Image: 'No Slavery Vector Illustration'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33678919@N07/6466694643
As I began reading the second chapter of Rodger Streitmatter’s Mightier Than The Sword, I was instantly intrigued. The second chapter of Streitmatter’s book focuses on the movement against slavery through journalism. I can’t even remember the last time I learned about slavery in America. Before I read this chapter, when I thought of slavery, I thought of Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad. I never knew about these journalists who devoted their lives to ending slavery. Slavery is an extremely significant part of our history and if the journalistic campaign opposing slavery never happened, our world would not be the same today. Journalism brought society the awareness it needed to end slavery.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABLAKE10.JPG
By Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) and either William Hackwood or Henry Webber; "Josiah Wedgewood...produced the emblem as a jasper-ware cameo at his pottery factory. Although the artist who designed and engraved the seal is unknown, the design for the cameo is attributed to William Hackwood or to Henry Webber, who were both modelers at the Wedgewood factory." (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2h67.html PBS]) (British Abolition Movement) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Streitmatter introduces this topic by discussing journalistic martyr, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. Lovejoy was a dedicated and motivated journalist. Lovejoy devoted himself to his journalistic campaign opposing slavery. He was driven by a strong desire to change the injustices of society. He did this through journalism. He created four different printing presses and each one was destroyed by pro-slavery forces. Along with his antislavery movement, he began a campaign towards freedom of expression. He dedicated himself and his work to his movements. When his fourth press was destroyed, Lovejoy was killed. An angry pro-slavery mob of people set fire to the warehouse where he stored his press. When Lovejoy tried to stop them, he was shot. His death greatly affected the abolition movement. His death changed people’s views on slavery and they began supporting the movement against slavery. His death showed people that African Americans weren’t the only people who were being denied of their rights, but all citizens of America. Thousands of people who didn’t care about this issue earlier, formed local antislavery societies once they realized their own civil liberties were at risk. Lovejoy’s death was an extremely important part of the abolition movement.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10159247@N04/4694938786
William Lloyd Garrison also used journalism to end slavery. He was the most influential abolitionist editor. Garrison created The Liberator which he used to spread his antislavery campaign. He told the harsh truth in his newspaper. He stood up against pro-slavery newspapers and tried his best to put them in their place. He made sure his voice was heard. Garrison, like Lovejoy, was devoted to this movement. He continued to fight for his beliefs and didn’t let anything stop him, not even a mob of 100 men. He went to extreme lengths to get through to the public, he even set fire to the Constitution during a Fourth of July celebration. Garrison was no longer one of the only voices against slavery by the 1850s. Established newspapers started to join in on the movement along with Garrison. Finally, all of Garrison’s and other journalists’ hard work paid off in December of 1865 when the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery. Slaves and African Americans expressed their greatest gratitude to Garrison for what he did for them. Garrison played a leading role in abolishing slavery. His battle against slavery changed this world.
Image: 'I LOVE BILL................'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29528454@N04/3431670016
Because of Garrison, African Americans were able to find their voices in journalism. The first black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was founded and eventually Frederick Douglass established the country’s first black abolitionist newspapers. A steady African American press was established and it became an important source of racial pride as well as a key factor in the abolition movement.
Lovejoy and Garrison’s antislavery newspapers brought awareness to the nation. They showed America that they were not going to allow society to continue to treat their citizens wrongly. Citizens saw the importance of civil liberties and began to fight for their rights. They demonstrated the strengths of journalism and how it can lead any battle.
Check out this video about Frederick Douglass
http://youtu.be/ALXPUYWFbGI
This video gives a brief overview of Douglass' impact on the abolition movement and helps the viewer gain a visual understanding of what was happening at this time.
I really enjoyed Streitmatter’s chapter on abolition. We owe it to these journalists who devoted all their blood, sweat, and tears to making the wrong in society, right. These journalists not only fought against slavery, but for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. These freedoms are extremely important. If these journalists never began their antislavery movements, we would most likely be looking at a different world. This chapter is solid proof of how effective journalism is on society. I chose this chapter over the other three because I find the fight against slavery incredibly interesting. I read things in this chapter that I had no clue existed. This chapter made me appreciate journalism so much more than I already do. Journalism is an extremely powerful force and with the help of society, it can accomplish great things.
Streitmatter, Rodger. Mightier than the Sword: How the News Media Have Shaped American History. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2008. Print.
While reading this chapter about the abolition of slavery, I realized something. I realized that as human beings, we have the tendency of being stubborn. When we feel strongly about something, we don't let anything change our feelings. For instance, the pro-slavery group strongly supported slavery and no matter what negative things were said about it, they kept their opinion. This also happened with the antislavery group. This is why the fight against slavery was so long and difficult. Everyone had the views that slavery fell into one of two categories: right or wrong. When we hold strong views and close out other views, there is no room for understanding. In order to find the solution to a problem, everyone must reach an understanding or a middle ground. If we keep pointing fingers at each other, nothing is going to change. Even though slavery is absolutely horrible, it is not done for no reason. There is a reason why everyone does what they do. We are all humans. Nobody is born with hate. Our experiences as humans determine our behavior. Behind every human being is a story. Once we realize that everyone is human and that we all have feelings that are worth understanding, this world will see significant change.
Check out this timeline of slavery in America:
Slavery and the Making of America Timeline
Today's Slavery...
Today slavery still exists. Each day, young women are being sold into sex slavery. These women are being denied their rights, just as the African Americans were in the 19th century.
Streitmatter, Rodger. Mightier than the Sword: How the News Media Have Shaped American History. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2008. Print.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ANo-slavery.jpg
By ПОКА ТУТ (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
No slavery! Freedom. Liberty.
While reading this chapter about the abolition of slavery, I realized something. I realized that as human beings, we have the tendency of being stubborn. When we feel strongly about something, we don't let anything change our feelings. For instance, the pro-slavery group strongly supported slavery and no matter what negative things were said about it, they kept their opinion. This also happened with the antislavery group. This is why the fight against slavery was so long and difficult. Everyone had the views that slavery fell into one of two categories: right or wrong. When we hold strong views and close out other views, there is no room for understanding. In order to find the solution to a problem, everyone must reach an understanding or a middle ground. If we keep pointing fingers at each other, nothing is going to change. Even though slavery is absolutely horrible, it is not done for no reason. There is a reason why everyone does what they do. We are all humans. Nobody is born with hate. Our experiences as humans determine our behavior. Behind every human being is a story. Once we realize that everyone is human and that we all have feelings that are worth understanding, this world will see significant change.
We are all human and we all have rights!
Slavery and the Making of America Timeline
Today's Slavery...
Today slavery still exists. Each day, young women are being sold into sex slavery. These women are being denied their rights, just as the African Americans were in the 19th century.
http://youtu.be/c8wLmEL0XDE
by love146europe
I like this video because this organization gives a quick, as well as engaging background on modern day slavery. At the end of the video, they show exactly how you can become part of the fight. All you have to do is spread the word: tweet, share, mail, blog, and text! Spreading the word will help this movement. You have the ability to be someone's voice who cannot be heard!
Check out this blog about modern day slavery: Free the Slaves BLOG
Check out this organization Love146 and their fight to end sex slavery: Love146
I like this video because this organization gives a quick, as well as engaging background on modern day slavery. At the end of the video, they show exactly how you can become part of the fight. All you have to do is spread the word: tweet, share, mail, blog, and text! Spreading the word will help this movement. You have the ability to be someone's voice who cannot be heard!
Check out this blog about modern day slavery: Free the Slaves BLOG
Check out this organization Love146 and their fight to end sex slavery: Love146
Become Part of the movement to end modern day slavery:
