In the book, Louisiana written by Joe Grey Taylor published by W.W. Norton and Company, New York, 1976 the author has a chapter about what happen to the state after the Civil War. The time is called the Reconstruction, President Lincoln sent down Union Generals to begin the process to set up government under new rules. However, it was not the case that all black people could vote, it was still restricted to whites. It was also the time when violence towards blacks rose in a strange way, when blacks were slaves they were an asset to be protected; once they were freemen they were competition for jobs and violence rose. The result was the US military was called in and it was the military’s duty to register all adult males and if they had not voluntarily aided the Confederacy then the people could vote on the new Constitution of Louisiana. Things were progressing and the Lieutenant Governor was a black man. However, there grew a segment determined to keep politics white and for the next number of years limit the vote of blacks both institutionally and at the ballot box. Voting might mean a beating and in one case where a number of blacks were killed, a judge let those on trial go because no white man was going to convict a white man killing a black man. It would take a long time before attitudes changed.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, all companies go through trama at what time or next, what does it do is the question? Does it change? How or does it carry on? Over time, companies need to change but that does not mean often times it goes kicking and screaming before it changes. When you bought your shares, the company reflected your values to be profitable and pay a dividend, did it have other values you shared? Or wanted it to share? Could it do both?

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.