The ghost of Dred Scott haunts Ferguson: Amy Goodman

[malaise]

I learn something new every day
I know all about the Dred Scott decision but did not know he was buried in Ferguson
-----------------------
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/the_ghost_of_dred_scott_haunts.html
<snip>
The protests have raged along Ferguson's West Florissant Avenue. Four miles south of the protest's ground zero, along the same street, in the quietude of Calvary Cemetery, lies Dred Scott, the man born a slave who famously fought for his freedom in the courts. The Dred Scott decision of 1857 is considered by many to be the worst one in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled that African-Americans, whether slave or free, could not be citizens, ever.

Scott was born into slavery in Virginia around 1799 (the same year noted Virginia slaveholder President George Washington died). Scott's owner moved from Virginia, taking him to Missouri, a slave state. He was sold to John Emerson, a surgeon in the U.S. Army. In 1847, Scott sued Emerson for his freedom in a St. Louis court. Scott and his family prevailed, winning their freedom, only to have the decision overturned by the Missouri Supreme Court. The case then went to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the court's majority opinion, Chief Justice Roger Taney, a supporter of slavery, wrote, "A free negro of the African race, whose ancestors were brought to this country and sold as slaves, is not a 'citizen' within the meaning of the Constitution of the United States." Thus, the court ruled that all African-Americans, whether slave or free, were not citizens, and never would be.

[RobertEarl]

1. Hmmm

So all the righty-whities are walking on ground that Mr. Scott stood.

One can only hope his ghost is making waves. And since there are waves running thru Ferguson, it may be his ghost is at work. Certainly his spirit lives on in the hearts of many a free man.

[Louisiana1976]

2. Very interesting post. I had heard of the Dred Scott decision but didn't know he was buried

in Ferguson.

[Half-Century Man]

3. Lets fix something.

Give me a minute of your time please.


https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/bestow-citizenship-upon-mr-dred-scottand-his-wife-posthumously-and-grave-stone-be-erected-indicating/SprDyKHs

[malaise]

5. You should post this as an OP

[littlemissmartypants]

8. Indeed. eom

[Uncle Joe]

17. Thirded. n/t

[stranger81]

4. And Missouri loves Justice Taney (I hate writing that phrase) so much they named a county

after him. And have never seen fit to change that name.

[malaise]

6. Sad but true

More than a few Justices of the Supreme Court were and are racists. Institutional racism is the biggest problem.

[valerief]

7. Interesting Ferguson history. Thanks. nt

[malaise]

10. I was surprised

[valerief]

11. BTW, I always enjoy your posts. Just thought I'd mention that.

[malaise]

14. Back at you sis

[littlemissmartypants]

9. Kicking. Thank you. nt

[xchrom]

12. du rec.

[KamaAina]

13. Well, that would be just outside Ferguson

but the point is taken.

The incomparable Will Pitt:

How History Jumps Up And Eats My Face, Chapter Eleventy Billion And Four:

Four miles from the epicenter of the protests in Ferguson sits Cavalry (sic) Cemetery.

Where Dred Scott is buried.

[malaise]

15. Cool

[kwassa]

16. I've walked through the home of Chief Justice Taney.

In the historic district of Frederick, MD. We didn't realize it when we walked into the house. The docent was somewhat embarrassed to discuss his significance to my African-American wife. In the years since that time I discovered that during the Civil War my great-grandfather's Union regiment, the First Maine Cavalry, ran the Confederates out of Frederick and became the military government. Meanwhile, my great-grandfather was detailed out to a Pennsylvania regiment as a courier and ended up in the battle of Gettysburg, which he fortunately survived, or I would not be typing this now.

We have also visited the home of Frederick Douglass in Anacostia, DC, which is quite a bit more interesting. It is on a hilltop and has a view of downtown DC.

[malaise]

19. Nice post

Would love to visit Douglass' home

[kwassa]

20. It's a National Park tour.

in the middle of a now-poor area that will probably get re-developed in the next 20 years or so. The gentrification of DC continues. Dislocation of the citizens of Ward 8, Marion Barry's ward.

[Uncle Joe]

18. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, malaise.