Factors that Instigated John Brown’s Aggression
Brown was aggressive in fighting for human rights since he had extreme ideology of the superiority of the black race. His philosophies made him clash with the civil rights movement which was aiming for integration while he wanted the black and white communities separated. He held the belief that racism is a despicable act that continues to adversely affect society. It is a matter that can no longer be hidden and people cannot pretend that it does not exist. He had a profound effect on his mostly African American audience, who could relate well with the issues he was talking about. The black community had grown tired of having to wait for justice, respect, equality and freedom (Deen, 2019). Many of them felt that he did a better job of voicing their complaints than that of the civil rights movement. It is easy to see why he resorted to force since it is the only way his concerns could be heard. More than influence people’s religious beliefs, Brown influenced their attitudes concerning the injustices they faced as African Americans and more people applied his teachings in their fight for freedom.
Another factor that instigated Brown is the bitterness of slavery and historical injustice’s faced by African Americans. Before the Civil War and the dawn of independence in the US, slavery existed where millions of blacks were forced to work in servitude for their white masters. After their freedom was announced, people in the south still felt the need to limit their rights and dissociate from them leading to the passing of different laws know as black codes that segregated the two parties (Deen, 2019) . The same people responsible for slavery also executed the different segregation laws. Blacks were seen as having been from a primitive and inferior culture. As immigrants, they still held the lowest position on the social and economic ladder. Their color became a justification for discrimination and was used to identify them as lowly. Brown used force to opposite this discrimination.
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Due to slavery, blacks were denied certain jobs and free movement in areas deemed as white zones. In buses and on the railway system, they were allotted different seats. In restaurants and hospitals and other service areas, they were expected to be on their own and receive help from their own. They were also responsible for their own entertainment and in some cases, denied the right to vote based on technicalities such as their illiteracy. Even separate schools were established mostly in the south. The army kept separate units and blacks were not allowed to shake the hands of whites. The laws known as the Jim Crow laws came to establish a hierarchy that was enforced even in its extreme through violence . Brown saw force as the only way to counter the injustices and force they forced.
Thoughts on Brown
The actions of John Brown make him a freedom fighter. He performed the actions to usher in a precedence of justice in society. A society that lacks justice cannot develop because the boundary is drawn between the superior and the inferior categories of individuals in terms of political influence. In situations where justice is required to take its course, two things should always be considered, and they include punishment and reward. The former implies that fairness is realized when the offender is subjected to the rule of his or her conduct, while the latter majorly deals with providing a reward where it is worth
People perceiving themselves as better than others while considering other races as inferior is very disheartening and forces minority leaders to act in the same way as Brown. It is a wrong mindset that diminishes the gains humanity has made over the centuries. It is very disturbing seeing how minorities suffer. They have continued to face hatred and being subjects of bigotry. Collectively they have been described as intimidators and terrorists with bad intentions. It is by this notion that when people get baffled, challenged, intimidated or are approached by unfamiliar things, fear instills within them. A society that is faced with racism becomes engulfed with fear and finds no access to rationalization and critical thinking.
Racism in manifested in different forms. It remains a big problem in and has led to cases of hatred, segregation and inhumane acts and it’s a high time that quick action is taken by creating awareness on this act failure to which the society will continue to be divided along ethnic lines. Without taking active actions like that of Brown, racism is bound to continue in society Racism is a despicable act that continues to adversely affect society. It is a matter that can no longer be hidden and people cannot pretend that it does not exist. Burial of racism in the 60’s era was only a stylish burial as it still remains a major and sensitive issue of the modern time. The problem is gushing back in most modern societies at a shocking rate. For instance, while the United States is a diverse and cultural state, racial tensions and conflicts continue to affect the freedom and wellbeing of millions of citizens. It is only through radical actions that racism that the plight of minorities can be highlighted. People who engage in affirmative action to stop racism like John Brown actions should not be cast as are freedom fighters since they are seeking to liberate people.
References
Deen, B. ( 2019). “John Brown's Holy War.” PBS . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWS_Jrjh11s
