Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom—and for his wife and daughters. His owner brought Scott and family to Illinois and Wisconsin, where they lived for four years.
The Supreme Court, voting 7-2, said that slaves have no rights as citizens. Slaves are property, citing Roman law and a long line of civilized peoples owning slaves.
The ruling in 1857 deeply polarized the nation and helped to fuel the Civil War three years later.
…
White supremacists have a range of views. No one advocates openly for slavery. But the idea that the “Nordic” [white] race is superior follows the logic of the ill-fated Dred Scott decision— blacks are not equal to whites. Then-- and today-- everyone must make a stark, yes-or-no judgment: Accept or reject the idea of human equality.
No comments:
Post a Comment