Obama Presidency

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.  On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.  We remain a young nation.  But in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.  The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation:  the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. “

In this passage Obama was informing the people that it was because of their want for change he was elected the president. The people voted for Obama regardless to his race even with the fear of the unknown. He informs the people that it’s time for new politics to go with the younger generation, who’d soon be in entering the political arena.  Obama is reminding the citizens of the United States that we all should have the same rights and we all are equal, free.

I chose this passage because it represents to me how people can come together when we believe in something. Everyone wanted change and Obama seen that and made it apart of his campaign, ensuring the people that he would fix the country. I believe Obama recognized that there are many problems in the country that needs to be addressed but the outpouring of white and black people at the voting polls shown that the country can unite. He encourages the people who put him in office to realize that we are all born into this world with god given rights and everyone should have them. Regardless, to the color of your skin we are all entitled to happiness and freedom.

Equal Rights

“The political rights of citizenship, unlike the civil rights, were full of potential danger to the capitalist system, although those who were cautiously extending them down to the social scale probably did not realize how great the danger was. They could hardly be expected to foresee what vast changes could be brought about by the peaceful use of political power, without a violent and bloody revolution.”

The passage above states that political rights and civil rights were totally different and giving every citizen of the United States political rights would be a danger to the capitalist system. It’s believed that if all citizens were given the right to vote and equal social protections under the law the system of would fail. That would mean there would be no private ownership, production, distribution and exchange of wealth amongst individuals or corporations. Everyone would have the same right as each other. Although, political participation would bring changes they preferred to have violent wars to keep everyone at a certain economic and social level.  

I chose this quote because I feel that is was important for political participation which would also establish social rights. As citizens of the United States all people should be entitled to the same rights. Civil rights could not be effective without some type of support from the political spectrum. The capitalist system isn’t a fair system. I think it just holds down the people who are aren’t wealthy, while it continues to build up the economic status of those who are already wealthy. Political and social rights are entitled to everyone not just a certain group of individuals.   

Anti-Slavery Movement

“One anti-slavery movement nearly died out fifty years ago, and I am not prepared to deny the possibility of a like fate for this one. The elements of discord and deterioration are already in it, and working their legitimate results. And yet I am not gloomy. Present organizations may perish, but the cause will go on. That cause has a life, distinct and independent of the organizations patched up from time to time to carry it forward. Looked at apart from the bones and sinews, and body, it is a thing immortal. It is the very essence of justice, liberty and love. The moral life of human society—it cannot die, while conscience, honor and humanity remain. If but one be filled with it, the cause lives.…If there be but one such man in the land, no matter what becomes of abolition societies and parties, there will be an anti-slavery cause, and an antislavery movement.…"

In this passage Fredrick Douglas is stating that the Anti-Slavery organizations in the movement aren’t as eager and ready to fight to end slavery as they once were. He feels like the organizations aren’t on the same mission and have become less concerned with the federal government granting liberty for all. These abolitionist have moved to the notion that slave masters would be the person in charge of freeing the slaves ultimately.  Douglas does believe that even if these Anti-Slavery movements deteriorate, there will still be people in the country who will push for the end of slavery through the federal government.

                I believe Fredrick Douglas wasn’t giving up on Anti-Slavery movements and organizations but he was giving up on what they stood for at the time and there efficiency. They were no longer concerned about making it a law that all people whether in the Freed North or South deserved liberty. Although, they all had the same mission to end slavery, they all didn’t go about it the same way. But Douglas had hope that future generations would come forth and push for the end of slavery.