Word Wise
Discussion Quote | Positive Behavior ConversationsLiberty's Kids |
FreedomElizabeth Freeman worked for the Sedgwick family until 1808. When she died in 1829, she was buried in the Sedgwick family plot in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. She lived to be around 85 years. The text of her tombstone is here:
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ELIZABETH FREEMAN, also known by the name of MUMBET died Dec. 28th 1829. Her supposed age was 85 Years. She was born a slave and remained a slave for nearly thirty years; She could neither read nor write, yet in her own sphere she had no superior or equal. She neither wasted time nor property. She never violated a trust, nor failed to perform a duty. In every situation of domestic trial, she was the most efficient helper and the tenderest friend. Good mother, farewell. |
The King Is Mad
| When we say King George was mad, we don't mean he was angry. Even if he was angry, that's not what the word mad means in this context. The older lady in this video is not angry, but she may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. | Maybe your friend or family member has a similar demeanor to the older lady. Dementia and Alzheimer's affect many of our older population, and perhaps that's what was happening with King George III, as well. What brought George III to this point? Music Appreciation |
Civil War
The presence of slavery in the colonies was something of an ongoing issue. The founders of the United States struggled with the issue (as we have seen in previous lessons). In fact, slavery began in 1619, when 19 Africans were brought to the American shoreline and put up for sale. Think about that: 1619. By the 1780s, slavery had been the way of life for more than 160 years. Something that established would be difficult to quell.
The founders struggled with the issue of slavery, and even in the case of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, it was a difficult fight. Later, Missouri would be at the central part of the slavery issue when it enters the union as a slave state during the Missouri Compromise. Controversy struck again with the Dred Scott Decision in 1857.
The founders struggled with the issue of slavery, and even in the case of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, it was a difficult fight. Later, Missouri would be at the central part of the slavery issue when it enters the union as a slave state during the Missouri Compromise. Controversy struck again with the Dred Scott Decision in 1857.
| Then, fully 240 years removed from those initial 19 slaves, and slavery was still the way of life (mostly in the southern states). The United States had grown immensely and was still growing when Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president. Almost immediately, war erupted. The Civil War, or the War between the States, was fought for a number of reasons, but at the forefront was the issue of slavery. Southern States wanted to form their own country and tried to separate themselves from the northern states, but Lincoln refused to allow that to happen. | |
While the Civil War is something you will learn more about later in your schooling, let us pause, today, to learn just a bit about it. It is important to understand the timeline and the context of the individual parts of history in order to determine successes and failures of the decisions that were made on the way.
When the war was over, slavery in the intact United States was abolished. The slaves were free, but everything that Lincoln and his allies fought for fell short of equality. All men are created equal was still the mantra, but it was still far from reality.
When the war was over, slavery in the intact United States was abolished. The slaves were free, but everything that Lincoln and his allies fought for fell short of equality. All men are created equal was still the mantra, but it was still far from reality.
Civil RightsIt's time to fast forward 100 more years to the 1960s. Martin Luther King Jr. was just one of a number of Civil Rights leaders who worked for equality for blacks in America. | Positive Behavior Conversation |
African-Americans were free from the chains of slavery, yes, but they still could not drink from the same water fountains, eat at the same restaurants, sit in the same seats, or attend the same schools as white people. Their votes in elections still did not count for as much either, and they endured countless derogatory names and stereotypes. If all men are created equal, then where was the equality?
President Lyndon Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, was finally, politically forced to sign the Civil Rights Act into Law in 1964. Most fourth graders in our part of the world fail to understand what this meant to minorities in our country. Nor do they understand the sacrifice made by Martin Luther King Jr. and his contemporaries for the cause. Those people, like all people, certainly had their flaws, but they also had a singular vision of equality in the United States.
President Lyndon Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, was finally, politically forced to sign the Civil Rights Act into Law in 1964. Most fourth graders in our part of the world fail to understand what this meant to minorities in our country. Nor do they understand the sacrifice made by Martin Luther King Jr. and his contemporaries for the cause. Those people, like all people, certainly had their flaws, but they also had a singular vision of equality in the United States.
Civil Discussion
Where does this leave us in the U.S. today, now 400 years since the first slaves were sold and bought? Have things improved since the days of MLK? Have things gotten worse? While traditional slavery is a thing of the past in our country, and while people have equal rights regardless of race, gender, etc., racial tensions still run high in some areas. Racism still affects our society. Assumptions about people because of skin color are still unavoidable. What is the answer? Can it be fixed, or will we always live with disharmony?
Many who speak out about the issue do so with hatred in their voices to the point that we often wonder if civil discourse is even possible. What are some ways to talk about the issue without being offensive or hateful ourselves?
Many who speak out about the issue do so with hatred in their voices to the point that we often wonder if civil discourse is even possible. What are some ways to talk about the issue without being offensive or hateful ourselves?
While We're on the Subject
| The discussion of race, freedom, and equality is complicated. To learn more check these Wonders: |  |
