Carolyn Shapiro

@cshaplaw.bsky.social

2160 Followers 1361 Following

Law prof at Chicago-Kent College of Law; co-director of CK Institute on the Supreme Court; Of Counsel, Schnapper-Casteras, PLLC; former IL Solicitor General.

Hazy city scene.

Wedding photo of a man and woman

White orchids

Whatever the Supreme Court does, however, Prigg and its aftermath may also offer a more inspiring parallel for the rest of us. Community mutual aid among free Black people, those who escaped from slavery, and some white abolitionists was widespread and often very effective. In Boston, for example, where there was a large and long-established Black community, slavecatcher watches alerted people to danger. Groups of community members would surround the slavecatchers, sometimes driving them away or rescuing those they were attempting to abduct. All over the North, anti-slavery activists sometimes surrounded jails where alleged escapees were held, demanding their release. Even after Prigg, some northern states continued to pass laws to protect Black people. Those laws might be struck down, but their existence sent a strong message about those states' views about slavery.

Sideboard with many fully lit Hanukkah menorahs

Two men dressed like the Blues Brothers, holding signs saying “We’re on a mission from God to save America” and “I hate Illinois Nazis.”

Several people in Simpsons costumes on a very crowded train.

Screenshot: Instead of letters, there are boxes containing the letter X.

A picture of a woman with a band-aid on her upper arm

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards

Sign reading: “If your voice held no power, they wouldn’t try to silence you”

Orange gates from Japan