Civil War Quote of the week Civil War Quote of the Week:“Previous to the formation of colored troops, I had a strong inclination to prepare myself for the ministry; but when the call came for ALL persons, I [felt] I … Continued
Sarah Mapps Douglass Did you know … Sarah Mapps Douglas (September 9, 1806 – September 8, 1882)? She was an African American educator, abolitionist, artist, and medical student. Sarah grew up among Philadelphia’s elite, during a time when African Americans … Continued
Sojourner Truth ( c. 1797 – November 26, 1883) was an African American, born into slavery in Esopus, New York, about 96 miles north of New York City. She was one of twelve children. Her parents were owned by Colonel Hardenbergh, an officer … Continued
From ordinary to extraordinary – Edward Brooke III
One of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity – Martin Luther King Jr.
We were riding a bus, in Mexico. Two white students and three black students wanted to eat together. The bus driver, from Illinois, told us we couldn’t.
This week we depart from our usual practice, and highlight a living African American artist. Andre Watts is one of the premiere pianists of the last sixty years. I first heard him play with the Houston Symphony in 1973. This … Continued
Mary didn’t hesitate. She found some men’s clothing that fit well enough, gathered a small bag, and left by night. When she reached the steamer dock and her contact, she was required to climb into a wooden crate, which was then nailed shut and carried aboard the steamer.
“I told [him] I had acted according to his orders. He had told me to look for a master, and I had been to look for one. He answered that he did not tell me to go to Canada to look for a master. I told him that as I had served him faithfully, and had been the means of putting a number of hundreds of dollars into his pocket, I thought I had a right to my liberty.”
Following the Civil War, Illinois was still not a welcoming place for African Americans. Although the Illinois Black Codes were repealed when the 13th Amendment ending slavery passed, the legislation does not immediately change hearts. Generations of prejudice keeping African … Continued