Would You Deny Four Hundred Years of Your Own History?

America is the only country I know of that considers four hundred years of its own history a mere footnote, even though that history almost destroyed the country in the Civil War. Yes, I'm talking about the slave trade, and Jim Crow laws.

Most of what is known about slavery and Jim Crow law by six generations of Americans comes from the following three sources. 1)Hollywood, where accomplishments of Blacks that were depicted on film often used white actors; 2) news organizations, books, college courses, etc, that omitted or distorted news about a whole range of issues concerning Black life; 3)the education system where Black history was not taught in schools. For this blog post let's  first take a look at the evolution of formal education in North Carolina,  my family’s American ancestral home.     

Since I am not a historian in the academic sense, I asked

Thomas Day: The "Father" of the Modern Day Furniture Industry in North Carolina

In the early to mid 1800's a free Black man was the largest furniture manufacturer in North Carolina. Yes, I did say a free Black man. A furniture designer of such notariety that the then governor of the state ordered desks for his entire cabinet from this particular entreprenuer. And, some North Carolina museums and churches still, to this day, have furniture designed and manufactured by him and his employees. Yes, he grew up free and Black, even though back then being free in one state didn't mean you were free everywhere in America.

The gentleman in question is Thomas Day, born in Virginia in 1801, later migrating to North Carolina taking the family furniture business with him. His parents both came from prosperous Black families who were free, and had been since the Revolutionary War between America and England. There were countless Blacks who were free during the period of enslavement, although American history never mentions them or their status. America wanted Blacks to stay in their place, poor, uneducated, and with no self motivation to improve their lot in life. They had plenty of motivation, but few opportunities.

I first became aware of Thomas Day in 2003 after several years of

Never read a better statement

The Movie, "Lincoln", and Elizabeth Keckley

If you've seen the Steven Spielberg movie, Lincoln, you might have noticed veteran actor Gloria Reuben in the role of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, who was a constant companion of the First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln. If you know your history, you know that Ms. Keckley  was an accomplished dressmaker, entrepreneur, activist, and author. I first became aware of her story in 2001 while working with the African American Cutural Complex, The NC Museum of History, and the Thomas Day Education Project , all in  North Carolina.

Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery in Dinwiddie County, Virginia in 1818. As with most slaves she was treated with the brutality and sexual abuse that

A Freed Black Man Writes a Letter to His Old master

Enslaved Africans made numerous attempts to escape bondage. In many instances the newly freed recorded their experiences as both enslaved, and free. The record of their ordeal is documented in books, oral history, slave narratives, and family recollections.

The new, free life offered an income, better health and living conditions, and primarily, safety for the families. Safety for their wives and children, but, particularly their female offspring. These feelings are expressed by former slave,

Become An Historic Reenactor

Having worked as a volunteer on Black history in North Carolina for fifteen years, I found the door of opportunities wide open. Of the more significant of those was the chance to portray 1800's historic figures such as, furniture designer Thomas Day and, poet & author George Moses Horton. Also, I produced a short film documenting an important Civil War moment in time(see post on Princeville, NC).

Reeactors portray US Colored Troops, clergy, farmers and other average folks going about their lives at the end of the Civil War. It's fun and educational, and there are national and local reenactment groups in many places for you to connect with. Usually, no experience is necessary.

Unfortunately, since the American education system has never allowed the struggles or accomplishments of Blacks to be taught in the public schools, we must teach ourselves. As poet Maya Angelou has penned so eloquently, "History, despite its wrenching pain, can- not be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again".

However, finding people to reenact has been difficult. Some people are

Black Family Reunions: An Opportunity to Exchange Stories and Ideas

The family reunion offers a great opportunity to exchange stories and connect the dots of Black history to your family tree. Some, however, may not be comfortable with topics such as slavery itself, the Jim Crow era, and others sensitive areas. You may be the only one in your family who cares about your ancestors' past, but don't let that stop you.

Our ancestors worked hard, fought for freedom, and even rebelled against their captors, but their stories are not taught in American schools. We should take it upon ourselves to tell our own story, rather than accept the story others choose to tell about us.

Your search may not be in this order. But, the following may help.