This is one of several essays I've written on diverse topics, and I thought it was relevant.

On Bill H.R. 40
Marshall Rendina

The bill, H.R. 40: Commission to Study Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act, should be rightly supported by all members of congress that proclaim liberty and justice for all. The bill reads “To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.” The bill has not been passed, but a resolution was passed on July 29, 2008 apologizing for slavery and Jim Crow. Having acknowledged the injustice of slavery, Congress should further establish a committee to research remedies to solve current problems in the African American community that can be traced back to slavery.

It is without question that by not granting the same rights to blacks as to whites after the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th, amendments, social and economic injustices are still apparent over 140 years later. Although progress was made between 1865 and 1877, Jim Crow laws, including segregation on public facilities, rail cars and schools made it more difficult for African Americans to become employed and participate in politics. The effect of Jim Crow laws and de jure segregation is the de facto segregation that exists today. Blacks are confined to neighborhoods with inadequate public services, transportation, and education.

The Plessy V. Ferguson decision was unconstitutional in that separate but equal had no actual literal meaning. Equal rights were not administered because there were not equal opportunities to participate in politics, or become employed, or get an education. Furthermore, there was not equal protection under the law. The government in the south turned their heads away from lynchings, the KKK, and other hate violence.

As citizens of the United States under the Fourteenth Amendment, blacks served honorably in the military in both world wars. This service demonstrates further that the African American demographic needs to be rewarded the same opportunities as the rest of the country. Voting rights were denied to blacks long after the passing of Fifteenth Amendment, with literacy tests, poll taxes, and Jim Crow property laws. Even well into the twentieth century poll taxes were used until the 24th amendment was passed in 1964. The 2000 election was corrupt, and black voters in Florida were not properly accounted for. These topics could form another body of research themselves.

The Brown v. Board of Education decision was not enough, as de facto segregation exists today in many of America’s urban areas, both North and South. This is again the result of old Jim Crow laws and racial terrorism. By allowing blacks the same educational opportunities as whites, and the same economic opportunities, improvements could be made.

Equal protection under the law is not being practiced. Blacks in law enforcement are misrepresented, and criminal behavior is encouraged by society. The media has portrayed blacks as being criminally minded. Research on this topic and as to how to improve the representation of blacks is another issue as well, and again, the roots of the issue go all the way back to slavery. Police brutality and riots in the 60s and in the 90s have shown that race is still an issue in law enforcement.

The civil rights act of 1964 was a great achievement for the rights of African Americans, but there are still issues that are present that are not covered by the law. The de facto segregation and gentrification that exists today are still big problems.

The main argument that is made in the bill is that slavery was sanctioned and allowed by the United States government. The fact that the United States, a symbol of freedom in the world, would allow for such a horrendous tragedy to occur is reason enough to allow a small committee to do research, even for historical purposes alone. Barack Obama will hopefully support this bill and improve blacks’ position in politics. His presidency should prove to make giant steps for African Americans in all levels of society.

The committee would seek to find “appropriate remedies” for the situation in the black community. This simply means they would research ways to improve the situation in the African American community, not hand out money. The committee would only consist of seven members. The United States of America has the resources to pay seven people’s salaries to do some research.

This is one of several essays I've written on diverse topics, and I thought it was relevant.

On Bill H.R. 40
Marshall Rendina

The bill, H.R. 40: Commission to Study Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act, should be rightly supported by all members of congress that proclaim liberty and justice for all. The bill reads “To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.” The bill has not been passed, but a resolution was passed on July 29, 2008 apologizing for slavery and Jim Crow. Having acknowledged the injustice of slavery, Congress should further establish a committee to research remedies to solve current problems in the African American community that can be traced back to slavery.

It is without question that by not granting the same rights to blacks as to whites after the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th, amendments, social and economic injustices are still apparent over 140 years later. Although progress was made between 1865 and 1877, Jim Crow laws, including segregation on public facilities, rail cars and schools made it more difficult for African Americans to become employed and participate in politics. The effect of Jim Crow laws and de jure segregation is the de facto segregation that exists today. Blacks are confined to neighborhoods with inadequate public services, transportation, and education.

The Plessy V. Ferguson decision was unconstitutional in that separate but equal had no actual literal meaning. Equal rights were not administered because there were not equal opportunities to participate in politics, or become employed, or get an education. Furthermore, there was not equal protection under the law. The government in the south turned their heads away from lynchings, the KKK, and other hate violence.

As citizens of the United States under the Fourteenth Amendment, blacks served honorably in the military in both world wars. This service demonstrates further that the African American demographic needs to be rewarded the same opportunities as the rest of the country. Voting rights were denied to blacks long after the passing of Fifteenth Amendment, with literacy tests, poll taxes, and Jim Crow property laws. Even well into the twentieth century poll taxes were used until the 24th amendment was passed in 1964. The 2000 election was corrupt, and black voters in Florida were not properly accounted for. These topics could form another body of research themselves.

The Brown v. Board of Education decision was not enough, as de facto segregation exists today in many of America’s urban areas, both North and South. This is again the result of old Jim Crow laws and racial terrorism. By allowing blacks the same educational opportunities as whites, and the same economic opportunities, improvements could be made.

Equal protection under the law is not being practiced. Blacks in law enforcement are misrepresented, and criminal behavior is encouraged by society. The media has portrayed blacks as being criminally minded. Research on this topic and as to how to improve the representation of blacks is another issue as well, and again, the roots of the issue go all the way back to slavery. Police brutality and riots in the 60s and in the 90s have shown that race is still an issue in law enforcement.

The civil rights act of 1964 was a great achievement for the rights of African Americans, but there are still issues that are present that are not covered by the law. The de facto segregation and gentrification that exists today are still big problems.

The main argument that is made in the bill is that slavery was sanctioned and allowed by the United States government. The fact that the United States, a symbol of freedom in the world, would allow for such a horrendous tragedy to occur is reason enough to allow a small committee to do research, even for historical purposes alone. Barack Obama will hopefully support this bill and improve blacks’ position in politics. His presidency should prove to make giant steps for African Americans in all levels of society.

The committee would seek to find “appropriate remedies” for the situation in the black community. This simply means they would research ways to improve the situation in the African American community, not hand out money. The committee would only consist of seven members. The United States of America has the resources to pay seven people’s salaries to do some research.