Although Chapter 16 shares some painful episodes of the past, it also discusses how we govern today and the evolution of the process. I particularly like John Locke’s view about the social contract that is between ruler and ruled. It should last as long as it serves the people well. Hmmmm. Makes me think that changes are most definitely needed and way overdue in Washington, D.C. Then again, one needs to be careful what they wish for as we can never be sure what monster will take over in congress and the senate. However, most of us recognize things are broken between the two main parties which really don’t serve the peoples’ needs.
I have to hand it to the Haitians over their revolt. Bravo! Their actions ultimately changed the destiny and slow demise of slave labor. I found it galling that France would ask them for money after Haiti had their freedom. I hope Haiti is able to get something out of France in return. Only seems fair.
I had not heard before that England slowly grew against slave labor and took steps to put a stop to it. The down side in the U.S. is what Black people had to endure as far as racism, discrimination, KKK lynchings, segregation laws, and denial of voting rights. It’s taken many years to change this treatment and it’s still not 100% irradicated.
I found the section about nation building interesting. I recall when I was in 4th and 5th grades we said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang patriotic songs to build up our patriotism and feel more like a part of this ‘nation’. Not sure that is done anymore.
Ah, yes, equal rights for women. I am so grateful for the Elizabeth Cady Stantons and Susan B. Anthonys of the world. Women owe them our gratitude and thanks. I’m a perfect example of why women need an education since I was widowed at a young age and needed to support my young son and me. How dare some ignorant male state that the ‘strains of education and life in the world would harm our reproductive ability.’ If this man had ever given birth, he would know we can take on the world. What a complete idiot he was! His comment shows his own lack of knowledge!
Wow, Chapter 17 about the industrial revolution is an eye opener on the impact it had on people and their lives as artisans, the environment and natural resources. It never ceases to amaze me how we continue to pigeonhole men and women in what they are meant to be and do. Women must be wives and mothers and stay at home and if we do work, we will be paid less. Men will be the main bread winners and will be paid more than women. Today we know this isn’t the case - we are slowly evolving towards greater equality for both genders. My concern today is that men aren’t enrolling in college like in generations past. Not sure how this is going to work out in the near future. Seems we need some cheerleaders out there for the male population to help them find their way of being all they can be and not giving up.
Chapter 18 was heart wrenching to read about the abusive way Asians and Africans were treated after their countries had been colonized by European countries due to the excesses of the Industrial Revolution. It dawned on me that Africa suffered twice at the hands of Europe: first with having Africans kidnapped into slave labor and taken to foreign lands and then invaded in their own country and basically enslaved and abused again.
(Yikes! It is after midnight and time for me to get to bed right after I send my blog.)
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