State of Michigan’s Post

We exist in a state of constant flux. Every pillar created for righteous change is almost certainly rebutted by the unchanged hearts that beat within places of power. These powers have unlimited resources and a convenient advantage known as Arrival Fallacy. Simply put, it is the notion that achieving a specific outcome or status will lead to a permanent state of contentment. That notion is ending slavery ended the problem or that any of the laws you meticulously mentioned ended the problem. It is a gateway for well-meaning Americans to become apathetic and poor allies. It also manufactures aversive racists, cranking them out like post-it notes, sticking to legislation, and covering up the progress that could be made. I'll end b saying - If freedom was made into a soup, 2 things would happen simultaneously. Forks would be made free and the cost of spoons would increase. It is a heart issue and always has been. Laws don't change people, people change laws...but those who didn't vote for it, always find ways to fight it. Most of the significant impacts to civil rights law happened because it affected $$ not because it was the morally right thing to do. $$ lost because Blacks stopped using buses - changed the law to get those dollars...not the heart. The heart is where the law must change. The heart that sees humanity and all we could be together. 👀 THANKS FOR HELPING US KEEP OUR EYES ON THE PRIZE 👀

Acquiescence is not ok.

60 years ago today, the 1964 Civil Rights Act was signed into law. This significant piece of legislation prohibited the practice of segregation and discrimination in public spaces. Before its passage, these practices were widely accepted nationwide as both law and custom, systematically excluding African Americans from participating in various aspects of public life. The oppressive flame of racism may have been extinguished in some ways. In ways, its embers continue to smolder. This ongoing issue emphasizes the crucial need for activists and community leaders to spearhead the change and progress necessary for a more inclusive and equitable America in the future. #SongFoundation #AmplifyEquity #AmplifyPower

I would like to address a matter that I consider important, which is the continuous impact of w.h.i.t.e supremacy in our national legislative body. As we all know, the United States abolished slavery in 1865, which was a major step forward in our country's history. But that was just the beginning of a long and ongoing struggle for civil rights. One of the first significant acts was the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which aimed to establish equality for all. This was followed by the adoption of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution in 1868, which granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and prohibited states from denying equal protection of the law to any person. 📜 In 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed, preventing states from using race, color, or prior servitude as a basis for denying voting rights. And let's not forget the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which prohibited discrimination in public places like 🏨hotels, 🎭theaters, and 🚎public transportation. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that even with these advancements, life for emancipated slaves was far from easy. Many of these laws, despite their good intentions, actually imposed additional hurdles and barriers for black Americans, significantly impacting their quality of life. It's a painful reality we must confront. 💔 Historically we have to acknowledge that the legislative body is the epitome of w.h.i.t.e. supremacy. The very foundation of these United States was built on laws and policies that oppressed black people systematically from the beginning. Please understand that being civically engaged is in fact confronting w.h.i.t.e supremacy. We must prioritize the reassessment and revision of policies throughout our entire nation. Our focus should be on striving for progress and guaranteeing that our laws and regulations align with the principles of freedom and independence. I provided a list of important legislation that has greatly influenced our nation's history. Please review it and express your opinions and insights in the comments section. 👇🏼 1. The Homestead Act (1862) 2. The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) 3. The 13th Amendment (1865) 4. The 14th Amendment (1868) 5. The Reconstruction Act (1867) 6. The Morrill Act (1862) 7. The Treaty of Washington (1871) 8. The Dawes Act (1887) 9. The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) 10. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883) 11. The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) 12. The Hepburn Act (1906) 13. The Federal Reserve Act (1913) 14. The Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) 15. The Smith-Lever Act (1914) 16. The National Park Service Organic Act (1916) 17. The Espionage Act (1917) 18. The Sedition Act (1918) 19. The Indian Citizenship Act (1924) 20. The New Deal legislation (1933-1938) #civicengagement #policychange

Civil rights are the foundation of any democratic society. They are the rights that guarantee every individual’s equal treatment and protection under the law, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of civil rights, their history, the different types, and how you can advocate for your rights. So, let’s embark on this journey to understanding your civil rights. https://lnkd.in/dyDQYify

Juneteenth is an extremely important holiday for all Americans. As a Central Florida native, I find the story of Moses Norman and the massacre of 30-80 black Ocoee residents on November 2, 1920, as providing crucial local context to the ongoing struggle for equal rights. This tragic event, sparked by Norman’s attempt to exercise his right to vote, is one of many episodes in the long and deadly fight for civil rights faced by black Americans since the Thirteenth Amendment was passed in 1865, shortly after the Civil War. Juneteenth marks a key turning point, but more importantly, it highlights that the struggle for equal rights did not end with the Thirteenth Amendment, the Civil Rights Act of 1957, or the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As recently as 2021, nineteen states have enacted voting access restrictions that disproportionately affect people of color. The fight for equality continues today, and Juneteenth serves as a stark reminder that there are still battles ahead to be fought and won.

In the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality, local people served as the crucial conduits between national organizations and the grassroots base, bridging gaps and translating overarching civil rights goals into actionable steps tailored to specific communities. Moreover, the stories and testimonies of local people illuminated the human cost of segregation and racism, personalizing the struggle and making it resonate on a broader stage. Their relentless spirit, undying hope, and everyday heroism, though less publicized, remain the bedrock upon which the Civil Rights Movement was built and thrived. Although there were many thousands, here are just a handful. https://lnkd.in/gXssTNac

Understanding felony disenfranchisement and its impact on African Americans is crucial, especially in the context of Juneteenth. ✅ Learn how past injustices still affect voting rights today. Discover how disenfranchisement perpetuates systemic inequality. Understand the ongoing battle to ensure every voice is heard. Juneteenth, a symbol of liberation, reminds us of the continuing struggle for true freedom and civil rights. Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/e4uk5F4Q.

Sixty years ago, LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. Today, the activism continues: https://lnkd.in/g2X7wa6s Over a five-year span between 1865 and 1870, following the end of the Civil War, three constitutional amendments were ratified to end slavery (the 13th), make formerly enslaved people U.S. citizens (the 14th) and give all men the right to vote regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (the 15th). In the decades that followed, however, and despite provision that “the Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation,” various states and municipalities passed “Jim Crow” laws, abused poll taxes and literacy tests to limit voting and condoned racially motivated violence to enforce segregation and disenfranchise African Americans. Featured CU expert: Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, a University of Colorado Boulder assistant professor of African American and U.S. history

The 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act: A Renewed Commitment It's crucial to remember the words of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson before he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law 60 years ago on July 2, 1964: "The Civil Rights Act is a challenge to all of us to work in our communities and our States, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of injustice in our beloved country." This groundbreaking legislation prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Sixty years ago, our Nation navigated closer to our North Star, the founding principle of America: that we are all created equal and deserve equal treatment throughout our lives. Though we have never fully achieved this ideal, we have never walked away from it. Let's pledge that we will not abandon it now. Indeed, protecting civil rights remains one of our most critical responsibilities, especially in these fragile, politically divisive times. Our dedication to ensuring justice and equality for all Americans reflects the very essence of our Nation's ideals. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement by Merrick B. Garland, the 86th United States Attorney General, stating: "The Civil Rights Act … gave the Justice Department some of its most important tools to protect Americans from discrimination, including at school, in the workplace, in voting, and in places of public accommodation. Today, we remember the generations of Americans who risked their lives — and the many who sacrificed their lives — in the struggle to claim the rights guaranteed to Black Americans and to all Americans under the Constitution. … Today, as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the Justice Department renews [its] commitment to meeting that challenge." On this anniversary, let's recommit to continuing the work that the Civil Rights Act began six decades ago — it is the task of our time to build a democracy where every American is treated with dignity and has an equal opportunity to follow their dreams. Let's continue to move forward together. Let's stand with one another. Let's choose to be believers, dreamers, and doers. #CivilRights #History #Politics