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As the celebration of Black History Month draws to a close this year my thoughts turn toward one figure in the struggle for African American freedom in particular, Dred Scott.
As a fellow Missourian I am familiar with the legacy of the Dred Scott case and it’s impact on our world today. Dred Scott, having lived many years of his enslavement in free territory raised the question over whether that made him indeed free as well. The slave owner did not agree and so Mr. Scott took his case to court. Some of the most dramatic parts of this historical event played out in Missouri’s Supreme Court rooms in the city of St. Louis. The Missouri court ruled against Mr. Scott in 1852, and he then proceeded to the U.S. Supreme Court. This March 6th, 2007 will be the 150th anniversary of this brave man taking his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Unfortunately Mr. Scott did not win his case there, but indeed his diligence served to perhaps begin the discourse that led to the civil war and freedom for so many more.
I have walked through that old Missouri courthouse as it still stands in the downtown St. Louis, but this year is the first that I also plan to bring my son. Carson might never fully understand what occurred in that room so long ago, but he will benefit at this end of the journey that Mr. Scott so bravely began. Because of one man’s courage it will be easier for my own son to achieve his life goals. He can be anything he wants and a man who lived over 150 years ago paved the way.
This year not only is the 150th anniversary of the famous case but it has also been suggested that the Missouri Supreme Court is at this time taking into consideration a full apology to the Scott family as Missouri was a free state during that time and yet Mr. Scott was denied his freedom by the state’s court system. Mr. Scott and his wife Harriet do have remaining family in the St. Louis area today. Lynne Jackson, a great-great granddaughter of the couple has been planning a major celebration for this historic event for several years now. I am hopeful our family can attend. If Mr. Scott were alive today I would love to shake his hand and thank him for his perseverance, but I will be just as happy to shake the hand of his great-great granddaughter in his stead.
If you are interested in learning as much as possible about Dred Scott and this courageous battle in African American History here are some great, detailed resources.
The Supreme Court full text documents of the Dred Scott case
I hope you had a lot of wonderful, learning experiences for Black History Month!
