Like the reading says when most think about governmental power, they think of the presidency. Since we are not under a monarchy anymore, all of the power does not come from the president. Like for example federalism, mayors don’t have all the power of a state. In return they came up with a national assembly, The Legislative Branch, that essentially makes choices at a national level, that would be fit for the nation when something happens. They are in charge of any serious decision that involves the United States citizens. For example, they have the power to declare war. The Legislative Branch is also made up of the House, the Senate, or better known as the Congress.

I believe that Civil Rights and Civil Liberty come to hand and hand with each other. People mistakenly sometimes think that they are the same thing but they are two different concepts but both are protected by the Constitution. First Civil Rights guarantees that government officials will treat E V E R Y O N E with respect and dignity no matter race, gender, and other personal identification. Segregation for example would be going against our civil rights. Even the abuse you see daily from police officers is a violation of our civil rights. Civil Liberties are simply limitations on government power. For example, freedom of speech is civil liberty. The government can not limit what we say because free speech is our natural born right. But both civil rights and liberties are violated almost every day. That’s the sad part.

Reading chapter three which was about Federalism kind’ve confused me a little. For starters from what I’ve learned, Federalism is a type of republican government that gives the overarching united government powers over and above each and every individual state. For example, we have mayors and congresses and their bosses would-be president and the senate. What confuses me and even opens my eyes a little is me learning that people in high power like mayors aren’t really in higher powers. They are essentially put in that position to hear a closer view of the people in the communities they serve. They essentially check and balance each other and come together as a whole, like a sports team. They still need to get the say-so for certain things. What intrigued me even more was reading that when I think of a certain state and a certain thought and imagery about it comes to mind, it is because of American Federalism. Even to relate it to now, some states agree to have a mandate to wear a mask while other states don’t.

If you guys aren’t aware, SYEP is now accepting applications for summer 2021 up until April.23,2021. SYEP – ” Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experiences each summer.” If you are older than 21, ” SYEP also provides support to NYC young people between the ages of 22 and 24 who are eligible for specialized opportunities in the program. Young adults aged 22-24 who face employment barriers or reside in a NYCHA development may be eligible.”

Apply Here: https://application.nycsyep.com/ ( just copy and paste link into browser)

This link explains into more detail what SYEP is and their benefits. Do not miss out on this opportunity!!!

When it comes to Civil Rights, after reading Chapter 5 I have realized that the only group of people who never really experienced inequality or discrimination is WHITE straight men. Every other Race, Sexuality, and Gender experienced inequality and/or discrimination. Chapter 5 literally talks about “ The African American Struggle for Equality”, “ The Fight for Women’s Rights”, and  “Civil Rights for Indigenous Groups: Native Americans, Alaskans, and Hawaiians.”

Learning about America’s History is just sad If you really think about it. Imagine living in a world where your gender or the color of your skin deems you less than the white man. Learning America’s past and all the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties people had to fight for, you would think it’s a joke.

In America, before 1776 Slavery was legal in all 13 colonies. Combined these colonies consisted of at least 500,000 slaves. Slavery which lasted for 400 years consisted of repetitive tasks such as picking cotton for long periods of time which could have lasted up to 12 hours. About 200 years later, on April 8, 1864, the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery was ratified. Following was the 14th Amendment which promised black people citizenship, civil rights, and equal protection of laws. Even though these amendments were passed segregation, lynching, and many other injustices still happened in America. The White American people felt that their superiority and power were being threatened by freed Black people. Of course during the time if you asked someone what is the reason for lynching they would give you a whole bunch of different answers just to hide the truth.

This Meme is a prime example of what lynching looked like. A black freedman whose life was guaranteed protection of The law and equality ended early at the hands of White men. The worst part of it all is that the people surrounding a dead body hanging from a tree have smiles on their faces. There is no sign of remorse at all. In the 19th century, there were many justifications for Lynching’s and Injustices Black people faced. For example, in 1955 Emmett Till a 14-year-old boy was brutally murdered because he was falsely accused of flirting with a white woman. As stated in an article posted by History.com …“ the white woman’s husband and her brother—made Emmett carry a 75-pound cotton-gin fan to the bank of the Tallahatchie River and ordered him to take off his clothes. The two men then beat him nearly to death, gouged out his eye, shot him in the head, and then threw his body, tied to the cotton-gin fan with barbed wire, into the river.’’ Even though black people were promised the basic liberties of human rights any chance given those liberties was taken away. In Emmett Till’s case, the justification for murdering him was “ flirting ’’. Imagine living in a world where a 14-year-old dies because of flirting. False Accusations like this are one of the many reasons why Black Men get a bad reputation. Situations like this still affect today’s America. Brent Staples a journalist wrote an essay called “ Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space ” Staples explain how he experienced that his mere presence of being a Black Man frightens people. “ Over the years, I learned to smother the rage I felt at so often being taken for a criminal…. I now take precautions to make myself less threatening. I move about with care, particularly late in the evening.”  This quote supports my claim that since the American Government was built on the inequality of people, everyone to this day is affected by it, especially Black Men.

                                                                  Citation 

Feb. 9, 2010, Emmett Till Article https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-death-of-emmett-till

Brent Staples, “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space” https://www.ohlone.edu/sites/default/files/documents/imported/justwalkonbyblackmenandpublicspace.pdf

If you have not seen or heard of the “ Central Park 5 ” case, the miniseries on Netflix called “ When They See Us ” is a great documentary to watch!!! The case is about 5 kids  Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Antron McCray, and Yusef Salaam, who ranged from the ages of 14-16. These kids were wrongfully convicted and underwent Civil Liberties and Civil Rights violations. The documentary is a correct representation of the case and every person who resides in The U.S should know this case. I must give warning, the documentary will have you angry, sad and 100% crying.

Link For Documentary below: