During the civil war, enslaved men fled from their enslavers and flocked to Union lines. John C. Fremont, a Union general, issued a proclamation freeing the enslaved people of Missouri rebels. President Lincoln revoked the proclamation. In spite of pressure from congressional liberals, abolitionists, and free black leaders, he ignored them and for almost …
In June 2022, I visited Charleston, South Carolina for the first time. My niece and her husband planned a family trip to this historic city. They arranged an extensive black history tour with a local tour company. We departed from the Charleston Visitor Center for our two hour tour. Our energetic and knowledgeable guide …
The pain of poverty is what got many people out of poverty. I grew up in the South during The civil rights movement. This decades long movement helped secure equal rights for black people under the law in the United States. Prior to this movement, more people were living in poverty. After the end of …
Many people do not understand, or don’t care to understand the challenges of poor people. Many middle class or rich people may label poor people as “lazy.” The opinions regarding poverty may extend to political parties. Many conservatives believe poverty is the result of poor choices and behaviors. Many liberals believe that choices may …
There are approximately 26.1 million residents living in poverty in the Appalachian regions in the United States. The per capita income is 23% lower than the U.S. average. One in every three people lives in poverty. The Appalachian Regional Development Act can be traced back to President John F. Kennedy. During his campaign for presidency, …
In 1972, I was eighteen years old and voted in the presidential election. This was my first time voting, and I was excited to use the power of the ballot. I grew up during the civil rights era and Black Power movement. I learned that one of the most important rights of American citizens is …
American women have always been involved in politics. They may have been excluded from party membership, voting, or running for office but they were vocal about political issues and participated in party activities. Women in western territories were voting long before the national woman suffrage amendment of 1920. There were so many great women who …
To prepare for this article, I read a book entitled, Women, Politics, And American Society. The book is the third edition and a collaborative effort written by four female authors, Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O’Conner, Laura van Assendelft and Wendy Gunther-Canada. This edition helps readers fully understand women’s struggles by tracing the efforts, achievements, and …
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I grew up in the South during legal segregation. My parents were not able to obtain meaningful employment because of racist Jim Crow laws. They worked on farms, picking and chopping cotton. After the cotton season was over, Dad worked as a day laborer and MaDear worked in private homes. They worked whatever odd jobs …
Black History Month is observed every February, but many people are not familiar with how or why it was created. To understand why it was created, we have to look back to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. As the son of formerly enslaved parents and the second Black American to earn a doctorate from Harvard, Woodson …