Coyjgoodson - Slavery and the State lyrics

Even today, slavery remains paramount in African American culture. The barbarous practice of human bondage was not unique to America, but in the American South slavery became based exclusively on race. The centuries of servitude endured by Africans shaped their writing, music, and customs — oppression became the most definitive aspect of their culture. Among the truly remarkable accomplishments in American history was the creation of a uniquely African American culture amidst a United States political system hell bent on denying Africans the conditions required for developing that culture. This culture reverberates through the centuries via the powerful literature of the oppressed. A government of slavery: 1641 — Ma**achusetts codifies slavery: The founding legal documents of the country contained provisions making slavery the law of the land. 1776 — Declaration of Independence: A paragon of proper governance and enlightenment values, the Declaration of Independence fails to mention slavery. 1789 — United States Constitution ratified: The Constitution's ratification marked the federal government's adoption and protection of slavery. 1831 — Nat Turner's rebellion: A major slave rebellion that met with initial success, until the government intervened. 1850 — Fugitive Slave Act: This famous compromise exemplifies the danger of a philosophically unsound government. 1857 — Dred Scott v. Sandford: Nine unelected men, appointed by white men who were elected by other white men, decided that 13% of the United States population were not citizens. 1877 — Reconstruction ends: What little role the plight of African Americans played in motivating the North into fighting the Civil War waned, and as the troops left so too did African American's political gains in the South. 1900 — Robert Charles riots: White rioters k**ed many African Americans after a police officer was shot in New Orleans by a negro Robert Charles.