Negroes were supposed to be freed under
President Lincoln’s Proclamation and the 13th
Amendment, they were enslaved again by Southern politicians. Some people are
asking, “Why do most Negroes strongly favor one political party over others?”
The reason is stated in American History. When President Lincoln died, Johnson
became president and vetoed every legislation that favored former slaves.
Northern politicians supported the political party that assisted in advancing
opportunities for former slaves. Negroes knew that it was Lincoln’s party under which partial freedom
came, but the trend changed with the election of President Johnson.
Women suffrage and Negro suffrage were linked together
regarding the vote and some other privileges guaranteed to other citizens.
After 200 years, today the era of suffrage is presented under a different name.
It doesn’t matter what it is called, if the intent and the result is the same…the issue is the same, and
requires the same resistance to it as was applied then.
“Taking America Back,” is a statement often heard in political
campaigning today. I am persuaded that by some of the new legislation pushed
through 34 states that may mean taking this nation back to early post slavery
days. This is denied, but there is evidence that this is a single party
national agenda that minorities has had to fight against. Photo ID legislation
takes us back when it was almost impossible for former slaves to qualify to
vote. This will affect more than 5 million citizens of color today. While we
are expressing concern for open and fair election in other nations, it may be
time for the UN to send election monitors to America and discover if we are practicing
what we are preaching…suffrage by another name.
There may also be women suffrage by another name. No
problem with women right to vote now, but they don’t have a right to determine
what will happen to their own bodies. The discussion on health care also includes
children and the poor.
For the record, I am Negro, Christian, and Democrat. I
claim neither liberal nor conservative label. I am a preacher concerned about
the welfare of all people. I preach and teach against abortion. I preach and
teach what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. Men and women who share
homosexual life styles must be afforded every accommodations other citizens (job,
housing, education, healthcare, etc). If
it is true everyone should marry the person they love. What about a son marring
his mother, a father his daughter, a brother his sister? If the union is based on love “Eros”…is that
where we are headed? Even nature testifies real marriage is between male and
female.
We also hear suffrage by another name in words. A
selection of people associated with one of the political parties real feelings
for President Obama and women slips out in words. Words beyond debate on the
serious politics of our day, like that of a federal judge suggesting Obama’s
mother had sex with a dog, like that of a recent law suit challenging Obama
qualification to be president based on his birth as a mulatto, words from
birthers questionings Obama’s citizenship and scholarship and many more. Then there are slanderous words suggesting
that women are sluts and prostitutes because they dare fight for the right to
have their concerns addressed in the national political discussions. Personalities
of all political parities may at some time be guilty of personal attacks,
whoever and whenever it is…this must be recognized as sexist and racist. Could
it be that the party of Lincoln
that precipitated the freeing of slaves may now be under the influence of a
party called Tea? SUFFAGE BY ANOTHER NAME!
Pastor Jerry G. Jerkins
Clarksville 931-552-6045
March 8 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment