the first African American member of the senate and the African American of HOR

 Hiram Revels was the first African American to serve in the United States Senate, as well as a Methodist minister and educator. He was born on September 27 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to free parents of mixed African and Native American ancestry. In his youth, Hiram moved to Lincolnton, where he later worked as a barber. In 1844, he attended a Quaker seminary, receiving some formal education. In his later years, he completed his studies at Knox College in Illinois. During the Civil War, he served as a chaplain in the Union Army and helped organize Black regiments for military service. After the war, Revels became involved in politics, establishing a school for freedmen and continuing to support Black recruitment for federal service. In 1868, he was appointed by a military commander to serve on the Natchez City Council, an appointment that marked a turning point for Black political participation. He later secured the local Republican nomination and was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1869, representing the Natchez District. Revels served in the U.S. Senate from February 1870 to March 1871, during which he advocated for desegregation in public education and increased political rights for African Americans, particularly in Georgia. Following the conclusion of his term, he became the first president of Alcorn University, a historically Black college in northern Mississippi. Even in his later years, Revels remained committed to public service, briefly holding the office of Secretary of State in Mississippi while continuing to lead Alcorn University.

The first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives was Joseph Hayne Rainey, who was born enslaved in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1832. His father, a skilled barber, eventually earned enough to purchase freedom for himself and his family, enabling them to relocate to Charleston by 1846. There, Joseph learned the barbering trade and began building a life as a free Black man in the deeply segregated South. However, his freedom was interrupted during the Civil War, when he was exploited for forced labor by the Confederacy. In 1862, he and his wife escaped to Bermuda, where he lived in relative safety, worked, and furthered his education. When he returned to South Carolina in 1866, Rainey became actively involved in Reconstruction-era politics. He was elected to the South Carolina State Senate in 1868, and just two years later, in 1870, he made history by becoming the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rainey served five terms in Congress, where he became known for his strong advocacy for civil rights, equal education, voting protections, and his outspoken opposition to racial violence and the Ku Klux Klan. His legacy stands as a powerful symbol of Black political progress during one of the most transformative periods in American history. 

(used AI to help edit grammar mistakes and to polish up my writing to make it more understandable, did not use AI to write this post) 

Harris, William C. “Revels, Hiram Rhoades.” NCpedia, State Library of North Carolina, 1994, https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/revels-hiram-rhoades.

Logan, Frenise A. “Rainey, Joseph Hayne (1832–1887).” South Carolina Encyclopedia, University of South Carolina, 17 Aug. 2016, https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/rainey-joseph-hayne/.

reconstruction movie

  The reconstruction period followed the Civil War, and it was a complex 

Anti- slavery or for slavery in the Bible?

 

In American history, slavery was primarily race-based and dehumanizing. African Americans were forced into lifelong bondage and treated brutally by their slave masters. However, slavery in biblical times operated under different cultural and economic systems. It was often rooted in debt repayment, military captivity, or survival from poverty. In this article, I explore two key perspectives on slavery in the Bible — one that views it as a functional institution and one that interprets scripture as opposing it.

AI Summaries- Biblical Slavery as a Regulated Institution  

Some scholars suggest that biblical slavery was not the same as American slavery. Instead, it functioned as a form of socioeconomic support in ancient cultures. People could enter servitude to pay off debts, survive famine, or provide labor in households. Unlike race-based chattel slavery in the United States, biblical slavery had time limits, legal protections, and a framework for humane treatment.

For example, Deuteronomy 15:12–18 outlines how Hebrew servants were to be freed after six years, and that masters were obligated to provide them with resources upon release. This passage emphasized reintegration into the community and fair treatment. Exodus 21:2–11 further detailed servant rights, including provisions for family members and protections from abuse.

A.I. research supports this interpretation, stating: “Biblical slavery operated within the complex socioeconomic framework of ancient Near Eastern societies… where bonded labor served essential functions.” This framing suggests that biblical servitude was often a temporary and regulated system meant to maintain social and economic stability.

Biblical Teachings That Oppose Slavery

Despite the existence of slavery in biblical times, both the Old and New Testaments contain passages that challenge the morality of owning another human being. In the Old Testament, Exodus 21:16 condemns kidnapping and selling individuals into slavery as a crime punishable by death. Additionally, Exodus 21:26–27 declares that if a master harms a servant, the servant must be set free. These verses emphasize dignity, accountability, and justice.

In the New Testament, spiritual equality is central. Galatians 3:28 famously states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he encourages a slave owner to receive his servant “no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother.” 1 Corinthians 7:22 reminds readers that those in bondage are spiritually free through God. These teachings undermined slavery’s social acceptance and inspired Christian abolitionists centuries later.

Discussion and Conclusion

With the source from AI, the Bible presents a complex picture. On one hand, it acknowledges slavery as a part of ancient life, with rules to regulate it. On the other hand, it champions moral values like compassion, justice, and equality.

Those in favor of biblical slavery argue that it was economically motivated, not racially enforced. Servants had rights, and servitude provided a social structure in times of crisis. Key supporting passages include Deuteronomy 15:12–18 and Exodus 21:2–11.

Opponents highlight that the Bible condemns forced slavery and emphasizes the spiritual equality of all people. Verses such as Exodus 21:16, Galatians 3:28, and 1 Corinthians 7:22 reinforce the belief that all humans are made in God’s image and deserve dignity.

In conclusion, while the Bible does not outright ban slavery, it provides moral boundaries and promotes the principle that all humans are equal before God. This historical comparison challenges readers to think deeply about how faith, ethics, and justice were intertwined in both ancient and modern societies.

role-play of Eunice Davis

My name is Eunice Davis. I was born a free woman, but my freedom brings me no peace while my brothers and sisters remain in chains. I speak today not for applause, but because I am called by duty, by justice, and by God. As a member of the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society, I raise my voice not as a partisan but as a Christian woman who cannot remain silent in the face of oppression. I speak because the truth must be louder than cruelty. 

Slavery is not just a political issue—it is a sin. It violates every moral and spiritual law. It is no less evil than murder or theft. It is the violent robbery of a man’s labor, his freedom, his family, and his soul. In a nation that calls itself enlightened and free, this evil is not only tolerated—it is defended. America claims to be the land of liberty, yet it sells human beings as though they were beasts of burden. It sings of justice while practicing cruelty. 

I have heard the excuses of those who defend this system, claiming that enslaved people are cared for, or that they are somehow better off in bondage. These lies are a disgrace. They insult human reason and decency. No man is made better by chains. No woman is protected by the lash. No child is rescued by being torn from their mother’s arms. 

I know the power of truth and righteousness. And because of that, I will not stop. I will speak. I will write. I will stand up—in every meeting, every hall, every street—until this evil ends. Slavery must be abolished—completely, immediately, and without compromise. 

We cannot pretend to be united with those who uphold slavery. There can be no peace with injustice, no compromise with cruelty, and no rest until the last yoke is broken. I would rather suffer for what is right than be silent when faced with such sin. Let those who hear me understand: the cause of the enslaved is the cause of this nation’s soul. Until America acts upon that truth, we remain a nation under judgment.

Source Acknowledgment:
Claude Ai

GWTW

  After watching the first half of Gone with the Wind, I could feel the emotional intensity coming alive in the movie. What stood out to me most was the flaws and complexity of the female characters, such as Scarlett O'Hara, the main female lead who embodies the characteristics of manipulation, power, selfishness, and control, which are typically condemned. Most importantly, she is not intrigued by being the "proper lady" society expects her to portray; instead, she is determined to pursue her desires unapologetically, regardless of social norms. She is a lady who seeks to find independence in a world that tries to suppress women's aspirations, only to conform to what society expects. We have seen many women in war stepping outside traditional roles and proving their strengths, like in WWII, an iconic poster of a woman in a Red Bandana saying the words "We Can Do It" has become a powerful symbol of women's empowerment. As men had to fight in the war, numerous women took control of the workforce, engaging in manual labor, which allowed them to shed their silence and become more independent. 

Mammy, who is played by Hattie McDaniel, is a black woman who works for the O'Hara family. Even within the constraints of being an enslaved woman, she is constantly seen as a woman who commands respect in the household. A person who is a slave will rarely have the behavior that you saw in Mammy's character; this aspect sheds new light on what we never see during the time of slavery. She has a voice that enables her to speak the truth and call out redundant behavior that others may not. As she says, "actin' like po' white trash," while talking to Scarlett, insinuates that Mammy is the one in control of everything in the household and was never just a mere slave to the O'Hara's. What makes her more intriguing is the way she never holds back her tongue to spare people what they do not want to hear. 

From what I understand, Rhett Butler profited off the war instead of joining it. I think some people might see that as selfish, but others might say he was just being smart and realistic. He didn’t believe in the war and didn’t want to waste his life on something he thought would fail. His choice might seem strange, but honestly, I don’t think it’s that unusual. Even today, some people find ways to make a profit during wars by selling weapons, supplies, or doing business with the military. It doesn’t mean it’s always right, but it shows that in hard times, some people focus on survival or profit instead of fighting. I think it depends on the person and their values.

History of the Supreme court

The Supreme Court is the highest in the United States and plays a critical role in interpreting the Constitution and shaping the nation’s laws. Its power to declare laws unconstitutional began with the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, led by Chief Justice John Marshall. This case established the Court as a powerful branch of government, capable of checking the other branches and ensuring that laws follow the Constitution.

One of the most infamous decisions made by the Court was in Dred Scott v. Sandford. In this 1857 ruling, the Court decided that Congress did not have the power to ban slavery and declared that black people could not be citizens. This decision deeply damaged the Court’s reputation and was later overturned after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, important changes came through the 14th Amendment. This amendment abolished slavery and granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all people born or naturalized in the United States. It is often called a “Second Bill of Rights” because it protects people from abuses by state governments.

The justices on the Supreme Court have different judicial philosophies. Some believe the Constitution’s meaning remains the same as it was in 1787, while others believe its interpretation should evolve over time, especially as new amendments are added.

Each year, the Court receives about 7,000 cases but accepts only around 100 for review. Justices hear oral arguments, where lawyers have 30 minutes to present their cases. The justices discuss the cases in private conferences and then vote. One justice writes the majority opinion, while others may write concurring or dissenting opinions.