Introduction
Over the years, American politics have been revolving and re-shaped. The re-shapes can be attributed to contributions of different occurrences, the influence of certain individuals, and the impact of particular movements. Some of the factors have had negative influences on the current political outlook in the country while others have positively contributed to better politics. This paper analyzes the extent to which figures such as Joan Little and other movements have reshaped politics to a better outlook.
Contribution of Joan Little
Joan Little was a young woman of African descent. In her earlier days, she had multiple court cases due to allegations such as possessing stolen goods. At some point, she was jailed. While serving her sentence, she killed a fellow jailer, Alligood. In her claims, Alligood was attempting to rape her. This came after he lured her with goodies a few days before the occurrence. Joan then ran away from prison due to fear of what would befall her. The judicial proceedings that took place after her action significantly impacted the reshaping of American politics for the better.
The trial of Joan Little attracted debate from the judicial and civil rights movement in America. While some felt that she ought to have been released since she acted in self-defense, others were convinced that she seduced the man leading to the attempted rape. Notably, most of the reactions from Americans were driven by the fact that she was a colored American, and thus did not deserve as much justice as a native American would have. Native Americans, at the time, were dominated y stereotypes regarding African women. Thus, even after the medical examiners provided proof that Alligood attempted rape on her, they still found reasons to blame her for it.
Other African American women such as Viola Liuzzo also showed the criticism and misfortunes that followed African American women before they attained their freedom as American citizens. The harsh treatment meted on the women steered the rise of activist groups that fought for the democratic rights of such women. By attaining their freedom, the women would actively engage in the country’s politics without fear of discrimination or harsh treatment.
Joan’s scenario steered the rise of several civil rights movements, campaigns, and protests whose impact was not only felt during her trial but whose impact helped in reshaping American politics for to better. Among the civil rights campaigns is;
The Free Joan Little Campaign
The Free Joan Little campaigns were led by women activists. The activists were backed up by other organizations that advocated for equal treatment of the whites and Blacks. The participants used their resources to communicate their agendas to the juries involved in Joan’s case. The campaign bore a powerful coalition of feminists and women’s liberation organizations. Together, the groups strongly condemned sexual violence.
In their opinion, the coalition perceived Joan’s case as an example of police brutality and southern injustice. The intervention of the coalition made Joan’s case the first in which an African woman managed to defend herself against sexual assault from white men. Those who formed part f the coalition did not rest after Joan’s trial but continued championing the rights of women and fighting racial discrimination. The efforts were reflected in the inclusion of women into American politics as well as the abolishment of injustice measures meted out against African-American women. Joan herself later became the first African-American woman to attain a degree in Law from an American institution.
The Free Joan Little Campaign among other civil rights movements and women movements played a significant role in helping free African Americans at large and women from the sexual and racial codes that had been prevalent in the legal and social aspects of the US. Besides, the movements helped expose violent practices and police brutality which were as well dominant in society. The exposure and condemnation of such vices contributed to the general welfare of all citizens living in the US regardless of their race or gender.
Contribution of Martin Luther
Martin Luther King in conjunction with the SCLC led the nation in the struggle to revive the spirit of the beloved community. Besides, the duo was struggling to bridge the problems in racial and economic injustices. They managed to win over the support of the old civil rights coalition. Workers, who were the greatest victims of the injustices, were also part of this movement and they strongly asserted their personhood. During the protests, the workers insisted that they deserved dignity and respect. They also carried with them signs that declared they were men.
Martin Luther had also been at the forefront of calling out segregationists. He did this by participating in and leading campaigns of people who were also against segregation. The segregationists, in response to Luther and his followers, used sexual McCarthyism to defame the demonstrators and delay the new legislations that had also been sent to congress, especially the one that would grant African Americans the right to vote. Sex was then being used as a tool for maintaining white supremacy. However, Luther’s efforts changed the situation.
Although Martin Luther did not live long to keep such campaigns ongoing, the impacts of the achievements he recorded while alive can be traced to the current day American politics. He championed for inclusivity of people of all races and economic agenda in the political arena, and the ideas live up to date.
Contribution of Abolishment of Legal Barriers for African-Americans
Before 1967, African American women’s bodily integrity and respectability were at stake. This was attributed to the legal barrier that banned African American women from interracial marriages. In 1967, the Supreme Court overturned the ban during the ruling of the Loving and Virginia case. Before this law was abolished, the White man used African Women as their tools.
Besides, the court assumed that intermarrying would deny the White men exclusive rights to marry white women. This move granted the white men economic, political, and social power to take advantage of the African American women. Such advantages were brought to a halt after the court abolished the rule, thus assigning equal political and economic rights to people of all races and gender.
Contribution of Finch and Duke
Cannon, an American man raped an African American girl. When presented before the court of law on allegations of rape, he confidently argued that he drove the girl out of town and had sex with her willingly. His description of the girl was so disgusting that the court reporter refused to proceed with her duties, and so did the other jury. Cannon’s narration of the occurrence was plausible to convince the white population that African-American women were sexually promiscuous.
However, the situation was saved by Dukes and Finch who quickly trashed the argument. The two, a county prosecutor and a district attorney respectively created a different impression of African-American women. Their defense for them changed the perception of how the whites viewed African-Americans and granted them a chance to redeem their rights. Politically, their move influenced the laws and rules made to govern their terms of living in the US.
Contribution of Michelle Obama
In history, reputable figures and the majority of American men did not perceive African American women as ladies. Consequently, they would mistreat them at every opportunity. Several women mentioned in the epilogue such as Recy Taylor had faced rape and other forms of mistreatment due to their racial affiliation. However, this perception was changed when Michelle Obama took over as America’s first African American first lady. The position she took served as evidence that the struggles the African American women had been facing over the years were slowly coming to an end.
In her words, Michelle believed that ending the struggles that African-American women would dig out pride and uncover the shame associated with racial discrimination. In so doing, the victims would be more comfortable in their color and also help them embrace their beauty and nature. Out of her sentiments and achievements, more women were encouraged and gained confidence in engaging in politics and taking bigger roles that were previously perceived as men’s roles. The inclusion of such women in politics enhanced equality and inclusion in national politics.
How the Fall of Wisconsin Contributed to Re-shaping American Politics
Residents were granted rights to vote for or against the enactment of Act 10. Despite the Act being passed as they initially wanted, the workers were still angry and unsatisfied. The unsatisfaction and anger resulted in protests around town. According to protestors, the state they were living in was rich but the wages were low. Besides, they speculated that the public employees were getting more salaries and that wealth was unevenly distributed, thus leaving some workers frustrated by the little amount of money they were getting as their pay. According to Cramer, some administrators thought that the protestors were unruly and were destroying the face of the town. At this point, Cramer questioned the existence of democracy which would help the ordinary people act in response to the complaints. The protests led to a massive political shift where most of them voted for Donald Trump as president and they hoped he would look into their problems.
In his book, Kaufman implores some of Wisconsin’s progressive efforts such as establishing the first workman’s compensation strategy, offering unemployment insurance programs, and placing a moral obligation on the University of Wisconsin which aimed at improving the lives of the residents of the state. The initiatives would influence some political ideologies and figures within the state.
Conclusion
America’s political outlook has been continually re-shaped by different factors. Among them is the contribution of individuals such as Joan Little. Joan Little’s trial attracted attention from civil rights activists and other women’s movements. Through the combined efforts of the groups, the extent of racial discrimination and mistreatment of African-American women was reduced. The fall of Wisconsin has as well re-shaped the American politics through ways such as allowing voting for different Acts, thus involving mass participation in passing such laws.
References
Kaufman, D. (2018). The fall of Wisconsin: The conservative conquest of a progressive bastion and the future of American politics.
McGuire, D. L. (2011). At the dark end of the street: Black women, rape, and resistance- a new history of the civil rights movement from Rosa Parks to the rise of Black power. Vintage.
write