Forgotten Heros

There are so many forgotten black heroes in American history. I am not sure which is worse, that our public schools don't teach about them on a regular basis or that our culture would like to forget them too. I mean we talk about Grover Washington and Malcolm X and others, but what about those guys that are part of the fabric of America? We have been through so much as a people and not to take away from the atrocities, struggles and victories of other races which have faced similar persecutions, but we as blacks have so much to be proud of. We have overcome dark and appalling times. Being brought to America unwillingly, stolen by Muslim slave catchers in Africa and sold to Dutch trades coming to America in 1619 when the first slave arrived, and it is OK. Although the Constitution of the US was not written till 1787, ratified two years later, this is when our political history begins. Through this we have become the fiber of American Society. Without us America*s beginning economy probably would not have prospered so quickly. Morally we brought about reformation forcing people to really stand up for what they believed was right. Since the beginning of America our founding fathers (such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, Stephen Hopkins, Benjamin Rush and many more who signed the Declaration of Independence), were fighting for the rights of slaves (All men are created equal), having to fight the ignorant and the unjust, those scared of the unknown and those who were simply vicious and without conscience. True, it took a civil war to get it right and 200 years; but it shows not only the human spirit but the tenacity of our people and how the favor of God is with us. It was James A. Garfield our 20th President who was able to witness the final chapter in the deliverance of African Americans from slavery in America. Proclaiming, "With unquestionable devotion to the Union-with a patience and gentleness not born of fear-they have followed the light as God gave them to see light." Now I know it took so much longer and so much suffering to truly get respect from a whole nation, but it did come. Now we as a people need to claim that and have victory in our minds and fight the last type of slavery they can pawn off on you, slavery of the mind. Pitting us against each other, trying to make us believe we have not come far, that we are not part of America, that we cannot succeed without help, without government, without violence. We need to take back our neighborhoods and stop poisoning ourselves with drugs and the devils of this world: fear, mammon and ignorance. Ignorance being one of the most incontrolabel beasts. We have the favor of God so let's act like it and take what is ours! Let*s take a look and really see some of those heroes who have so changed our lives and brought freedom to so many blacks and whites alike. James Armistead: A spy who helped make possible the 1781 Yorktown victory.
Peter Salem: Hero of one battle was 1775 's Battle of Bunker Hill. A monument was erected to his memory in Massachusetts to commemorate his life and deeds.
Fredrick Douglas: Helped recruit the first black regiment to fight for the Union. Advised Abraham Lincoln. Received appointments from Republican Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield. Was removed by Grover Cleveland (Dem) and reappointed by Benjamin Harrison (Republican). Douglas was taught the constitution was the pro slavery document and accepted this and later researched and recanted those statements. He said, "The Constitution is a glorious liberty document. Read its preamble, consider its purpose. Is slavery among them?"
The single "pro slavery" clause, the Three-fifths clause was a way to limit the power of slave owners of the south who would use the slaves as a person to strengthen slavery. The slave owners would count the slaves as regular inhabitants and by doing so increased the number of pro-slavery representatives to Congress. Therefore as a way to thwart this the Three-fifths clause came into effect. The founding fathers had to weigh this and take caution, but as long as the slave owners could use the slaves this way the abolishment of slavery would be nearly impossible; it increased slave-owner power too much. So the compromise the Pro abolishers and Slave owners came to was; they could count 65 of the slaves.
Rev. Absalom Jones: the first black Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America. Oh and the church was founded by Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and co-founder with Benjamin Franklin of the first abolition society in America.
Rev. Richard Allen: Famous black minister who preached at a large white mega church and started his Bethel Church which birtehd the AME denomination.
Prince Whipple & Oliver Cromwell: are depicted at the front of the boat in the famous picture of the 1776 crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night with George Washington.
John Rock: the first African American attorney to be introduced to Congress.
Reverend Charles: " C.L" Jackson: You find out who he was!
The names go on and on. These are but a few. I do want to go on as there is such a long and rich history here. *They* would love for you to never hear, that we would not only remain ignorant, but continue to fall for lies and deceit. But for now I am all out of room. Until next time my friends.