This from Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s web site, "The Civil War is central to who we are as a nation, and what we will become. This section is dedicated to the ongoing political, social and economic implications the war created for the CURRENT body politic. To understand those implications, we must have a clear view of the two issues that have been central to American history: (1) the relationship between the federal government and the states, and
(2) race.
One way of describing the role race has played in American history is to use the metaphor of an earthquake. The issue of race produced "tremors" from 1619 to 1861, the 1861 to 1865 "Great Earthquake" we refer to as the Civil War and everything from 1865 to the present has been "aftershocks."
Prior to the Civil War, Americans expressed their interests primarily in four political parties.
The Civil War greatly reduced their options to two-the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Democrats and Republicans emerged while debating the question of what to do with the newly-freed slaves.
The radical Republicans argued for greater federal investment in their education, healthcare and housing. This became the precursor of modern economic liberalism.
The conservative Democrats/slaveholders argued that the freed slaves must pick themselves up by their own bootstraps. This was the precursor to modern economic conservatism.
For 140 years all Americans have been traveling essentially this same road, while the two party roles have essentially switched.
Boundaries of the United States
(map created by Ed Stephan)
The preceding graphic and its corresponding dates show how central the issue of race was prior to, during and after the Civil War.
A greater understanding of the American Civil War that continues to be fought on the battlefield of the national conscience is the only way we can truly overcome, and build a nation where no American is left behind-A MORE PERFECT UNION.
I believe with successful closing of the National Fairness Campaign first symposium convened under Dr. Robert Day and leadership provided by General Chairman Joesph Debro that we have set the stage for a investment in millions of American lives through a best practices solution to reform a more perfect union.
The National Fairness Campaign can be implemented by people through their government at all levels and is responsible to the National Fairness Campaign Steering Committee for leadership.
The National Fairness Campaign Steering Committee includes, but is not limited to:
- General Chairman Joesph Debro Co-Founder, National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)
- Co-Chairwoman Pandora Ramsay, Founding President , Ohio Fairness Campaign
- Co-Chairman Fredrick Hargrove, Sr. PE, MBA. former Chairman of Cincinnati Change and current Cincinnati Change Treasurer and Chief Engineer
- Co-Chairman Irvin Henderson, former Chairman, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)
- Convener Dr. Robert Day PhD, President, Center for Urban & Rural Development
- Executive Coordinator, Michael Cole, President, Thouh Communications
- Steering Committee Adviser and Panel Moderator Lawrence Auls, Chairman of MDi, Executive Director LISW, LTD
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