The nature of slavery is not always understood. At the time the trade developed, both Africans and Europeans had a tradition of slavery, but the traditions were different. African slavery was a domestic institution. It was necessary to do something with captives of war, criminals, and wrong doers. The African answer was to turn them …
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called Birmingham “the most thoroughly segregated big city in the U.S.” In 1962, a federal court ordered the city to integrate its park. Rather than obey the order, the city closed its parks. The city gave up its professional baseball team rather than play with Black players. Like all Southern …
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Read More »
The antebellum period refers to the years after the War of 1812 and before the Civil War. The era was marked by the development of separate northern and southern economies, westward expansion of the nation, and a spirt of reform. During this time, some black people were considered free, but this freedom was not freedom …
I grew up in the segregated South but read many books. Our school library had volumes of books by influential authors. My parents were poor, but when they could spare extra money, bought some of the books. They believed that it was important to give their children, and all young children, the message that life …
I had never heard of the Slave Trail of Tears until recently. I read and research to prepare information for my blog posts. Sometimes, the research leads me down a path of darkness. Many of us are still searching for answers to questions that continue to trouble us. To understand the history of slavery, I …
I’ll start this blog with a question. What exactly is the Gettysburg Address? We know President Lincoln gave his famous speech at the military cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but what was the significance of his address? It was made during the Civil War and considered one of the greatest speeches in American History. It’s known …
Woodrow Wilson was known as a visionary for peace. He started his life as Thomas Woodrow Wilson because he was named for one of his grandfathers, the Reverend Thomas Woodrow. He was called Tommy throughout his life. His grandfather was a Presbyterian minister and came to the United States from Scotland in 1836. His father, …
Dad spoke frequently about President Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor. Dad served during WWII when Roosevelt was president. He seemed to hold him and his wife in high regard. This encouraged me to read more about this beloved president. Many authors described him as having temperament, personal charm, and luck. He was often referred to …
One of my older brothers was a professional artist. On the weekends, he drew portraits on Beale Street. He was also a musician, he played alto and tenor saxophone. For over 20 years, he was surrounded by the excitement and sounds of Beale Street. He wrote about Beale Street and before he passed, gave me …
Beale Street is a colorful street in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. When I was a child, because of legal segregation, it was the only street where Black people could shop. In return, Black people made the street their own. It was more than a collection of saloons, stores, pawnshops, lodge halls, lawyer’s offices, insurance offices, and …