No, Asshole, It Wasn’t About State’s Rights and It Didn’t Actually End Anything…

by Your Evil Auntie

I’m seeing bullshit going up on social media once again about how slavery wasn’t the cause of the American Civil War.

Well, that’s easily disprovable bullshit right there. Just look at the Cornerstone Speech made by then Confederacy Vice President Alexander H Stephens. That has it all right there for you to read.

If they continue to whine that it was about so-called “States’ Rights” then ya, sure. The State’s Right to legally hold a human being in a condition of slavery.

And before you say that slavery is a thing of the past, perhaps you should take a moment to read the text of Section One (the bit I’ve highlighted below in red) of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Then read it again. Then, after you’re done sputtering, read it a third time.

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Yes, that Amendment allows for slavery, under specific circumstances, and there were laws enacted to make it as easy as possible to arrest, try and convict people for crimes to put them into a position of enforced, legally-supported servitude.

Now, think of the color of those people most likely to be arrested, tried, and convicted of a crime.

Take your time. I’ll wait.