Ashley McCrea Thesis Statement Could it be said that Black people would attain a status of freedom after the end of slavery? Though the thirteenth amendment partially abolished slavery, the same guarantees that were granted to White people were not available for Black people. Amongst many other things, Black people would not come to enjoy the right to freedom fully – in some cases, they still might not. As such, one could not say that this population has actually been allowed to exercise freedom since the end of slavery. The passing of the thirteenth amendment would free Black slaves from the institution of slavery, but it would not grant them a freedom that was equal to white citizens. Not free to vote, to access the same resources and opportunity, or even not free at all, as the prison population can attest, Black people would remain barred from grasping a true freedom even after the abolition of slavery. Title: Freedom for African Americans: What is Free? Questions or Main arguments: What defines freedom? Currently are African Americas free? Who defines freedom? What are the struggled faced by Modern-Day African Americans? What have African Americas faced in the past? How did African Americans adapt to life with their new found freedom? Approach: These questions are important when conducting research because they provide a basis for continuing to dig deeper. In order to calculate and see if African Americas in modern day are free, we must begin my defining what exactly freedom is. This is important because it gives a background that will reinforce ideas and main points later on in the proposal/paper. The second question I listed is, “Currently are African Americans free?”. This question summarizes the main idea and point of research. The last two questions I chose to list under the second portion of this proposal tie in very nicely together. In order to fully answer the research question, we must go back in time and compare how African Americans were being treated in the past versus now. This comparison is great and will further allow me to research and dive deeper into this topic of “What is Free?”. Sources: The first primary source was found online however it is a book. The title is “The story of the Negro Untold”. This book gives great insight on how African Americas were being treated before freedoms were granted to them. This is a great primary source because it can be used either for background information or a solid foundation to develop the main idea. The second primary source is also a book that was found using an online source. The title of the second primary source is “Hold Fast to your Dreams”. In this source, the past life of a young Africa-American boy is being told from a child’s innocent and yet raw and real perspective. The third source chosen and researched for this proposal paper is the secondary source the speech, “General Colin Powell Urges African American Students to Reject Racial Hatred”. In this speech, General Colin Powell delivers a powerful speech about making a change and succeeding regardless of the hands holding you down. This is more recent than the last two sources and would help answer my question. Topic: What Is Free? I. Introduction: Racism and the injustices of African-Americans are topics that are very controversial among the American population. Often so contentious, many Americans avoid these subjects in day-to-day conversation. With the hashtag “#BlackLivesMatter,” Americans and people around the world have brought light to the unjust killings of black people and other issues regarding the black community since then. Famous athletes and artists have expressed their feelings about these issues in recent years. Many arguments have taken place on the topic of race in America throughout history. Many people would argue that racism does not exist, and it is another reason why America is still in the current state it is in. The effects of racism, racial profiling, and misrepresentation can be seen in the black community, contrary to the belief that in America, these issues are no longer prevalent. II. Instances of racial profiling among black people. A. African-American males are often thought of as being criminal predators. B. Significant bias in the killing of unarmed black Americans relative to unarmed white Americans. C. Cultural appropriation. D. Stigma on Black crime III. Opposing view A. Many people argue that racism does not exist. B. Racism is a card that politicians play to win votes. C. Death rates of both white and blacks are equal. IV. Rebuttal of the opposing view A. Considering their population, more black people are dying. B. The media and other races try to downplay or sweep black issues under the rug. C. Racism is not a politician’s issue; it is about how you treat other people and your perceptions of them. V. Conclusion: The oppression of black people cannot be equated to statistics or feelings of another race. History can act as an educative tool for us only if we work together as allies, and learn to coexist as one. The Declaration of Independence grants every American life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. So why haven’t black people been able to achieve what their country is based on without being mistreated and misrepresented? Until America decides to let black issues be valid, things will never change. Would people then understand what is free?
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