15 Amendment Pros And Cons

As you may address the younger generation whom has just became legal to vote, if they vote, you may get a response as, “Why should I vote?”, or “The Government is going to do what they want to do, my vote doesn’t really count”. This is quite disheartening especially coming from our young African American population whom should be proud of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. Many uneducated individuals take this right which was fought for with numerous tears and deaths. Let us take a further glance into the 15th Amendment and what it stood for and the purpose which it served.
The XV Amendment to the Constitution plays a significant role to the voting rights of African Americans as it granted African Americans the right to vote by declaring
Giving blacks to vote. This did not happen overnight though. The south still provided strong resistance as they did not agree with allowing blacks to vote. The south continued to put up a good fight. With the support of the Voting Rights of 1965 history was in the making. The supreme court also backed this by banning poll taxes in 1966 with the baking of the XIV amendment. There was also federal oversight in areas of the south which would allow blacks the right to register to vote without being intimidated or have acts of violence unleashed upon them. There was also a U.S attorney general placed on the case to further investigate poll taxes which were still illegally being placed on
Let us continue to encourage one another in taking the stand and being proud to cast your vote at the ballot. We do not have to worry about being clubbed or chased down and hung for casting your vote. Do not let the political culture of America influence you to not let your voice be heard at the ballot. We have had several lives lost to sit in the dark and not be heard. Let us take to heart what black abolitionist Frederick Douglass said as he delivered a speech at the Anti-Slavery Society. “It is said that we are ignorant; admit it. But if we know enough to be hung, we know enough to vote. If the Negro knows enough to pay taxes to support government, he knows enough to vote; taxation and representation should go together. If he knows enough to shoulder a musket and fight for the flag for the government, he knows enough to vote”. (Frederick Douglas) This could not have sent a more clear message to America and congress. Be proud the of XV