Ricks And Adam Goodheart: Article Analysis

It is difficult to empathize with a person if you have not experienced a single day in their lives. For example, how could a white person possibly say they understand what it is like to be black? However, that does not mean they cannot sympathize with that person and feel a sense of compassion for them. I feel like many people who were pro slavery lacked this term, which resulted in hatred and racism toward a group of people. The articles written by Mary Kay Ricks and Adam Goodheart portray a period where African Americans were inferior to whites. Goodheart’s article took place in 1865 almost two decades after Rick’s article, but there was still no prospering future for African Americans. The African American community longed for the freedom …show more content…
Everyone was aware that slavery was gradually becoming illegal and it would not take long until Washington, D.C., enforced those laws. As a result many slaves were sold to slave traders so many of the passengers knew if they did not attempt to escape they would eventually be sold in the Lower South. Their plan was to board the schooner at that time called The Pearl to sail to freedom in New Jersey. However, this represented more than just an escape for freedom it was a political statement. I think it was a wakeup call to show the world that slavery in Washington, D.C., still existed. Congress passed legislation in 1790, to cut land from Maryland and Virginia, both slave states, to from the District of Columbia, it provided that the laws from both would carry over into the new federal enclave (Rick 2). Basically, the capital was under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, which created a lot of controversy. Pro slave owners fought not to abolish slavery because they felt like it was vital to their society. Their mindset was planted on the idea that the Founding Fathers decided to guarantee slavery in the constitution. Today, in America many people cite the Bill of Rights when they fear they are not being granted their rights as a citizen. During these periods these people were only demanding their rights …show more content…
This was the last strike since all they had to live for was their families. Anyone with a sense of sympathy would know that separating loves ones apart can cause a tremendous amount of grief, and despite this slave owners chose to profit from them instead. What is even more disturbing is the hypocrisy of the Capitol as Goodheart mentions. According to his article, enslaved laborers toiled at the expansion of the Capitol. Yet, it was built under the impression that it would represent freedom. In the article it states, “Black men and women were frequently advertised for sale in the newspapers, and occasionally even sent to the auction block just a few hundred yards from the White House” (Goodheart 2). This took place years after The Pearl escape failed although many saw the reality of what was happening. After all that sacrifice very little changed during the years. Slaves were still being sold across the river, and families were still suffering as they tried to unite with their loved ones. Lincoln being elected for president represented hope for the African American community as he re-introduced bill to completely abolish slavery in the District of Columbia as he once promised as a Congressman almost a decade ago. African Americans were not freed until 1865 when the thirteen amendments was ratified although many argue it was