President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation amidst the civil war crisis. The proclamation was issued to free slaves in the Confederate States. Even though it was issued as a military measure, it marked a critical shift because it redefined the Civil War. The proclamation shifted the war from a struggle to maintain the Union to a struggle to preserve a Union primarily focused on ending slavery. Despite not freeing all slaves, the Emancipation Proclamation marked the beginning of freedom for all African Americans held as slaves. It marked the start of the struggle for liberation in the United States. The proclamation was issued as the nation entered the third year of the Civil War; however, more than a century later, people of color still face systematic racism, which violates their fundamental rights as human beings. This paper will discuss the Emancipation Proclamation and demonstrate the themes of empowerment struggles and disenfranchisement in the 19th century and illustrate its relevance in today's society.
The proclamation was responsible for shaping the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. argues that the proclamation was a beacon of light and hope for all African Americans held as slaves. The Civil Rights Movement was a struggle for social justice and equality. It was started to ensure that African Americans enjoyed similar rights and freedoms as their Caucasian counterparts under the constitution. During his tenure, President Lincoln had initiated the struggle to end slavery and racism with his military action of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation (Pontz, 2019). Throughout the Civil War, before issuing the proclamation, Lincoln argued that his main objective was to save the Union and not to destroy or save slavery; nonetheless, he was willing to destroy slavery to save the Union. Slaved labor was vital if the Confederacy was going to win the Civil War; therefore, the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves would cost the Confederacy states considerably since they heavily relied on free labor provided by their slaves. The Union won the war, and the Emancipation Proclamation paved the way for abolishing slavery. It led to the development and passing of the 13 th Amendment of the constitution (Pontz, 2019). Lincoln referred to the proclamation as the most extraordinary event of the 19 th century.
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More than a century later, since the proclamation, traces of race and racism can still be found within the United States societies. Systematic racism in the United States has continuously impacted the lives of people of color. It can be seen in horrific acts that include the terrible murder of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery (Allen, 2020). Systematic racism ripples through American social institutions and is embedded in daily interactions. Moreover, it inhibits African Americans' ability to actualize all aspects of the American dream. The systematic injustices experienced by the disadvantaged and minorities in the United States bring about whether American democracy is equitable (Rashawn, 2021). Although a lot of racial progress has been made since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, the United States is yet to make enough racial progress in realizing the human rights of all Americans regardless of color or religious affiliation. Allen (2020) has argued that to bring an end to systematic injustice, the United States should pay special attention to people of color and faith-based communities such as the Muslim and Jewish communities. Additionally, comprehensive police reforms are a requirement, especially reforms rooted in the engagement and empowerment of disfranchised communities.
The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln was the first of many efforts to end slavery, racism, and discrimination in America. The proclamation led to the freeing of slaves in the Confederacy States and was responsible for changing the landscape of the Civil War. Unfortunately, more than a century later, the United States has not entirely eradicated racism since systematic racism and injustices are still embedded in American societies. There is a need to address systemic racism through stringent legislation and the empowerment of disenfranchised communities.
References
Allen, J. (2020). Systemic racism and America today. The Brookings Institution . https://www.brookings.edu/blog/how-we-rise/2020/06/11/systemic-racism-and-america-today/
Pontz, B. (2019). Destroying the right arm of rebellion: Lincoln's emancipation proclamation. The Gettysburg Historical Journal , 18 (1), 6.
Rashawn, R. (2021). Is the United States a racist country? The Brookings Institution . https://www.brookings.edu/blog/how-we-rise/2021/05/04/is-the-united-states-a-racist- country/
