William Harper’s Take on Slavery

I am William Harper. I have years of experience as a lawyer, senator, and a member of the House in South Carolina. I am most known for my work promoting slavery. I had a lecture in 1838 that later was added to a published book, Memoir on Slavery. In this, I refer to slavery as “not merely a necessary evil, but a positive social good.” This conveys how slavery is a necessity to keep our South economically successful.

My main idea is the following quote, “slavery anticipates the benefits of civilization, and hinders the evils of civilization." In simplified terms, slavery keeps and builds on what strengthens our country, while simultaneously lessening the negative parts of our society. I highlight how the south has a working balance of prosperous economic status while avoiding the chaotic city atmosphere. We are able to support ourselves, while not becoming overwhelming and overrun by filth and low lives. When observing other countries under just the categories of slave holding and non-slave holding it is clear which of the two is flourishing- slaveholding. Non-slaveholding northern countries are contaminated by overwhelming inequality and political radicalism. Non-slaveholding southern countries are rapidly becoming barbaric. Only us slaveholding countries are progressing.

Slavery is a social good because of it’s social and economic benefits for the country as a whole. The good of our country is imperative to defend. I am famously quoted saying, “Slavery has done more to elevate a degraded race in the scale of humanity; to tame the savage; to civilize the barbarous; to soften the ferocious; to enlighten the ignorant, and to spread the blessings of Christianity among the heathen, than all the missionaries that philanthropy and religion have ever sent forth."

Slavery gives purpose and meaning to those who are not born equal. Slavery creates a needed structure, improving the wellbeing of African Americans. Christianity completely supports this claim. In my work in Memoir on Slavery, I explain how servitude is the natural way of civilization. God commanded, "be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and sub- due it," later adding, "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”. God here is advocating for slavery. Who are we as mere people to say what God, himself, predicates is wrong?

https://delphi.tcl.sc.edu/library/digital/slaveryscc/alumni.html

https://muse.jhu.edu/chapter/767297

8 Values of Free Expression

   Freedom of expression is an imperative part of the American Bill of Rights. The class was provided with the Eight Values of Free Expression, from which the last stood out to me the most. It is titled “Protect Dissent”. The idea comes from Steven Shiffrin’s book, Dissent, Injustice and the Meanings of America. https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691070230/dissent-injustice-and-the-meanings-of-america In this overview, readers can learn that Shiffrin believes dissent is at the heart of the core of freedom of speech. He emphasizes his belief that not only is disagreement with the government a protected act, but it is also our patriotic duty to criticize the government. This is to protect the country from mob rule and tyranny. 

A reason this particular value stood out to me was that during my senior year of high school I took A.P. Gov. In this class one of the most emphasized themes was that of “mob rule”. My class was taught so many different instances where the founding fathers created assurances for mob rule to not acquire power. To see how my last government class carries over to this one is very interesting! Another reason I chose this value was because I also am very strong in my belief of access to equality. I believe all voices need the right and protection of said right to be heard. Shiffrin emphasizes the importance of minority voices being heard, which stuck with me.The Bill of Rights’ purpose is to protect the citizens, and assuring minority voices and opinions can not be silenced is a fantastic way to promote this. 

The importance of freedom of speech is not only exemplified through the protection of minorities in America. This idea has been dated back to Ancient Greek philosophies. Our amendment states that people are free to express any opinion without fear of government censorship, in all communication including speeches, art and social media. https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/freedom-of-speech This means anyone is free to express even nasty and negative opinions. One big conversation being had recently is that of whether the government is not granting citizens these rights on social media.

Social media has been restricting certain users and posts due to political differences. Posts will be labeled as “not credible” and get restricted. Very prominent users of certain platforms will get banned for “promoting hate” or not following “ community guidelines”. America’s 45th President was banned from Twitter for expressing his opinions. This man has millions of supporters and was president, yet his words can be silenced. What does this say for those with even less political power? Does the government now get to pick and choose whose voices get to be heard? 

From my studies, I have personally found freedom of speech to be critical in the functionality of the United States government. I strongly agree with Shiffrin’s opinions on the need for dissent to protect our government. Without challenging and disagreeing with the government, the same politicians will be completely ruling over the country, defeating the entire purpose of our democracy. Losing the voices of the people is the exact opposite of what the founding fathers set our country up for. If our Bill of Rights defends the thoughts and expression of said thoughts for the people, the right must not be violated.

https://fys1000.blogspot.com/p/speech-theories.html

Supreme Court

 

In the video we watched in class, https://youtu.be/cWRoXYRsaeo , I found the statement that the power of the Supreme Court is earned trust resting on public faith to be the most important takeaway. I believe this to be so important because it is integral to understand how much power the government has in order to ensure the protection of individual rights. The following link has more information on the Supreme Court, the justices, and some of the more famous cases they have seen. https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/supreme-court-facts

America’s government is founded upon the voices of its people, therefore, the founding fathers established the judicial system to supervise the laws and lawfulness of actions taken by the other branches of government through interpretation of the constitution. The constitution directly lays out the rights of the citizens to ensure protection for Americans from other Americans and our own government. Americans have faith in the constitution, thus leading to Americans trusting the Supreme Court and their rulings. 

While American faith in the Supreme Court was not surprising to me, I found it very interesting that the Supreme Court can only take cases petitioned to them. The American government is very complicated, and many citizens are not fortunate enough to learn through school and personal studies well enough to understand it. That statement does not even cover the amount of people without enough access to financial resources and lawyers to aid in the processes required to bring a case to the Supreme Court. 

Out of all the cases brought to the Supreme Court, they only accept about 100 a year for full consideration. This statistic is new to me, as I never thought about how many cases the Supreme Court sees, let alone how many cases are brought to the Supreme Court for consideration.

The video deepened my critical thinking on the accessibility to the Supreme Court. We all know the many famous and influential cases they have seen, but what happens to all the lost ones? The video left me wondering about all the people who were falsely accused or could not accurately accuse perpetrators of the law. According to https://www.marketplace.org/2013/03/25/how-much-does-big-supreme-court-case-gay-marriage-cost/ , an average cost for an attorney in Washington D.C. is $100,000 to $250,000 an hour to even get the Supreme Court to consider a case. If the case reaches the Supreme Court prices for the process can be in the millions. This new found perception of the Supreme Court has me slightly disappointed, but also optimistic. I hope in the further development of our country adaptations are made for easier accessibility, despite financial and educational backgrounds.