Independent

Here’s an audio I recorded last night. Talking starts at minute 00:45.

note: There is a point around minute 4:40 where I misspoke, slightly, saying “slavery was ratified” but meaning to say “the abolition of slavery was ratified.” 

Self-governed.

Autonomous.

Free.

Did you know Charleston is older than America? Yes, I’m reflecting on Charleston’s 350th year on this day of America’s 244th year. Which is a good place to share this LINK TO A QUICK SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORY FACT about July 4, 1965 and a lawsuit that ensued. “Before this lawsuit SC public chose to close entirely instead of accept desegregation.”

We’ve been fighting for freedom for a long time. “Dred Scott first went to trial to sue for his freedom in 1847. After ten years of appeals and court reversals his case was brought to the Unite States Supreme Court where THE COURT DECIDED THAT ALL PEOPLE OF AFRICAN HISTORY, SLAVES AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WERE FREE, COULD NEVER BECOME CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES and therefore could not sue in federal court (because that is reserved as a right for CITIZENS). The court also ruled that federal government did not have the power to prohibit slavery in its territories.” (source)

In the present we have to be aware of the relationships between state and federal laws….state lawmakers and federal lawmakers…

When I read the story of Dred Scott’s fight for freedom I see hard work, patience, loyalty, even money offered in exchange for the freedom. I see a whole life’s fight only to die 9 months after finally being purchased and set free. PURCHASED AND SET FREE.

Now I want to reflect on the words of ISIDORE DOUGLASS SKINNER, the great, great, great, great-grandchild of Frederick Douglass.

“Somebody once said that pessimism is a tool of white oppression, and I think that’s true. I think in many ways, we are still slaves to the notion that it will never get better. But I think that there is hope. And I think it’s important that we celebrate Black joy and Black life and we remember that change is possible, change is probable, and that there’s hope.” CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL VIDEO

Skinner is 15 years old.

Here’s an audio I recorded last night. Talking starts at minute 00:45.

note: There is a point around minute 4:40 where I misspoke, slightly, saying “slavery was ratified” but meaning to say “the abolition of slavery was ratified.”