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Remembering a Civil Rights Hero.
Author: Raine    Date: 02/15/2010 17:01:42

During Black History month, we rightfully call attention the the civil rights movement of the 1960s. What is often not mentioned, is the first civil rights movement, abolition and suffrage and ultimately the right for all Americans to have access to vote.

On this day in history, in 1820, Susan B. Anthony was born. By the age of 16, she was active in in the anti-slavery movement, and by the time she was 29 she was one of the leaders of the Women's suffrage. She is commonly known as the face of Women's Suffrage.

She, along with Elizabeth Cady-Stanton, Amelia Bloomer and many other women forced wonderful and radical change in this nation. She died 14 years before she was legally allowed to vote in this country. Anthony was arrested for voting in the 1872 Presidential Election -- claiming that the Fourteenth Amendment, which guaranteed to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" the privileges of citizenship, and which contained no gender qualification, gave women the constitutional right to vote in federal elections. She never spent time in jail, and was instead fined. She swore she would never pay the fine, and kept that promise until she passed away in 1906. That was quite radical at the time, in some respects, it still is today.

What I have always found interesting regarding Abolition and Suffrage, is that prior to the civil war, they often worked together, however after passing the Fourteenth Amendment, these two movements drifted apart. The American Equal Rights Association (AERA), which had originally fought for both blacks’ and women’s right to suffrage, voted to support the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, granting suffrage to black men, but not women. This ended what was known at the time as Universal Suffrage, which sought for voting rights for all. Anthony and other Suffragettes went on to focus solely on Women's rights and to secure the passage of what would become the 19th Amendment. Passed August 18, 1920, it states:
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Sex.
That one little word is never mentioned in the 14th Amendment. It was passed July 9, 1868, 52 years earlier:
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
One word missing denied millions of people access to the process of choosing our leaders for 52 years. Susan B. Anthony and her colleagues didn't give up.

We have far to go in this country to ensure equal rights for all, but on this day, let's take a moment to remember another true hero of our nation's ongoing civil rights movement. We still have work to do. There are still people who would deny others the right to vote given a chance. There are still millions of people that don't have marriage equality. Change may come slowly, but it will only happen if we continue to move forward.

Sojourner Truth famously noted how difficult it was for men to give women the vote:

"I know that it is hard for one who has held the reins for so long to give up; it cuts like a knife."

How right she was, and still is today.

&
Raine
 

20 comments (Latest Comment: 02/15/2010 23:15:16 by trojanrabbit)
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Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2010 14:23:07
Hey, it's a holiday (for some people), why not.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2010 14:29:10
MOrning



I'm not getting into this not being a real holiday and that government workers here should get their butt's into their offices since they had most of last week off.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2010 14:36:16




Well this is one of those "holidays" for me where I don't get to work and I don't get holiday pay either. The "employee" holidays and the "contractor" holidays don't match.



Actually, things are now rigged so that it's impossible to get holiday pay of any kind.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2010 14:42:30
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/trojanrabbit74/Image1.jpg




look familiar?

Comment by Raine on 02/15/2010 14:50:02
I'm up, and I totally forgot that this was Monday and not Sunday.

Comment by clintster on 02/15/2010 15:41:05
Hola! So, I have the week off for winter break, and right now I am waiting for a training session to start on some new school technology. I have a show going up next week (my first as a high school director), and if you don't Facebook me, Mrs. C and I retired the Prius a couple of weeks ago. She was a good car. (sniffle)



How R U?

Comment by Raine on 02/15/2010 15:44:46
It's really hard trying to write a blog listening to the radio, and yet I can't seem to turn it off.





*sigh*

Comment by Raine on 02/15/2010 15:55:23
Quote by clintster:

Hola! So, I have the week off for winter break, and right now I am waiting for a training session to start on some new school technology. I have a show going up next week (my first as a high school director), and if you don't Facebook me, Mrs. C and I retired the Prius a couple of weeks ago. She was a good car. (sniffle)



How R U?
Hi Clint! Sounds like busy fun for you this week.



I missed that news on the FB, so sorry for the Prius.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/15/2010 16:46:05
Good morning, bloggers!! Clint, sorry to hear about the Prius.



I am off today after working three and a half days Tuesday through Friday, doing stuff around the house Saturday, and feeling a bit sick yesterday. (I am doing better today.



We may get a couple of inches of snow later today. Of more significance, I will have my Mom as a house guest for a few days.

Comment by Raine on 02/15/2010 17:11:24
Blog is finally up! I hope you all enjoy it.



Enjoy your visit with your Mom, Will!

Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2010 17:24:34
I have to say I've always been proud to share my b-day with Susan B Anthony

Comment by Raine on 02/15/2010 17:40:45
Quote by wickedpam:

I have to say I've always been proud to share my b-day with Susan B Anthony


OMG!



I missed it!



HAPPY Birthday Mala!











I feel so bad -- I was so sweating getting this blog written today, I didn't even notice it. I am so sorry!



So are you finally of Drinking age?

Comment by BobR on 02/15/2010 17:42:22
Happy Birthday Mala!!

Comment by livingonli on 02/15/2010 18:36:43
Good day everyone. I was up early since I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I lost a pound and it looks like I am going to be checked for Sleep Apnea. I have more trouble sleeping due to the arm pain but I do snore and have habits that could be symptons of it. And since I didn't sleep much last night I am feeling out of sorts. And there are a few things I felt may have just been happening because I was getting older.





Oh, and happy birthday, Mala. Can't forget that at least until the next time I get to come to DC.



Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2010 18:50:20
Aww thanks guys





Yes Raine, finaly legal drinking age

Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/15/2010 19:01:05
Happy Birthday, Mala!!!!







Comment by Will in Chicago on 02/15/2010 19:01:32
It looks like Evan Bayh is not running for reelection.



Bayh has been a disappointment to me, especially on health care. Now, he will be the fourth Democrat in the Senate not seeking reelection. There also are six Republicans not seeking reelection.



Here are some details from Reuters on the story:



Democratic Senator Bayh will not run for re-election



Glenn Somerville

WASHINGTON

Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:23pm EST



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana will not seek re-election this fall, a Democratic source confirmed, potentially adding to President Barack Obama's difficulty in pushing his initiatives through a balky Congress.



Bayh becomes the fourth sitting Democratic senator to decide against re-election -- leaving seats up for grabs in Indiana, Illinois, North Dakota and Connecticut -- and analysts say six more Democratic seats are vulnerable to a strong Republican challenge in November.



Bayh was to make a formal announcement of his decision on Monday in Indianapolis,





I think that the Democratic strategy of running DLC candidates ends up in weak winners who are vulnerable to Republican challenges. If voters have a choice between a progressive and a conservative, there will be lively debate and motivated voters on both sides. In running a DLC candidate for an office, the Democrats put themselves at a disadvantage. In the contest between GOP-lite and a Republican, Republicans tend to win.

Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2010 19:01:40
Thanks Will

Comment by Mondobubba on 02/15/2010 20:41:07
Quote by wickedpam:

I have to say I've always been proud to share my b-day with Susan B Anthony




Well happy birthday, Miz Mala Ma'am.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2010 23:15:16
Oooo



An almost belated Happy Birthday, Mala!