We fight our fate, for a future
You cannot discuss black history in the US without reviewing our reason for being here – slavery [and our continued oppression]. After publication, several discoveries that I made changed the general narrative from what it used to be: i.e. “400 years of slavery” is no longer being said; the first blacks arrived before the first slave ship in 1619; January 6th was not the first insurrection in US history.
The research for this section of BI-US took years; it was difficult to do. It is fitting that we gave Social Unrest its own section of the book. Separately, we list the revolts, rebellions, massacres, riots, marches, mutinies and incidents that gave us cause to fight our fate, for a future. Many incidents were in direct response to US government and state laws/rulings and policies which were enacted to manage, control, and oppress the black population, whether slave or free. I just summed-up the whole premise of my book. In the 5 centuries of this country, only the tactics used to manage us, have changed.
Many historians have mentioned the “Black Codes” which were formally established in 1705 to create limitations for the slave population. They were also created out of fear of rebellion; superiority had to be maintained. The were replaced by Black Laws. Just think about it; a worrier people had to be brought to submission. It happened on many levels, physical, psychological, financial, and social.
There are so many instances where popular beliefs don’t give the fullest or truest story. This is the reason why I make the statement “our history in our words” for example:
- The New York Slave Revolt of 1712. is scarcely mentioned, compared to the Steno Rebellion of 1739; or the Nat Turner Rebellion of 1831.
- William Still began service for the Underground Railroad 5 years before Harriette Tubman, with a greater body of work; yet he is rarely mentioned.
- Black Wall Street was not the worst massacre, or the biggest. (but it has recently come to light that it’s aftermath was).
It is my journey to fill in the backdrop of when and why, so that we can move forward to how change can happen for “we, as a people”.
Having given the background of Justice, Laws, and the Social Unrest, for black people, the Timeline, Part IV of BI-US will offer perspective. Please share your thoughts.
CW Porter
This is quite intriguing! It’s been a while since I sat in a history class, but I sure don’t remember them speaking a word about any of these events.
Thank you for this history lesson, and I look forward to reading your future insights!
Thank you Ms. Ericka Scott. I ache for the mis-beliefs I’ve held, and the conversations I’ve heard that were anything but the truth. The bible talks about those who have ears to hear.
The facts and the truths I realized when doing the timeline, and shining a light by questioning why, might be uncomfortable, but how else can we get a better understanding. We’ve become accustomed to sound bites, and separate incidents of history. Right now, I am noticing on MSNBC, that all the subjects I’ve been blogging on are suddenly discussed by other “authorities” on the subject{s}. I must be doing something right 🙂