p3.+Crispus+Attucks+Coalition



=Group Members and Rolesmedia type="file" key="period3-groups-crispusattucks.mp4" align="right" width="300" height="300"=  =Group Slogan = Freedom for all or else we shall fall! = =
 * Joe: Writer, Speaker
 * Seychelle: Debater
 * Jenny: Writer, Brochure
 * David: Website, Photoshop
 * Ricky: T.V., Photographer
 * Lee: Radio
 * Patrick: Journalist

=What Your Group Wants -- Plan for New Constitution= We would like to slowly but surely rid of slavery. By not abruptly trying to end slavery but rather slowly taking steps toward it, the economy will not suffer. It would begin by closing the slave trade and limiting the number of slaves in America. Our eventual hopes are for a country that truly treats all men as equals and gives everyone the freedom they deserve. =Bullet Points of Your Plan= =Orator: Text of Your Speech=  media type="file" key="crispusattucks-speech-p3-2011.flv" width="640" height="360" align="center"
 * In a "weaning'' sense, we would remove slavery over an extended period of time
 * All slaves would be immediately given the status as "free men"
 * They would have all the same rights as you and I, including the right to vote
 * However, they would be in a state similar to that of indentured servitude except with pay
 * They would continue to work on their plantations for the next 5-10 years with pay brought about with the money that would have been previously spent on new slaves
 * They would be garaunteed protection laws to prevent abuse or mistreatment
 * Land would be set aside out west for them in hopes that they would settle it, free of charge, and start up a thriving community

Good morning my fellow Americans, representatives of the many states of our great nation. How wonderful, it is, to be able to meet here in beautiful Philadelphia, finally released from our oppressive bondage to Great Britain. How peaceful, it is, here where the gunshots of the Revolution are so very far away; the tyrannical hand of King George III so distant; the suffocating taxes so far removed. Take a moment to enjoy that freedom that was purchased by the precious blood of our brothers at Lexington and Concord, at Valley Forge, and, all the more so, on the day that shall forever be remembered with sadness: the Boston Massacre. Take a deep breath, gentlemen. This crisp spring air? That's ours. The wonderful resurgence of life after the dreary, dark despair of winter? That's ours. The gurgling brook running through the lush, green forest? That's ours. This great nation, by God's Almighty grace, was bestowed upon us. We, my brothers, are the sculptors; the united States of America, the granite. What we agree upon and design today will be the tool by which this country shall be carved. I need not shy away from the importance of the task which lays before us. Take another deep breath, gentlemen. Yes, our violent past is far away from us now, but we come here with pressing matters which are very close at hand. There are some things which stick in a person's mind, like an arrow in the flesh, and refuse to leave. For some, that is sight of a dear friend being bayonetted through the chest, crumbling to the earth. For others, its the sight of their home; everything they knew and held valuable to themselves, burning to the ground. For me, though, it is not just a sight, but a smell and a sound. Like a reoccurring nightmare, it haunts me day in and day out; a reality which I can try to deny, but which merely grows all the more apparent, every day that I walk this earth. That reality is slavery. There is something in the cry of a mother who's lost her child; something in the stream of blood running from deep, red gashes in a broken man's back; something in the reeking stench of filth and sheer agony. There exists in that something which resounds to the very core of our being; something which is blatantly smacking us in the face saying "Either this is wrong... or you are". A nation which is founded on equality, on liberty, and justice, can not function if, by those rights, it denies them. Gentlemen, I myself am a plantation owner who, like many others, is quite well off, to say the least. I will also shamefully acknowledge that I own my fair share of slaves. Hypocritical? Of course, but who said that I enjoy owning them? I understand the dependency which we have on those slaves: without them, the economy would crumble, chaos would ensue, and all that we have worked for would be in vain, waisted on purely moral ideals. My brothers, if there is one thing you must fully understand and believe, it is that I am a reasonable man. I understand both viewpoints, and fairly enough, I acknowledge where the Dixicrat Bloc is coming from. However, let us keep in mind that this committee's job is not to simply put forth various dreams and wishes for where we would like to see our country in the future, but it is to also design and follow the pathway to those endpoints. I can not stress enough the importance of this statement: "A nation run with slaves will soon be a nation in the grave". Because of the beliefs by which we founded America, maintaining slavery cannot, and should not, be accepted. While I know that immediately freeing all slaves would violently sink our already-floundering economy, I believe that there is a solution. All slaves, both young and old, should be given the same primary rights as you and I. Those males over 18 should have the right to vote. However, I understand your concerns. The "new American citizens" will not immediately be garunteed their freedom from working at their plantation. Over a period of 5-10 years, the former slaves would be placed in a state of similar status to that of indentured servitude. By that, though, they would be paid for their work using the money that was previously spent on new slaves, and by protection laws, they would be entitled to adequate housing and food in addition to anti-abuse codes. These would be enforced by a routine investigator who would, funded by the government, inspect plantations on a 6 month basis. That window of 5-10 years would give the plantation owner ample time to build up a sufficient hired work force, and the former slaves enough time to find other possible job opportunities. In addition, large areas of unsettled land to the west would be set aside for freed slaves, free of charge, in hopes that they could form a thriving community and contribute positively to our country. I know, gentlemen, that what I ask is a lot, but realize that to continue blindly into the future as things are now merely invites disaster and downfall. Do you not imagine that Great Britain is, as we speak, crossing their fingers that we shall fail? That our too-good-to-be true, hypocritical ideals are not... realistic enough? They especially enjoy themselves mocking our slave system and it's blatant irony; you know this as well as I do. Even France is sitting by, amid her internal struggles, greedily eying our political and economic issues. I say, gentlemen, we have proven the world wrong before: let us do it again here. Because you must realize, my brothers, that if there is not freedom for all, all shall fall...



=Debater: Possible Objections to Plan and Your Replies= Without slaves we will fall into economic down fall. ~We could give them the same rights as us, but have them work 5-10 years with pay then give them citizenship and let them leave the plantations if they chose. ~The 5-10 years would give the ex-slaves time to look for new work if they chose to leave and the plantation owners time to find new workers. Where would the slave owners get the money? ~They would use the money they would be spending on slaves to actually pay their slaves. They fought with the British against us. ~Yes some did, wouldn't you if your children were taken way from you, you were constantly whipped, and had no freedom and you had an opportunity to change that. ~Not all African Americans fought for the British, they fought the same fight for freedom next to our brother who fought for their freedom, but they never got their freedom like our brothers did.

=Why Our Plan is Good:= ~Our plan provides a stable, though progressive means of weaning slaves from their bondage. ~We understand how troubled our economy is, and our plan allows for a continuation of the thriving plantations in the South, while creating a transition period by which new workers could be found, and the entirely new work force created by this could find other jobs. ~We provide a constructive compromise between the two radical viewpoints, using unpopulated and unused land out west as a sort of haven for freed slaves. ~We immediately give ALL slaves the status of freed men, while protecting them under laws, and paying them for 5-10 years as they continue to work. =Print Journalist:= -Philadelphia, 1787 It’s been a long, hot day here reporting from Philadelphia as we have listened to the discussions that have been underway in the Constitutional Convention. Today, many of the “well fed, well bred, and well wed” have joined here to discuss the best form of government and the best way to represent states in our newly formed nation. In addition, other issues presented were the representation of black slaves in America, and their rights to freedom. Many shared their thoughts, ideas, and comments, while others debate fiercely defending their opinions and refuting others. Five plans were presented: the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Great Compromise, Dixiecrat Bloc, and the honorable Crispus Attucks Coalition. Each presented their plans to the convention, and all responded with a series of debates to finish off the convention for the day. The idea put forth by Virginia Plan head, James Madison, was that representation in government would be directly proportional to a state’s population. Madison believed that this would “strengthen national unity for the United States of America.” The New Jersey Plan followed, and greatly opposed the Virginia Plan by responding with a plan of their own. They proposed that there should be equal representation in voting, and that there will be equal representation for all states, fighting with the belief that “large states such as Virginia would back-stab the small states.” One vote from Rhode Island would equal one vote from New York, Massachusetts, or Virginia, for example. Ben Franklin was able to cool the debate with his Great Compromise Plan, which offered a two house legislature. One house would be based on population and the will of the majority, while the other would have equal representation of all states, and the voice of the minority would be heard. Franklin was quoted, “Both will get what they want and there will be balance.” This cooperative teamwork seemed to satisfy the two. Moving past representation of states, the debate shifted to the fate of black slaves. Would they be represented? Would they become free? These pressing issues sparked flames of debate in the hall. The righteous Crispus Attucks Coalition went first to present their glorious ideals. George Mason of Virginia spoke, believing that slaves are humans as well, and deserve the same rights as Americans. Armed with the slogan, “Freedom for All or all will fall”, Mason’s words motivated the crowd and his crusade for freedom seemed highly supported. The Crispus Attucks Coalition explained that slaves should begin gradual transition into a paid workforce to support the economy. Mason has “seen the horrible living conditions of slaves with his own eyes” and believes that by freeing slaves there will be equality for all and a hope that will unite the country.” The Dixiecrat Bloc followed, and believed that slaves are an integral part of the nation’s economy, and by removing the work force, or by paying them, prices for products will increase and the stable economy would soon collapse. These greedy plantation owners don’t seem to understand the truth that was spoken by Mason. Pickey also argued that slaves would be represented, but only count as 2/3 of a person. Charles Pickney was the frontman for the Bloc and challenged Mason with “Don’t you own slaves?” Yet, Mason shot Pickney’s comment down and embarrassed him in front of the crowd by responding that “he treats his slaves well.” Mason concluded the debate by leaving the crowd with one simple thought: If the slaves fought alongside the white men during the Revolutionary War and believed in the freedom that America would bring, then shouldn’t they earn the right to be free Americans? The Consitutional Convention is still underway and will continue on in Philadelphia though the next few days. As more info comes in, we will continue to keep you updated. From this one meeting alone, we can see the importance of this convention and soon we will begin to see the gradual formation of our new country. =TV PSA=

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