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Written by Anna Lisa-Cox, Bone and Sinew of the land discusses the Great migration that lead to many African American settlements into the beginning of the Midwest/Northwest Territory. They lived in harmony with natives. This is due to Northwest Ordinance; allowing people to move out into the territory free of slavery. For example,  Indiana in 1840 had the first unisex and racially diverse school and black politician elected in office.

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The beginning of the northwest territory started out great. Most people were gaining right and owning land. Harmony was finally being seen in the new United States. There was hope

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The lands had great prospects. Rich farmland and acres and acres of land. The American dream at the time was this. Moving out, creating a name for yourself as a farmer or politician. Work hard and live a good Christian life. With slavery being outlawed in Indiana, maybe African Americans moved in hopes of fitting with other white people living in America at the time. They were able to own land, buy a gun, vote, and many other normal human things. While slavery was illegally, that odes mean it didn’t happen. It was still a common thing. However, now people have a way to fight back with the law. The government was on there side.

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Everything sounds amazing, however many people didn’t follow the law of no slavery and equality for all. People are still racist and sexist. Just because the law says something, does mean people will follow

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The antebellum period was in full swing at this point. Technological and social advancements are happening all over the country along with westward expansion. Some people, the law making elite, didn’t like the more freedom people of color were getting and tried to make laws more restricting for them. The colored convention occurred during this time. The elite decided all the rights given are now getting taken away. No more rights for people of color.

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Once people of color started to gain wealth with land and rights, white people felt threatened and took it all away. While it might of had something to do with skin color, the competition was just to much for them.

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Most settlements in early Indiana were welcoming. Starting with a small about of black communities and growing exponentially through the 1820s-1840s. Most areas were very progressive or just kept their racist tendencies to themselves. Then around the 1850s, the black and people of color population severely declines.

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With the first version of the Indiana constitution, equality was a big deal. Whether that was for the right reason or not isn’t the true point. The black population migrated and began to live the “American Dream”. Once some southerners came and other racist elites realized their plan didn’t turn out the way they wanted, they decided to change everything and regress. From the outside, the progressive nature of some areas of Indiana was just a failed attempt to keep black people out of the state.

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Most laws and guidelines laced out in this first version of the constitution was similar to the federal government in terms of how the state will be run and set up of the system. In terms of race and equality, slavery was banded, anyone could vote, and everyone had an almost equal opportunity for whatever they had set their mind to. This was the frontier. This was the future. Most people wanted it setup this way.

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The want for no slavery and equality was solely a trick by naïve elitist thinking if no slave owners can bring slaves, then no black people would show up. This idea and thought obviously didn’t work because one of the greatest black populations would begin to grow here

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This constitution was a little more conservative. Black people, people of color, and women and many rights taken away during this time. Most of the laws and government structure stayed the same though.

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Once their plan with the 1816 constitution didn’t plan out correctly, people wanted a change in order to get black people out of the state. The progressive nature of Indiana soon went away. With many aspects and reasons as to why, the main reason was the race and gender rise they were seeing at this time.

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The court case involves a slave property issue surrounding Dred Scott. Taken by his master from Illinois to now Minnesota, he try’s to sue for his freedom. However, the court says they can't do anything because the Missouri compromise isn’t in the constitution and he isn’t a Minnesota resident

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This excuse by the court to allow slavery to continue in areas of the north is a major problem. Finding loop holes to feed their racism is how the more systemic racism and issue begin. The north is seen as a better and more just area but it’s truly not. It’s economy just doesn’t rely on slavery so they say they don’t use it

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Stephen Douglas is highly opposed to giving black peoples citizenship or any kind of power in society. His main reason being that God would have told them they deserved rights. Somewhere and somehow, God would have told them to welcome them into society. His second point being that this country was founded on a ”white basis” and so only white people should be able to participate. He try’s to shut down many of Lincoln’s points along the way of his speech while also inviting people to vote for Lincoln if they do not feel the same as he does.

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Douglas has a great debate. He used amazing points. Pulling religion into an argument the way he did can get a lot of voters on your side because at this time religion is everything. For his beliefs, the are right on par with most people at this time. Its ok that slavery’s gone, but not ok for them to be equal. This thinking is what continues racism and inequality for hundreds of years and still into today

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These words are truly shocking to hear come out of Lincoln’s mouth for anyone. A man we put on a pedestal as the man who stood for equality and rights says that black people are physically different and that white people are superior is hard to swallow. How did the narrative get so far from the truth? Why did we twist his words in order to make him sound like this great man that stands for equality?

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While Lincoln’s thoughts are more progressive then most at the time, he still believes that white people are superior. This truly shows the thinking for this time that while some might be progressive, most vocally or non-vocally are extremely racist. Just because slavery is gone in a state, doesn’t mean that berry follows the rule and everyone will welcome people of color with open arms

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This controversial topic has been discussed for hundreds of years and if still effecting society today. The thought that people of color are different and deserve less rights because of that is a common thought. While slavery might be considered not ok by the north, people of color still aren’t either. What led us to believe the lies of the most progressive north stood with black people during this time when in reality, they wanted nothing to do with them.

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Indiana and other states around the Northwest Territory became with a great start of abolishing slavery and making a more equal and just community for all. However, in Indianas case, their rights were lost due to many reasons. Race playing a big factor. Not thinking that making it a free and progressive state would entice black people to come into the state was a big upset for the elitist law makers. With all black people joining the party and making a name for themselves it does bring up the point of competition. With more men getting into politics or any field of work, it becomes harder to get to the top. If the competition is gone, the racist elitist get to stay at the top. While other factors played into the reason as to why hoosiers lost rights after the progressive period, race and equality was a front runner.