Emancipation was certainly an upgrade during the times of my ancestors
The elimination of privately-owned human trafficking was a call for celebration
That was all fine and dandy for a hot minute
However, there shouldn’t have been an asterisk when the quill made the 13th update
How far have(n’t) we come?
Proving humanity and competence on a daily basis were chains onto themselves
Even with more hard-fought laws on the books, some of them have to be voted on every few decades while others have their rights etched in stone
The refusal of such protections and dignity are a detriment to everyone
Whether those emancipated stayed here or went to the land with a one star and stripes (also red, white, and blue), they and their descendants deserved far better
That liberty and pursuit of happiness needs to apply to all just like what it said on that paper
