Finish the abolishment of slavery through the 13th amendment
Finish the abolishment of slavery through the 13th amendment
The Issue
The goal of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution was supposedly to abolish the centuries-old practice of slavery in America.
However, a clause in the wording of the amendment has allowed systemic racism, present from the time of America's birth, to remain. This systemic racism has mutated and grown over centuries, taking on many different forms and shapes. And yet, the goal has always been the same: The oppression of our nations black people.
Section One of the 13th Amendment reads:
"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."
It is our belief that the key inclusion of the word "except" has enabled the broad disregard for racially equal right and treatment, up to and including widespread police brutality.
We need to come together as Americans, and as citizens of this great nation, to sign this petition and inspire foundational change: To CHANGE the wording of the 13th amendment to reflect that slavery of all forms is abolished totally and completely, without EXCEPTION.
When the crowds have left the streets and America falls silent again, we ask by means of this petition to finish, truly and completely, the abolishment of slavery.
So that all Americans and human beings who remain shackled, literally, racially and mentally by system of racism left in place by the 13th amendment, may finally take the breath that George Floyd so desperately needed:
The liberating breath of racial equality and freedom.
---
- This petition made in collaboration with Earl Stanley Cook, Latrice Phillips.
01. Please read our Open Letter, which provides the backdrop for this petition, a copy of which will be sent to those in power at our highest levels of government and other responsible industries upon completion of this petition.
02. Please join the conversation about Anguish and Action at Obama.org
03. We would also like to feature this video by Dr. Boyce Watkins, a respected member of the community, and encourage you to connect.
04. Please consider the information in this video presented by Saneter Studios regarding Black People and the Coronavirus.
05. Please take action and connect with the community at Black Lives Matter
2,565
The Issue
The goal of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution was supposedly to abolish the centuries-old practice of slavery in America.
However, a clause in the wording of the amendment has allowed systemic racism, present from the time of America's birth, to remain. This systemic racism has mutated and grown over centuries, taking on many different forms and shapes. And yet, the goal has always been the same: The oppression of our nations black people.
Section One of the 13th Amendment reads:
"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."
It is our belief that the key inclusion of the word "except" has enabled the broad disregard for racially equal right and treatment, up to and including widespread police brutality.
We need to come together as Americans, and as citizens of this great nation, to sign this petition and inspire foundational change: To CHANGE the wording of the 13th amendment to reflect that slavery of all forms is abolished totally and completely, without EXCEPTION.
When the crowds have left the streets and America falls silent again, we ask by means of this petition to finish, truly and completely, the abolishment of slavery.
So that all Americans and human beings who remain shackled, literally, racially and mentally by system of racism left in place by the 13th amendment, may finally take the breath that George Floyd so desperately needed:
The liberating breath of racial equality and freedom.
---
- This petition made in collaboration with Earl Stanley Cook, Latrice Phillips.
01. Please read our Open Letter, which provides the backdrop for this petition, a copy of which will be sent to those in power at our highest levels of government and other responsible industries upon completion of this petition.
02. Please join the conversation about Anguish and Action at Obama.org
03. We would also like to feature this video by Dr. Boyce Watkins, a respected member of the community, and encourage you to connect.
04. Please consider the information in this video presented by Saneter Studios regarding Black People and the Coronavirus.
05. Please take action and connect with the community at Black Lives Matter
2,565
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Petition created on June 3, 2020