AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROLE IN MAKING CONSTITUTION
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROLE IN MAKING CONSTITUTION
Introduction
There are various African-Americans who directly or indirectly were engaged in the process of developing the American constitution. African-Americans can be considered to have largely participated in the constitution process indirectly. One of the key processes that allow for the development of an inclusive constitution is advocacy. There are several Black Americans that were actively engaged in advocacy that includes Fredrick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Absalom Jones, and Richard Allen. Others were indirectly involved such as Dred Scott. As such, we shall analyze the role that these African Americans played in the development of the constitution.
Discussion
One of the first major fugitives to speak out against slavery was Fredrick Douglass. One of the greatest strengths that set Frederick on the cause of being a great abolitionist was his ability to communicate eloquently. Many whites could not believe that he could communicate orally in a proficient manner and he wrote an autobiography in which he named all his previous slave owners[1]. One of the areas that he was instrumental in was in the development of the fifteenth amendment. The fifteenth amendment allowed all people of American citizenship to have the right to vote. Through the power of speech and the first-hand accounts that Frederick Douglas had, he was able to influence the constitution amendment process by power of persuasion. This aspect made Douglass one of the most influential advocates for black freedom in various areas, especially in the voting process. In doing so, he was able to be involved in the constitution-making process to deliver it as we know it today.
Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave that became an underground rail conductor. She was a fierce freedom fighter for slaves and women’s rights. She had a deep drive to help rescue the enslaved African-Americans. She was famously nicknamed ‘Moses’ for her role in freeing slaves. Through underground rail-roads, Harriet was able to work in collaboration with other people to ensure the freedom of slaves[2]. She was also influential in the civil war where she offered her services to cooking and acting as a spy for the Union. After the war, she has engaged actively in advocating for women’s rights. This was particularly important to the US constitution as she helped fight for women’s rights through an affiliation to Susan Anthony and Elizabeth Cady who formed the National Women Suffrage Association that pushed for various women’s rights in the constitution, including the right for all to vote[3]. Therefore, through her exemplary role in the fight for slavery and the hardships she underwent in life, Harriet was able to be a picture model for women in America and as such, help to fight for freedom for the women.
Sojourner Truth was also a critical figure in the liberation of slaves and advocating for women’s rights. Truth was born a slave and managed to escape. She was sold to four owners before escaping with her infant child[4]. Truth, through engagement with religious groups, was able to develop her oratory ability. Through her oratory skills, she was able to reach many people in her preaching endeavors, including Garrison’s anti-slavery organization. The organization enabled her to give speeches on her accounts of slavery. Most notably was the “Ain’t I a woman?” speech where she challenged the existing ideologies on gender equality, especially among the minorities[5]. One of her major roles in shaping the constitution is through the Freedmen’s Bureau[6] Act of 1865 where she engaged in helping many freed slaves to enjoy their constitutional rights. Through her life as a slave and subsequent ferocity in speaking on behalf of black men and women’s rights, Sojourner Truth was able to help advocate for the Freedmen’s Bureau and subsequently worked in it which helped create equality.
Absalom Jones was the first African-American priest of the Episcopal Church. He is known for his role as an abolitionist petitioner. In his role, he established the black Episcopal Church[7] where he was involved in aiding the newly freed African Americans. One of the major reasons for founding the church was the widespread discrimination associated with the mainstream Episcopal church. Absalom Jones has engaged actively in the petitioning of the Fugitives Act of 1793. The act encouraged the cruel treatment of African-Americans. Moreover, the deadline for the abolition of the slave trade had passed with no real action from the US congress. Jones looked at the immorality of engaging in the slave trade as a basis for the petition looking at the rights of everyman being born free. This attempt did not succeed. However, this set the platform for the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in all its forms. In this way, Absalom Jones played a critical role in shaping the US constitution.
Richard Allen was a slave that bought his freedom. His major role in the US constitution was similar to Absalom Jones. In 1787, Allen, alongside Jones founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church that was based in Philadelphia. Through his writings, Allen was able to engage many people into the evils of slavery. Through his writings, he was able to inspire many visionaries. One of the key areas that he helped in was the formulation of various articles of association to create equal citizenry in the country. In this way, he was a precursor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)[8]. This also led to the development of the public act of the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society in 1833[9]. This pushed for the ratification of the fourteenth and fifteenth Amendments and after the ratification was dissolved. In this way, Allen set the precedence for the development of the US constitution as we know it today.
One of the most famous cases leading up to the abolishment of slavery was that of Dred Scot versus Sanford. Dred Scot was a slave that was moved by his owners from the slave area of Missouri Compromise to the non-slave territory of Missouri Territory. In this way, Dred argued that he had acquired his freedom when he was taken back to Missouri. The Missouri Compromise admitted Maine as a slave-free area while maintaining the area of Missouri as a slave territory as a way of balancing the power of both North and South. Scott sued in a Missouri court for his freedom but lost the case. He later petitioned to Missouri State Court and lost and pushed further to the US Supreme Court. At the US Supreme Court, it was decided against him. The reasoning was that African-American people are not included in the meaning of citizens as stated in the constitution. As such, they do not qualify to be protected by any of the rights accorded to the US citizens. This decision led to a devastating reaction for the pro-slavery group[10]. Shortly after the decision, the American Civil War began. The Union won the war and the 13th and 14th Amendments were instituted which reversed the decision. By filing for his freedom and seeking justice to the highest court, Dred Scott indirectly played a critical role in the development of the US constitution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the analysis of the roles of African Americans in the development of the US constitution enables us to identify various characters that were critical in various aspects. Women such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth were crucial not only in the development of equal rights for blacks but also for fighting for women equality. Fredrick Douglass, Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, and Dred Scott are other influential people who indirectly played a critical role in the development of the US constitution, especially in the areas of racial inclusivity and ending of slave trade, despite their limited ability to read and write.
Bibliography
Steven Mintz. “Frederick Douglass: From Slavery to Freedom.” Retrieved from https://www.seaford.k12.ny.us/cms/lib011/NY01000674/Centricity/Domain/324/1240_frederick_douglass_from_slavery_to_freedom_0%20copy.pdf
History. 2019. “Underground Railroad.” Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad
Historical Society. “Harriet Tubman.” Retrieved from http://www.harriet-tubman.org/women-rights-suffrage/
Michals Debra. 2015. “Sojourner Truth” National Women’s History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth
“Lesser Feasts and Fasts.” 2003. New York: Church Publishing. 2003. p. 160. ISBN 0-89869-410-8.
Richard Newman. 2011. “Philadelphia: The deliberative city” Retrieved from https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/philadelphia-the-deliberative-city
Nowak John, Rotunda Ronald D. 2012. “Treatise on Constitutional Law: Substance and Procedure (5th ed.)”. Eagan, Minnesota: West Thomson/Reuters. OCLC 798148265.
[1] Steven Mintz. “Frederick Douglass: From Slavery to Freedom.” Retrieved from https://www.seaford.k12.ny.us/cms/lib011/NY01000674/Centricity/Domain/324/1240_frederick_douglass_from_slavery_to_freedom_0%20copy.pdf
[2] History. 2019. “Underground Railroad.” Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad
[3] Historical Society. “Harriet Tubman.” Retrieved from http://www.harriet-tubman.org/women-rights-suffrage/
[4] Michals Debra. 2015. “Sojourner Truth” National Women’s History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth
[5] Michals Debra. 2015. “Sojourner Truth” National Women’s History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth
[6] Ibid 5
[7] “Lesser Feasts and Fasts.” 2003. New York: Church Publishing. 2003. p. 160. ISBN 0-89869-410-8.
[8] Richard Newman. 2011. “Philadelphia: The deliberative city” Retrieved from https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/philadelphia-the-deliberative-city
[9] Ibid 8
[10] Nowak John, Rotunda Ronald D. 2012. “Treatise on Constitutional Law: Substance and Procedure (5th ed.)”. Eagan, Minnesota: West Thomson/Reuters. OCLC 798148265.