#4- The Frederick Douglas Key Post: Town Hall Meeting- Thomas Roderick Dew

Slavery is a condition where people are owned as property to perform manual labor and not have rights. Many people in the south owned slaves for various reasons like social- economies, religion, and history as a whole. There was an argument about ending slavery in the South. However slavery should not be abolished, and I am Thomas Roderick Dew. 

https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/dew-thomas-r-1802-1846/

I was born in a wealthy town in Kings and Queens County Virginia on December 5th, 1802. I am the son of Captain Thomas and Lucy Dew. My father was a successful Revolutionary War soldier, and hero. Then he bought a farm and became a very wealthy planter. 

https://americainclass.org/a-pro-slavery-argument/

I believe that slavery was seen throughout history in ancient time in Greece and Rome to a much greater scene than in the South. Slavery was established by god himself. Never in the bible did anyone speak against slavery… It would be a treat to the mankind of the south to end slavery. All slave owners should treat their slaves kindly and with fairness. 

https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/bitstream/handle/10288/16541/thomasroderickde335coll.pdf?sequence=2

I believe there is no stronger bond than with a slave and their owner. Slavery also benefits the people that are enslaved giving them a better life and status in life. I also know from experience and first hand views that most slaves love their masters and enjoy serving them and seeing the great world we are making. I am support to those master if they are ever having doubts, reminding them why we our fighting to keep slavery around and the joy it brings to everyday life. 

https://alchetron.com/Thomas-Roderick-Dew

Having slaves makes America's economy flourish and without them we would not be able to maintain the life we desire. Relating this statement back to religion God would never want to see society as a whole fail and knows that slavery is what is best for society as a whole. If slavery is abolished there would be a lack of social order, and the economy will never be the same. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_College_of_William_%26_Mary

It was my great honor and privilege to be asked by Governor John Floyd of Virginia to write the “Virginia Legislature of 1831 and 1832”. I wrote this with the motive to educate and defend slavery to Virginia when they were thinking about abolishing it. This essay also helped me voice that slavery might not be the most Christian idea in the world but it is Gods will and we the people of Virginia should follow it, in order to live in the best happiest world.

https://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/campaignforabolition/sources/proslavery/proslaverysources.html

After all of this slavery was ended in the state of Virginia-- which I was still vocal about bringing back. However I went on with life to teach classes in politics, ancient history, and economics at the prestigious school William and Mary in the great state of Virginia. I then became an established professor in political law. This led me to becoming a decade long president of this amazing college. 

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2016/04/making-bigotry-sound-beneficial-a-longstanding-tradition.html

Overall my findings through history, life, show the importance of keeping slavery alive in the south. It is not only justified in the bible but God wants what is best for us which is slavery. It helps keep the country safe, happy, and economically/socially stable. There is nothing like a bond between a slave and their owners, where they are treated fairly. Slavery should keep going in order for society to run smoothly. 

Work Cited

https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dew-thomas-roderick

https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/text-pro-slavery-argument-1832-thomas-dew

#3 Bible Team Challenge

Throughout history, different religions view slavery in different ways; some are pro-slavery and others are anti-slavery. This post helps explain the different ways the Christian and Islamic religion view slavery. Both religions have text that are for and against slavery. In our existence there are documented demonstrations of why slavery should not occur. Two of these sources are the Bible and Qur’an.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism

 The bible explains that there are no slaves in life, only free people. In the Bible, book of Galatians, it states “there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-29) (biblegateway.com). This shows that the Bible does not support slavery in any race or gender and sees all people as free. In the book of Leviticus, in the bible, it explains that no matter what economic status a person is they should never be a slave, “If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave” (Leviticus 25:39) (biblegateway.com). All of the textual evidence above proves that slavery is not approved in the Bible.

https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/viral-videos-trending/the-holy-quran-experiment-what-happens-when-people-are-quoted-verses-from-a-holy-book/

After exploring the Qur'an, I found few examples of it against slavery.  It explains that slaves can have higher status. However, Islamic culture  law contained more strict punishment for the mistreatment of slaves (BBC.co/UK). This is a quote from the Qur’an that proves it does not support slavery: “Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom”(Qur’an, 5:89)(fristthings.com). This quote explains that everyone should have freedom and basic rights in their life. 

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/biblical-slavery/

Since early civilization, slavery has been an infrastructure of ancient societies, which can be learned by observing the texts of the Christian Bible and the Qur’an, two traditional religions that have been practiced for thousands of years and continue to be today. While neither Christianity nor Islam directly condone slavery, it is a part of ancient culture and addressed in their texts, even going to the extent as to giving permission to early Christ to buy slaves: “As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you” (Leviticus 25:44) (biblegateway.com). While this passage does not directly encourage slavery, it approves of it and accepts it as a part of ancient culture. Although slavery is allowed, the masters are expected to “treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven”(Colassians 4:1) (gatewaybible.com).

 

https://mvslim.com/5-tips-on-how-to-complete-the-quran-in-30-days/

Because slavery was a part of a functioning economy in the ancient world, it’s commonality required clarification from the religious text on the treatment of slaves, even though it does not explicitly condone it. The Qur’an is much more explicit with how it views slavery, encouraging men to have sex with their slave girls. “And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you” (Qur’an, 4:24)(firstthings.com). While slavery was allowed and unquestionable aspect of Islamic culture, the freeing of slaves was not looked down upon and even viewed as commendable when a slave was freed. However, there is a paradox in the issue of slavery in Islam as Muhammed, the prophet of Islam and proclaimer of the Qur'an, (brittanica.com) profited from all aspects of the slave trading business. Even though Muslim law only condemned slavery due to force from the British government in the 20th century, the Qur’an never explicitly condones it. While both ancient Christianity and Islam never condone slavery, both texts acknowledge it as a practice that contributed  to keep the economy flowing in the ancient world, and addressed how it’s followers should handle it.

https://www.loc.gov/item/rbpe.13700400/ 

Over time, slavery has been abolished and deemed culturally unacceptable by christians and the majority of muslims. Even though Christians have used the Bible to promote slavery, specifically from the period of European colonization in the Americas until the abolition of slavery in the United States, the biblical argument against slavery heavily influenced the abolitionist movement and contributed to the end of slavery in the United States. Unfortunately, while the majority of Muslims today are anti slavery (brandeis.edu), specifically in western culture, Mauritania and Sudan, both Muslim countries, openly practice slavery (firstthings.com). The majority of those enslaved are Christian or non-Muslims, which is justified by the Qur’an as unbelievers are referred to as the “worst of created beings” (Qur’an, 98:6)(fristthings.com). Even though both religions have drastically changed their stance on slavery, there is skepticism on both  text’s position on slavery as culture continues to evolve.

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/520643348411711488

Hence the Bible and the Qur’an both have textual evidence that support and argue against slavery.  The Bible seems to be more level with support for supporting and not supporting slavery. However, the Qur’an supports slavery more than the Bible. The Qur’an, however, gives more freedom and treats them with more kindness than in the Bible. However, both textual pieces have demonstrate the beliefs for commending slavery and abolishing slavery. 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/05/frederick-douglass-anti-slavery-speech-what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july

Sources: 

• https://www.openbible.info/topics/pro-slavery

• https://www.openbible.info/topics/anti-slavery 

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_1.shtml

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/slavery_1.shtml

• https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2008/02/slavery-christianity-and-islam

• https://www.brandeis.edu/projects/fse/muslim/slavery.html

• https://www.openbible.info/topics/pro-slavery

• https://www.openbible.info/topics/anti-slavery

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad

#2 Speech Theories: Promote Innovation

After looking, reading, and comprehending the eight values of free expression there was one right away I knew I wanted to further explore. This key value is promoting innovation through free speech. 

Promoting Innovation aligns with the first amendment. The first amendment guarantees basic rights to religion, expression, assembly, petition, and freedom of speech. Promoting Innovation is when a given community has free speech protected and encouraged so citizens can carry out important issues in more meaningful ways. It allows different points of views to come together, and feel more seen to make the best community allowed. 

It allows people to be heard as a whole and for their ideas to hopefully be followed through to help make the community a better place for all. 

Jack M. Balkan is an educated professor who teaches constitutional law and the first amendment at Yale Law School. His studies directly correlate to promoting Innovation, which falls under the first amendment. In his Article, Cultural Democracy and the First Amendment, Balkan states “In a free society, people should have the right to participate in the forms of meaning-making that shape who they are and that help constitute them as individuals” (Jack M. Bakin). 

The quote shows how Bakin sees the importance of the first amendment to shape not only individuals but a society as a whole. It also shows how people who have their freedom of speech limited and monitored do not live in a free or healthy place. It not only shows the value of freedom of speech but the importance it has on shaping individuals as a whole. 

I personally believe that in order to make an informed decision about politics, politicians need to have freedom of speech so that the voter understands what they believe in and stand for. In order for citizens to be educated and vote for people with similar beliefs freedom of speech is needed, which then helps shape an empowering community within. 

I picked Promoting Innovation out of eight other valves of free expression not only because it was important to me but because I never thought of freedom of speech as such a privilege. I wanted to be more educated on the topic, and comprehend other professionals, like Balkin, thoughts on the matter. Many places in the world do not have the privilege to speak up and talk about politics like in America.

After my research I see the importance of using your voice to advocate for what you strongly believe in to make a better community because others do not have that privilege given to them. I also now see the importance of listening to other voices of people, especially those in power, to understand politics, their point of view, and the social regime of politics. 

I also now know that it is important to use your free speech to build a better diverse community. When people have the power to use their voice amazing change has occurred and will continue to occur. 

Freedom of speech in order to promote innovation is seen in the media today with all the rallies for politics, race matters, and the LGBTQIA community. These people are rallying to get their voice heard and make the community a better place.

Hence promoting Innovation through freedom of speech is vital in creating a healthy empowering community. I am blessed to live in a country that does not limit my speech and empowers me to use my voice and to hear others. 

https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/nulr/vol110/iss5/3

WORK CITED

• Jack M. Balkin, Cultural Democracy and the First Amendment, 110 Nw. U. L. Rev. 1053 (2016).https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/nulr/vol110/iss5/3

#1 Reflection On The Supreme Court Video

In class we were able to actively take notes and partake in watching a video about the supreme court system. I will now be sharing what I learned in the video. The government has three different branches that are government following to guarantee that no one branch has too much power.

The three branches are the legislative, executive and judicial branches. The supreme court falls under the judicial body, and they are a co-equal branch of this government. It is also the most powerful form of the judicial body that not only upholds the rule of law but deals with human dilemmas. With the faith of the citizens of the United States they interpret the constitution in cases.

They make sure that every court case gets the fourteenth amendment, due process. Due process ensures that every case has a fair and equal judgment. In cases the judges shake hands before to show respect. They are educated on case before case and have to keep an open mind during discussion of the cases. They hear cases in public and lawyers have thirty minutes to argue their cases. There have been one hundred supreme justices in all time that are all appointed by the president, in total there are nine supreme jurors at a time.

If someone thinks they did not have a fair trial in a lower level court they can send a petition to the supreme court to review their case. This a long and expensive process, however, everyone gets the same attention for petitioning the court. Court releases decisions at the end of the session in June and the press gets copies of decisions and information of the case. The press then gives the information to the public so they can get to know and see why they came to that animus opinion. 

This is some of the viable information that I learned when watching this video, to help better educate myself on the Judicial system. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWRoXYRsaeo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8qSuWxcG8