matter, it shows how the Bible would be against slavery. If you are going to treat others the way you want to be treated then you are not going to treat them as lee of you in Luke 6:31 this can be seen. Another thing the Bible states is Exodus 21:26 and 27 where this part of the Bible provides guidelines for the treatment of surface enslaves to the point that if a master hurts a slave the slave must be set free for compensation for the injury. If there were ever any harsh treatment, then there would not be acceptance. Overall, the Bible makes points for both sides and it is important to note while people might not agree with it there is something to learn from it.