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Jelani,
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
The Fugitive Slave Act was a law passed on September 18th, 1850, in the United States that provided that if an escaped enslaved person was caught, they would be given back to their owner; Congress passed this law as a compromise during the 1850s. Congress felt that the Fugitive Slave Act, along with a series of other laws, was a way to maintain stability between the South, which enslaved people, and the North, which was free of enslaved people. These rules and regulations were supported by Southern states as well as lawmakers who wanted firm measures to ensure that enslaved individuals who escaped and were caught were returned right back to their enslavers.
Abolitionists took several steps in response to the fugitive slave act; this consisted of the organization of protests, rallies, and public meetings to shed light on the injustices of the Fugitive slave act law. The majority of abolitionists had refrained from the implementation of the law and took matters into their own hands by taking enslaved individuals and harboring them while also helping African Americans reach freedom through the Underground Railroad, while many were on this path, other individuals took to write about or speak out against slavery calling attention to the brutality and iniquity of slavery and the law itself.
According to The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 on Wikipedia, “Many free states wanted to disregard the Fugitive Slave Act, but some jurisdictions had passed their own personal laws, mandating a jury trial before alleged fugitive slaves could be moved.” (Wikipedia Contributors. “Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850.). This shows not only did some want to ignore that Congress had passed this act, but some even tried to make specific mandated laws to not fully just return a “Fugitive Slave” to their enslaver but make a trial, which was not much help. I also found on the site the history of racist U.S. Laws for The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 that “Enslavers only needed to supply an affidavit to a Marshall to capture any escaped slaves.”. (Alto Arizona! – History of Racist U.S. Laws.” Www.altoarizona.com, www.altoarizona.com/history-of-racist-us-laws.html#fsa1850. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.).
After reading more of the article, I learned that this not only affected enslaved African Americans but also affected free blacks because any enslaved person who was accused of being an enslaved person led to free blacks having no rights in court and could not prove against the accusations made. I do believe that certain jurisdictions had placed these trials because it would cause less trouble for them since they knew free blacks’ rights had no meaning in court, and they had no way to prove that they were not suspected enslaved people.
Tania,
Racism and sexism have conspired to stifle progress and deny basic rights throughout American history. This article travels through time to examine discriminatory US legislation and the hard fight for women’s suffrage. From slavery to suffrage, the connected history of tyranny and resistance show the perseverance of individuals who battled for justice against great obstacles.
Racism in US laws stems from slavery, which converted people to property and denied them basic rights. From the Fugitive Slave Act to the Dred Scott decision, judicial systems reinforced African American dehumanization, continuing years of tyranny. The Black Codes and Jim Crow legislation institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, denying African Americans political power.
The movement for women’s suffrage began amid racial injustice. The women’s suffrage movement, born of abolitionism and the desire for women’s rights, challenged patriarchal political conventions that excluded women. Women fought for equality and the right to vote under the leadership of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth.
Racism shattered the suffrage movement’s unity and revealed privilege and prejudice. Women of color, disenfranchised by racism and sexism, endured similar injustices as African Americans. African American suffragists like Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell were excluded and discriminated against in mostly white suffrage organizations, highlighting the complex relationship between race and gender in the fight for equality.
Racist attitudes and laws hindered women of color’s suffrage as it grew. African American women’s political aspirations were suppressed by poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation. The 1920 19th Amendment was a major victory for women’s suffrage, but many African American women still faced structural impediments to voting.
Women won suffrage with the 19th Amendment, but the fight for equality continued. Racist US laws perpetuated voter suppression and political inequality. Voter discrimination and disenfranchisement against African American women highlighted the ongoing struggle for democracy and inclusiveness.
The history of racist US laws and women’s right to vote is a tapestry woven with threads of resilience and resistance, marked by triumphs and tribulations alike. From the depths of slavery to the corridors of power, the struggle for equality has been waged on multiple fronts, confronting the intersecting forces of racism and sexism. As we reflect on the journey of those who came before us, we are reminded of the enduring imperative to confront injustice, dismantle systemic barriers, and forge a future where all voices are heard, and all rights are respected.
Reference
Woman Suffrage (nationalgeographic.org)
Women’s Suffrage – The U.S. Movement, Leaders & 19th Amendment | HISTORY
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