This would be the part where the eulogy would be read. Tears would be shed and then the burial. Only I saw this coming and there is no funeral. Why? Well, since you asked I’ll say it loudly for you: EVERY MONTH IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I want to say that every day should be a history lesson. You cannot appreciate what you don’t know.
Now to kick off February with my outburst over. I wanted to take the time to share part of the lesson plan for one of my students studying for the GED. We focused on the amendments and compared them to the government we currently have. It was a fun and eye-opening exercise that can benefit most people so let’s get into it.
This is important because the government has removed the Constitution and Bill of Rights from the official website (as of 1/25/25). It’s important to know and exercise your rights!
Amending History
Crazy people do crazy things, including trying to circumvent the very Constitution they harp about. It turns out, they aren’t educated on what the Constitution entails and how it protects the people. To make matters worse, a large majority of the American population couldn’t even tell you what the Amendments did or their impact on our society as a whole. I’m just an average citizen, interested in the doomsday clock we are rushing towards (not to get pessimistic), and am by no means a professional historian.
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, which spell out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. These Amendments guarantee civil rights and liberties to the individual, which is pretty important. Here’s a brief rundown of each of the Amendments:
- Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly and Petition – this is exactly as it reads. There is no law respecting the establishment of religion, rights to peacefully assemble for protests, petition the government over grievances, etc. Makes me wonder how Elon’s “X” and the current government’s censoring are legal. Maybe I’m reading too much into it.
- Right to Bear arms – “a well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State.” I want it on the record that if you choose to keep guns, it is for you to protect yourself against the government and other entities aiming to do you harm.
- Quartering of Soldiers – soldiers cannot forcefully enter your home (whether that is in times of peace or war). Tell them to fuck off and shut the door.
- Search and Seizure – They cannot just go through your stuff. MUST PRESENT WARRANTS OR GAIN YOUR VERBAL CONSENT (NEVER CONSENT – ever heard of drug planting?).
- Due Process, self Incrimination, Grand Jury – you cannot be a witness against yourself & the courts cannot deprive you of life, liberty, or property without due process).
- Right to a Speedy trial (Jury, Witnesses, Counsel) – you cannot just sit in jail for an indefinite amount of time.
- Jury trial in Civil lawsuits – $20 minimum in damages
- Excessive Fines, CRUEL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT
- Non-Enumerated Rights retained by people – Not only are the rights listed here enforced within these amendments but even those NOT expressed are held to a high degree. None of your human rights are more important than the other (unless it comes to houselessness and starvation).
- Rights reserved to states or people – powers not delegated to the US nor prohibited are reserved to the States or people
How is this Relevent?
I need you to think big and remember that businessmen will tell you everything they plan on doing in detail (think project 2025). Most cults write manifestoes and push boundaries.
How is the round-up of “illegal” immigrants legal under the Bill of Rights (specifically when looking at it in terms of Amendments 5 & 6)? This administration is not waiting for the correct legal processing before dumping American citizens and Immigrants alike in countries that are not their homes. How does a federal abortion ban not immediately become illegal under the First Amendment? Circumventing of these amendments and misconstruing them is how we are heading to the point of no return.
It’s important to know your rights to know when history is rhyming and you are being taken advantage of. With a federal abortion ban on the table, how would that affect voting (more extreme than gerrymandering and making it hard along a racial line to vote)? Look into the 15th and 19th amendments and tell me how well you think that is going to be fair under a sexist and racist regime. Everything is interconnected.
If you can change one thing within the constitution, all amendments and the protection they house for everyone is fair game. Trump’s administration is looking to amend the 22nd amendmentto allow for a third-term limit (stupid conditions apply).
Sit here and think about the implications of illegally changing the constitution.
I Don’t Want To Scare You
I need you to understand how important these Amendments are to your very freedom. It’s important to see and understand the legal documents that make up our Country. They aren’t perfect but they are a testament to the history of the United States.
Remember that to fix the system, we have to know about it. How it disproportionally hurts and helps us. There is always room for improvement, the legal way, and with the best interests of the majority, not the minority. If they are willing to hurt anyone, they’re willing to hurt everyone. How you treat the disadvantaged in your country says a lot about you as a person. Says even more about you as a government.
