#11 In response to Morgan Willis

How did African Americans maintain their faith when dealing with harsh treatment? How were many African Americans able to resist retaliating and maintain their Christianity? In reading: “As the Lord Lives, He is One of Our Mother’s Children” I often found myself asking that same question.

While Reverend Stevens could have made $1,500, he found it in his heart to cover Stone's back and keep him safe in hiding, until all of the commotion blew over and he could safely escape. This display of kindness and care is expected of a reverend.
I agree that Rev. Stevens’ Christian behavior was to be expected. I also think that it was rather easy for him to act with integrity. In my opinion, most reverends do not go into ministry for the money so I do not think it was that difficult for him to ignore receiving a reward for turning in Jim. However, I do think that it was hard to show bravery and courage to harbor a fugitive when he was responsible for the safety of his son. I think it if he waivered at turning in Jim it would have been to protect his son not out of greed or malicious intent to cause Jim harm. Although I think that Rev. Stevens also thought of the example he would be not only setting for his son, but for the example, he was setting for his flock. How could he send an innocent man to face an unjust punishment and still be able to minister to his congregation?

After all Stevens did for Stone out of the love in his heart, Stone knew he had to save him and his son. Therefore, he works and works to get the tree off the track, with the love and support through prayers from God. In his final moments alive, Stone is one on one with God, praying for help and salvation. Stone then gets struck by the train, taking his life to save the lives of Stevens and Flip. Both men found it in their hearts to sacrifice their safety through God's faith and love to save the other.
I agree the Stone/ Jim wanted to help Rev. Stevens and his son because of the kindness he showed him. In addition, I also think that Jim helped them because that is what he wanted someone to do for him. Jim wanted and needed someone to help him when an angry mob burned his wife and son out of pure hate. Jim showed God’s love by sacrificing himself for someone else. By doing this final act in his life I believe that Jim was forgiving everyone that had wronged him and his family. This final act released any bitterness and unforgivness that he still harbored. He made peace and was able to move on to the next life.

I wonder how people of their time still managed to have faith in God despite all of the turmoil and hard times they faced.
In response to your initial question, I believe many people held onto their faith because they grasped an important Christian concept and belief. They had an eternal mindset. Their focus was not on the natural world of earth, but their focus was on heaven and the next life they would spend with Their Lord and Savior. Like Uncle Tom, in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, they also knew that in order to achieve and keep their salvation they needed to continue to act accordingly to reach heaven. I believe they knew one day they would be reunited with their loved ones in heaven. I also believe that this was a big incentive.

#10 " Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying"

“Get busy living or get busy dying.” That is my favorite movie quote from the movie Shawshank Redemption. I think about this quote often in my everyday life. After reading Chestnutt’s, The Wife of My Youth and Harper’s, Learning to Read, I found myself thinking about this quote once again. I always try to remember how time and opportunity are gifts that God gives people. I found myself thinking about how Chloe and Liza Jane’s quests were different in nature, but were very much alike. During the Civil War many people put their lives on hold. Even though there lives in a sense stood still time kept moving forward. After the war people tried to carry on with there lives, but they had lost precious time. Not only did they lose time in years in age but they lost years of missed opportunities. Many people spent years searching for family members after the war, like Liza Jane. Liza Jane was determined to find her husband Sam. She was so determined that she spent over twenty years looking for him. She never gave up hope that she would be reunited with him one day. Other people like Chloe did not waste any time learning to read once she was granted the opportunity to learn. She had the determination and perseverance to reach her goal despite the discouragement from others. She kept going until she reached her goal. Both ladies were determined and showed strength and perseverance in attaining their dreams. Even though they achieved their goal later in life they achieved their dreams just the same. Chloe’s age did not hinder her desire and passion to learn to read the written word. She was not going to let her age become a roadblock in her learning to read. Liza Jane was not going to let years of disappointment keep her from finding her husband that she loved. Both women kept living and took advantage of the opportunities regardless of circumstances around them. They both held on to hope, because “hope does not disappoint us”.

Post #9 Who can be an American?

During the late 1880’s and through the early 1900’s America faced some tough questions. Do we make the slaves American citizens? Do we give the African Americans the same rights that Anglo Americans are given? How do we handle immigration and citizenship? The nation was divided on key points regarding race and rights. President Andrew Johnson declared “this is a country for white men, and as long as I am President, it shall be a government for white men". He also vetoed the amendment that granted citizenship to all people born in the United States. Fortunately congress later passed the Reconstruction Acts. Unfortunately, southern states enacted "Jim Crow" laws that made it lawful for Black and white American races to be separate. African Americans were not the only race that suffered from discrimination. With many Americans moving west to start a new life Native Americans were further pushed aside by "manifest destiny". With the success of the railroad and the aftermath of the Mexican war, Mexican Americans also struggled to keep their homes, and way of life. After reading the introduction for volume two, I found myself thinking more about present day America than America in late 1800’s. I found that even though times and technology have fast evolved there are still very important questions that keep reoccurring. With modern day immigration and border control a hot button topic during 2011, to me it seems that the questions facing early Americans still face American citizens today. I believe that most Americans in 2011 would agree with the sentiments that Aldrich expressed in his poem, Unguarded Gates, that America is “wide opened and unguarded”. There are many politicians currently wanting to build a wall to protect America’s borders. Today many cultures still struggle with having equal opportunities that faced many cultures previously. Even though the year is 2011, America is still facing the same questions that were posed during reconstruction. Who is an American? And more importantly who can be an American?

Post #8

It is amazing to me how people who lived during the same era, and who considered themselves American, have very different ideas on life in America. After reading all of the stories and writings from volume 1 of the Bedford Anthology, I am finding that conflicting ideas of the American dream were a common occurrence during the nineteenth century. Henry Highland Garnet’s From a Memorial Discourse, and Mary Boykin Miller Chestnut’s A Diary from Dixie April 19-22, 1865 is a clear example of how Americans were divided on the issues of freedom and the American dream. Garnet’s speech is articulate, passionate and makes a powerful argument to congress that there is still work to be done in ensuring the equality of men. He uses the civil war as a way to persuade his audience to continue the cause of freedom. Garnet says, “…the men who endure the sufferings and perils of the battlefield in the defence of their country…”Grant also uses Christian principles, as another way to persuade his audience to continue the cause for freedom. He says, “Let slavery die. It has had a long a fair trial. God himself has pleaded against it. The enlightened nations of the earth have condemned it. Its death warrant is signed by God and man.” Grant’s speech expressed ideas that made sense to many fellow Americans, but not everyone agreed with his views. Chestnut’s writing painted a picture of how many Southerners did not share Grant’s views during this same time period. Chestnut also speaks about the civil war, but in a very different way. Chestnut gives a personal account of how the war has affected her life. She does not comment on the lives that were lost for the cause of slavery and freedom in the war, but instead speaks of the war in the terms of North against the South. “They are perfectly willing to have three killed for our one.” She also comments how Northerners have gotten rich off the war. She also speaks of how her home has been disrupted by the soldiers and neighbors who frequently have to take up residence in her home. She also writes that she hardly sees her husband and even comments how she lacks furniture. Even though Chestnut mostly speaks of current events on a personal level she makes a strong comment about Lincoln’s death. “The death of Lincoln I call a warning to tyrants. He will not be the last President put to death in the capital.” Chestnut and Grant both write about the same period of history, but clearly do not share any common ground. I believe Grant’s speech is much more persuasive than Chestnut’s writing. Grant makes such a strong argument about continuing the cause of equality for all Americans that I believe even Southerners would have to agree on some of the points he brings up in his speech. Chestnut’s comments on life in the South during the war lack emotion and feeling. I do not think slaves or Northerners would be persuaded to empathize with her. People were fighting and dying for freedom, not for comfort or material possessions.