It only took 148 years. What's the big deal?

[bigtree]

tweeted by, digby ‏@digby56
It only took 148 years. What's the big deal? #ratifying13thamendment http://bit.ly/12HQBjX


How (g)ratifying:

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865. Lawmakers in Mississippi, however, only got around to officially ratifying the amendment last month -- 148 years later -- thanks to the movie "Lincoln."

The state's historical oversight came to light after Mississippi resident Ranjan Batra saw the Steven Spielberg-directed film last November, the Clarion-Ledger reports.

After watching the film, which depicts the political fight to pass the 13th Amendment, Batra did some research. He learned that the amendment was ratified after three-fourths of the states backed it in December 1865. Four remaining states all eventually ratified the amendment -- except for Mississippi. Mississippi voted to ratify the amendment in 1995 but failed to make it official by notifying the U.S. Archivist.

Batra spoke to another Mississippi resident, Ken Sullivan, who contacted Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann about the oversight.

I kind of doubt it was an oversight.

But it's nice to see that a Spielberg movie still has the power to change hearts and minds. Politicians rarely even bother to try.

[Kelvin Mace]

1. IF I recall

the Southern Baptist Church only got around to officially repudiating slavery in 1993, and they Catholic Church only got out of the slave business in 1996. So, they have company.

[Bake]

4. There is no such thing as the "Southern Baptist Church."

Unless you're talking about the one on the corner of 1st and Main. There are Southern Baptist Churches, individual congregations, but no single "Southern Baptist Church."

And yes, I went to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1979) so I know what I'm talking about.

Bake

[noiretextatique]

5. southern baptist covention

is what the poster meant.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I know we've had

A few posts about this already - but this is the one I like the best . . .

"It Only took 148 years. What's the big deal?"


So now - will we have to move Juneteenth back to February? That's what Iiiiiiiiiiii want to know!

[bigtree]

3. we could do with a few more

. . .given the way that this is going to be brushed off in the near future and mostly forgotten. It's always amazing to me how very close we are today to our nation's tragic and formative past; how prescient and relevant the changes we take for granted are when we consider what became of these oppressed and segregated Americans, since.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. I don't intend

To have it forgotten. At risk of po'ing our Southern DU members - when I see things like this . . . this is where the 'typical' when something horrific happens in Southern states - in this particular case Mississippi.

But you know what? It is HORRIFIC that it wasn't of 'importance' to their leadership down there for 148 years.

And what makes me sad? The average younger AA (meaning 30 and under) has no clue what Juneteenth is.

If our own young won't remember - how do we get the white male Patriarchy in Mississippi to acknowledge/remember?

[Dpm12]

6. Mississippi just

last month abolished slavery? What the hell?