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To set the law in motion: The Freedmen's Bureau and the legal rights of Blacks, 1865-1868
250 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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October 28, 2019
This book presents some very interesting and intimate history of the era immediately following the conclusion of the Civil War. This entire process of the repatriation of the rebelling states is glossed over in the history lessons taught in school. None of the hard decisions are discussed in the lessons taught to us and to our children.
This period is a very difficult one in which the obvious prejudices of the southern states, and even the subconscious prejudices of the north were put to the test and the ability of the United States to begin the fair treatment of all men as equals was commenced.
This book painstakingly recounts a short period of time (1865 - 1868) when the infamous Jim Crow laws sprouted throughout the south. It details the difficult relations in establishing the rights of a free man who was formerly a slave. How is society expected to make the sudden sea-change required by the 13th Amendment? Even the well-meaning get it wrong, and should have been expected to have difficulty with this. The perspectives are suddenly very foreign and unexpected. There was no good precedent to follow.
The legislation and the public policy initiatives frequently found themselves at odds with attitudes. This country was also forced to face, head on, facial equality versus the inequality of application. While there have since been many court decisions decrying the unequal application of what are apparently equal and equitable statutory provisions.
It is well to understand how these battles started in order to help us understand where we are today, and how we must continue to protect the rights of minorities in the face of unjust majorities.
This period is a very difficult one in which the obvious prejudices of the southern states, and even the subconscious prejudices of the north were put to the test and the ability of the United States to begin the fair treatment of all men as equals was commenced.
This book painstakingly recounts a short period of time (1865 - 1868) when the infamous Jim Crow laws sprouted throughout the south. It details the difficult relations in establishing the rights of a free man who was formerly a slave. How is society expected to make the sudden sea-change required by the 13th Amendment? Even the well-meaning get it wrong, and should have been expected to have difficulty with this. The perspectives are suddenly very foreign and unexpected. There was no good precedent to follow.
The legislation and the public policy initiatives frequently found themselves at odds with attitudes. This country was also forced to face, head on, facial equality versus the inequality of application. While there have since been many court decisions decrying the unequal application of what are apparently equal and equitable statutory provisions.
It is well to understand how these battles started in order to help us understand where we are today, and how we must continue to protect the rights of minorities in the face of unjust majorities.
Displaying 1 of 1 review