As slavery dominated the culture of the South making it prosperous for landowners, black people sought ways to endure their plight. Before The Emancipation Proclamation, the ability to escape was littered by obstacles. After Reconstruction, slaves were required to give more service until they reached age 18, and in some cases 25 if they were of childbearing age. The Negro Act of 1740 in South Carolina made it illegal to move, assemble, raise food, earn money, learn to write; owners were permitted and encouraged to kill those trying to escape.
From 1877-1950, the Jim Crow laws included ... unlawful for races to mingle, play games, be handcuffed with a black prisoner or as a barber serve white women and girls. Although the Civil War was lost to the North to rid it of the vestiges of slavery, the South's resolve to keep it did not fade. Lynching became the primary mechanism of the day to keep free people in fear and subjugation.
In that 75-year period more than 4,000 black men and women were tortured and killed with no justice. White supremacy has its roots in degradation and segregation to demean and not grant full citizenship to people of color. The Civil Rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sought ways to improve the societal ills inflicted upon black people just to name a few.
When blacks gained a level of affluence it was soon destroyed by angry whites. Our tortured history is filled with facts that have been whitewashed to paint a rosy picture of black life. However, this distortion has created an unrealistic reality for some to accept.
Consider the many accomplishments and inventions by blacks that are not widely known. Because the truth has been hidden for so long, to acknowledge it will be painful.
Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner, are to name just a few of the slaughtered black men in this country, without justice. As a Christian nation we should ensure that all have the same opportunity to enjoy those promises that are contained in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
Colossians 3-12 says, As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. But in the last days there will be a reckoning and those in power and authority will have to answer for their actions. God is the ultimate judge and will decide where we spend eternity!
Valerie Reeves
Ocean View
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
