#15amendment

U.S. president Andrew Johnson failed to uphold the policies of the Reconstruction Era when he vetoed the Freedman’s Bureau and Civil Rights bills. 

Many individuals from the North were left furious and disagreed with his policies. However, Congress passed the Reconstruction Act of 1867. The South had to ratify the 14th amendment and 15th amendment which gave more rights to black people. Blacks would win elections in Southern states and in Congress. 

The Reconstruction Act was very progressive for black people. They were able to obtain more rights in the South. This gave hope to black people because there was never a black politician until now. With one of their own representing them in government they were able to trust the same system that have oppressed them.

If you listen closely, you can hear the hammers beating away in a distant land. The popping of air bubbles, listen. You can hear the potter tussling for more clay as he smoothly yet precisely molds the silhouette before him. Rough and rigid, the hands of the men who is currently mixing the cement while the subbase is being prepared. Look close enough, a couple inches over you can see the brother in the overalls laying the wooden perimeter. Close your eyes, I need you to envision this as clear as possible. You remember those hot summers you spent with your cousins at your grandmothers? Remember your adrenalin bursting as you thought about cannon balling into the luxurious cool tempered pool something would hold you back? The screen door. Iron rounded and a meshed middle. It kept you back before you could take the plunge. Keep that mental picture. Reinforced oppression. Their laws, views, and prejudice served as the rebar. Before the out pouring of cement…You, our people were positioned as the structural integrity used to upkeep the concrete.

In this great America we've seen things that shouldn’t have been, and some have even been the replaceable variable in several social and racial experiments. Imagine being a part of a building project and upon completion you were told your services were no longer needed. After you invested a substantial amount of your time, strength and skill set. The tears pushed by challenging work and humiliation could easily be seen miles away. Compassionate hearts bleed at the thought of such betrayal. It's enough to send the sanest person a bit insane. The four pillars that supported the casting towards the building is the black men and women of the United States.

Undocumented and unscripted, they silenced the roles of our people in the conducting and construction of these four walls we all call home. There was the 13th, 14th and 15th amendment which all were shhhhh plans. Ms. Hill stated it best.

“Legal actors Babylon's benefactors Masquerading as the agency for the clients Hypocritical giants Morally non-compliant Orally armed to do bodily harm Polluted, recruited and suited judicial charm And the defense isn't making any sense Faking the confidence of escaping the consequence That a defendant is depending on the system Totally void of judgment purposely made to twist em' Emotional victim blackmailed by the henchmen Framed by intentions Inventions whereby they lynch men Enter the false witness slandering the accused Planting the seed openly showing he's being used To discredit, edit, headed for the alleged Smearing the individual fearing the unsuspected.”

Damnit! Lives were lost. Black bodies were beaten, and blood had shed for rights like this. Rights owed. Our voices should be heard. We should have a part in the say. Mr. Lyndon B. Johnson, though the mesh well up, thank you for poking the hole needed for our people to push and break through. We shouldn’t be silenced. You don’t work hard to have someone else spending your money, do you? We should always enjoy the fruit of our labor and having a say so is the fruit well deserved.