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A Primer on Black Independence Day

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A Primer on Black Independence Day

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  • Posted By:
    jdylan at 06/21/2008 3:44:02 AM
    Comment:
    This notion of Black Independence Day has me baffled. It marks the day the white man freed the black man "liberated." I don't see what the former slaves did to gain independence other than be slaves. It strikes me more as day to thank the white man for freeing the black man; other wise there would still be slaves. Of course the black man has to learn to forgive the white man for enslaving them in the first place to come to that conclusion. Maybe it would have been better if the slaves truly did free themselves. Perhaps today's black man would truly know what independence is; have a little more pride and there would be no need for any kind of affirmative action. But, it's foolish to spend to much time in the past and many here will just call me a fool because of it. And rightly so. But if you want to thank those ghosts of liberation I'm sure they would gladly reply you're welcome. To call it independence brings nothing but dishonor for those who killed there own brothers, cousins and died as liberators; attempting to right the wrongs of the past.
    • Posted By:
      bravehostdickie at 06/29/2008 8:20:08 AM
      Comment:
      religions and the idea of god are only creations of the mind. Men found it necessary to create the concept of a god as an answer to questions they cannot comprehend or understand. It was always an attitude for men to be resigned to things they cannot control or understand and just be satisfied at laying these to a supposed almighty god/gods who they themselves created in their minds. The saddest part of this is that ardent believers in the idea of a god would not hesitate to act on their own or as an organization to perpetuate the idea, making "miracles, magic, outright foolery, psychological operations" to even murder non-believers. it is my position that if there was a god--omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent--the whole of human history would not have happened as it did! So we should start thinking at solving humanity's problems by ourselves, and we must have faith in ourselves that we can do it without having to "create super entities in our minds".
  • Posted By:
    playdya145 at 06/21/2008 12:46:19 AM
    Comment:
    Well I am not involved in politics, and I am sure that you know why because your grandmother and you grandfather told you that since we are Jehovah's witnesses we remain neutral at all times . Also since everyone on this planet has seen or experienced some form of persecution with me it is that since my parents did not raise me to know or see color in other's we are most important of all we are all human and that is the main point and no human deserves to have to suffer abuse from no other human being. So until we have the promise of Jehovah fulfilled and Jesus comes to rule here on earth and we have that perfect Government that will give everyone equal opportunity to the same as each of us love our neighbors and all humans. Jehovah's said that he would set up a Kingdom Government that will never be brought to ruin and it will stand until time indefinite. We will not build houses and someone else occupies we will have a true and honest Government. Man does not have the ability to rule over man he was not created to live on his own separate from Jehovah's guidance and laws because his laws are moral proper, perfect and all his principles are right. So man has proven time after time his non ability to direct his own step and me personally I am tired of man's greed and no regard for people that are less fortunate than they are but shortly Jehovah will make it right it is sad that people won't except the fact that Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ will set up a true and just Government and everyone will be righteous and have a conscience and we won't ever have to worry about anything anymore.
    • Posted By:
      bravehostdickie at 06/29/2008 8:48:18 AM
      Comment:
      religions and the idea of god are only creations of the mind. Men found it necessary to create the concept of a god as an answer to questions they cannot comprehend or understand. It was always an attitude for men to be resigned to things they cannot control or understand and just be satisfied at laying these to a supposed almighty god/gods who they themselves created in their minds. The saddest part of this is that ardent believers in the idea of a god would not hesitate to act on their own or as an organization to perpetuate the idea, making "miracles, magic, outright foolery, psychological operations" to even murder non-believers. it is my position that if there was a god--omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent--the whole of human history would not have happened as it did! So we should start thinking at solving humanity's problems by ourselves, and we must have faith in ourselves that we can do it without having to "create super entities in our minds".
  • Posted By:
    tfernsle at 06/20/2008 9:01:10 PM
    Comment:
    That's great! I would love to see Juneteenth become a national holiday. Emancipation was a victory for all Americans, and should be treated as such. I think it's easy here to dwell on the injustice dealt to your enslaved ancestors, and that lingers to torment the current generation. But it's hard from the other side too, with a vague lingering sin that just won't go away. Getting a day off work to celebrate this hard-won achievement would allow everyone to participate.
    Really it seems more useful than MLK day, because it would put all black Americans front and center, and not just one man. It would address something that is lacking in the movement to transcend racism in America, which is the opportunity for the rest of us to participate in positive manner without being patronizing or guilt-racked.
  • Posted By:
    majestic at 06/20/2008 12:49:57 AM
    Comment:
    7theTruth! Well spoken. I, myself, have studied Edenic history and have found that to be true. Blacks must turn back to YHWH and realize who He is. It has been written very succinctly in the Word of our fathers and been revealed in Yeshua.

    That's why many continue to destroy and disdain us, including the edenic people ourselves.
  • Posted By:
    DJDOLO37 at 06/19/2008 3:38:41 PM
    Comment:
    TO 30keywest35: What does your comment have to do with Juneteenth?
  • Posted By:
    30keywest35 at 06/19/2008 3:32:57 PM
    Comment:
    be forwarned......obama will not make it 4 years!
    • Posted By:
      majestic at 06/20/2008 12:44:11 AM
      Comment:
      You seem to be making a threat...you know that threatening a public figure is a federal offense? I'm making a report on you. You might be indicted.
  • Posted By:
    Seven_the_truth at 06/19/2008 3:28:48 PM
    Comment:
    What is independence? To believe that anyone whether a person of color, or not how can anyone claim independence when people lack the true understanding of what independence is.

    Is independence going to the grocery store and purchasing produce that has been infested with chemicles, and imported and subjected to radiation for cleansing while removing all nutrients?

    Or is it going out into your own garden and picking your own produce that you toiled to grow?

    Is it paying 3,4 5 dollars for gas to work for someone, at a fraction of the net value you creat for that company?
    Or is it working for yourself when and how you enjoy working?

    Is it paying thousands of dollars to allow a system geared to miseducate you , planned by elite world ruling families, like the Rothschilds, Oppeinheimers, Rockeffelers, etc. expressed in a report done by Abraham Flexner?

    Or is it truly seeking knowledge, understanding, and wisdom from the source, the author of the three?

    Is independence celebrating another step/process in the preplanned to erradicate any rememberance and knowledge of an oppressed people first physically, emotionally, psychologically, and socially?

    Or is it coming to a knowledge of who you truly are as a person and people? Part of a Nation?

    Public Enemy has an album I believ entitled "It takes a nation of millions to hold us back"

    Do you know what a nation is?

    A stable community of people with a territory, history, culture, and language in common...People united under a single government; country.

    Let us remember true Hebrew Israelites.
    Until we return to YHWH, the God of our forefathers, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacom (Israel) we are not nor will we ever be a nation.

    You so called African American, so called negro, just by definition alone, we have ceased to be a nation when our forefathers disobeyed YHWH, and we their descendents still live under the punishment of perpetual disobedience. We also have never been, and can never be apart of this nation, for we are not apart of the people of this nation.

    And please research why we are not African Americans nor Africans, who the name derived from a roman general, which later became the name of the north most part of what is called Africa, which was a roman province, and later the name became attributed to all the continent and people of (Edenic) the true name of the African continent.

    Let us not forget
    "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
    Ephesians 6:12

    Shalom
    For research information, speaking engagements, seminars/classes, teachings please contact.

    Seven_the_truth@Hotmail.com
    • Posted By:
      bravehostdickie at 06/29/2008 8:44:10 AM
      Comment:
      The idea of a god is only a creation of mind, a refuge, a psychological answer to things men cannot comprehend or answer. If it is true that a god exists (an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent god), human history would not have happened as it did! so i think we have to start thinking and answering our problems ourselves.
  • Posted By:
    DJDOLO37 at 06/19/2008 3:06:03 PM
    Comment:
    The sad, sad truth of the responses to this article is that regardless of how so many of us claim to be "colorblind" to not see color, to think one race is asking for freebies due to the horrible treatment of their past, the fact remains that America is a scarred racially divided country. The true issue is that of understanding. The issue is the lack of knowledge for other cultures which are not the majority.

    I have read rant after rant about how whites shouldn't have to constantly be apologetic of the actions of their ancestors. To this I agree. A white man that is alive in this century cannot possible be held accountavle for the actions of slavery. However you can be held accountable for your own actions. If whites were complete seperated from slavery the Klan, Neo-***, any group based upon the terrorism of races would be destroyed. I know all whites are not to blame yet the few that are should be held accountable for those actions along with Jim Crow, Segregation, and Racial Profiling.

    Meanwhile Africans in America, we need to address the issue that our problems are not 100% derivitive of these actions. In fact we hold a lot to blame on our own. The beauty of celebrations and observations such as Juneteenth, MLK Day, and Kwanzaa is beyond an aspect of Black Righteousnes. It is also recognized and a movement of Black Responsibilty. The true meaning of the bastardized term "Black Liberation". We use these events to remind our disinfranchised people that they are greater than they realize. It's not a movement to seperate ourselves from teh nation. It's in fact an invitation to those who would love to know more about our race.

    I assure anyone who reads this comment that there is a very small percentage of Black Americans who do not love this country. In fact with all we go through daily we still won't leave. I have been through the Civil Rights movement, I grew up in post-segregated Georgia, I have marched with a million of my brothers to unite our men. I have hands on knowledge of lynchings, been the victim of racial attacks and abuse, Katrina, a witness to the wrongful deaths of Sean Bell, Timothy Stansburry, Emmitt Teale, anmd the Beating of Rodney King and I still love this country. Many of us go through the same and feel the same. The Asians remeber concentration camps during WWII, yet they still love this country. Native Americans (my other ancestors) remember and still live on reservations but they still love our nation. Muslims are being persecuted as terrorist injustly, yet they still love this country WE AS AMERICANS LOVE AMERICA.

    So please because on of our many beautiful cultures has a celebration within its self do not spew hatred against it. Do not pretend to be colorblind, recognize the differences and embrace them, love other for them, and most importantly respect them.

    But what do I know I'm just a Dj...
  • Posted By:
    Omni at 06/19/2008 3:05:11 PM
    Comment:
    The civil war was not fought to free the slaves as some of the members on this board seem to suggest. The war was fought to preserve the Union and the slaves were only freed to cripple the souths economy by destroying its labor base
    • Posted By:
      Mr. Jefferson at 06/20/2008 1:47:58 PM
      Comment:
      Finally, a voice of reason...and truth!
  • Posted By:
    Ocean Dr at 06/19/2008 1:53:42 PM
    Comment:
    First off let me just state for the record that I???m a black American woman who celebrates pretty much any positive holiday. St. Patrick???s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, Halloween etc. I???m Christian and I even break bread with my Jewish friends. I have a boyfriend from South America and I have one best friend who is black and the other one is white. The point I???m trying to make is who cares what any of your comments has to do with some people wanting to celebrate some American history. Why are some of you mad because some people want to celebrate a positive thing? Then why are some people trying to make it a Federal Holiday? And for those of you who think blacks are the only people in America who are poor my suggestion is to get out of the boondocks or the back woods and see that there are white and black homeless poor people everywhere in this country. I live in Miami and I see this everyday. I use to live in the Midwest it???s there too. I lived in Hawaii, guest what it???s there too. And I don???t even what to start with the comment Mr. Jefferson said about blacks need to stop blaming whitey for everything. I don???t know any black person in my family are that I know rather that blames whitey for things. We all know that pretty much we have to work 10 times harder then the ???whitey??? because that???s just how this country is.

    All of you all need to celebrate your own history and others history, this is America people this country is build on different cultures.

  • Posted By:
    Mr. Mojo Risin at 06/19/2008 1:34:11 PM
    Comment:
    jolllyroger should get back aboard his pirate ship and sail into the sunset where hopefully he will go down with his sinking ideology. What an insidiuous, insipid, and ludicris non-argument he would make. Hmm. I think I recognize that concoction: It was what clogged up my toilet recently.
    • Posted By:
      HopeIsNear at 06/19/2008 1:40:32 PM
      Comment:
      LOL@ your entire comment. Thank was pure comedy.
  • Posted By:
    LadyJustice333 at 06/19/2008 1:25:37 PM
    Comment:
    I wonder if people are upset because a certain race/ethnic group have much to celebrate or if they feel a certain race/ethnic group of citizens are too spoiled and have enough recognition through benefits, holidays, "preferential treatment" etc. I feel that the "ROOT" of the controversy of having a black independance day derives from media's portrayal of what is allowed to represent any American citizen.
    For example, the author of this article probably knew they would cause controversy by titling it "A Primer on Black Independance Day." Of course one would get upset if they feel that Blacks get too much recognition for their distorted history. The other immigrants who travelled here NOT as slaves still experienced discrimination. So why shouldn't they have a holiday, independance day, civil rights act or what have you? The problem may lie in who feels that they do not get enough credit for putting up with America's BS better than the next group of American citizens.
    Or, is it just the fact that this article was posted with an intention to anger its readers or "wake them up." It seems to be more of an editorial which in turn is usually the opinion of the author or perspective of the publisher. So maybe one should not allow themselves to be upset that the author portrayed a certain point of view. Every person who commented knows his/her ethnic history because America takes pride in its diverse population.
    Therefore, the reader must decide who to really pinpoint their anger towards. The media has everything to do with it. The media targets groups of individuals based on issues that would derive EMOTION out of them to create booming sales, negative reports and American patriotism about an issue. However, what some citizens don't want to admit is that we all want to be lazy, spoiled, and get praised for changing the world (i.e. the role portrayed of celebrities). Yet CHANGE is really what citizens are afraid of, good or bad.
  • Posted By:
    LadyJustice333 at 06/19/2008 1:22:47 PM
    Comment:
    I wonder if people are upset because a certain race/ethnic group have much to celebrate or if they feel a certain race/ethnic group of citizens are too spoiled and have enough recognition through benefits, holidays, "preferential treatment" etc. I feel that the "ROOT" of the controversy of having a black independance day derives from media's portrayal of what is allowed to represent any American citizen.
    For example, the author of this article probably knew they would cause controversy by titling it "A Primer on Black Independance Day." Of course one would get upset if they feel that Blacks get too much recognition for their distorted history. The other immigrants who travelled here NOT as slaves still experienced discrimination. So why shouldn't they have a holiday, independance day, civil rights act or what have you? The problem may lie in who feels that they do not get enough credit for putting up with America's BS better than the next group of American citizens.
    Or, is it just the fact that this article was posted with an intention to anger its readers or "wake them up." It seems to be more of an editorial which in turn is usually the opinion of the author or perspective of the publisher. So maybe one should not allow themselves to be upset that the author portrayed a certain point of view. Every person who commented knows his/her ethnic history because America takes pride in its diverse population.
    Therefore, the reader must decide who to really pinpoint their anger towards. The media has everything to do with it. The media targets groups of individuals based on issues that would derive EMOTION out of them to create booming sales, negative reports and American patriotism about an issue. However, what some citizens don't want to admit is that we all want to be lazy, spoiled, and get praised for changing the world (i.e. celebrities). Yet CHANGE is really what citizens are afraid of, good or bad.
  • Posted By:
    Jewels at 06/19/2008 12:56:16 PM
    Comment:
    It very well should become a "National Holiday" and I believe one day it will be.

    It not only should be a day of celebration but also a day of commemorating for those who have come and gone before us. And, let's not forget, who have lost their lives in paving our way straighter. It ought to be very mindful of this "Truth." For this too is our legacy!

    They'll always be people who don't and won't agree with the "Beauty of Our Blackness" I enjoy calling it! Just look at the trilogy of our current campaign...

    Thank you for allowing me to share my inner-most voice.

    Best Regards...
  • Posted By:
    Jewels at 06/19/2008 12:55:22 PM
    Comment:
    It very well should become a "National Holiday" and I believe one day it will be.

    It not only should be a day of celebration but also a day of commenorating for those who have come and gone before us. And, let's not forget, who have lost their lives in paving our way straigher. It ought to be very mindful of this "Truth." For this too is our legacy!

    They'll always be people who don't and won't agree with the "Beauty of Our Blackness" I enjoy calling it! Just look at the trilogy of our current campaign...

    Thank you for allowing me to share my inner-most voice.

    Best Regards...
  • Posted By:
    Obom at 06/19/2008 12:53:19 PM
    Comment:
    I was born in 1941, and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Black History in the public school system of the time was "Lincoln freed the Slaves". No other information passed my eyes until the 1960s. When I heard about Junteenth-I was in San Antonio, Texas. At the time, 1981, I felt that the Whites had pulled another brutal trick on the (enslaved) Blacks. I couldn't reason how non of them got wind of emancipation-and thus it would have spread across Texas-and caused uprisings, etc. But they would have been inspired to DO something to win their freedom. Being raised in the North (Detroit) I already had been impressed with 'culture shock'-the ways of race relations there in the South. I witnessed subrevient social interactions of locally raised Blacks to Whites. I listened to them whine about 'The White Man' and how HE would deny the 'Black Man' an opportunity, etc. When I spoke up that they needed to stop whining and make themselves better qualified and work harder...like James Brown also said; "I don't want nobody to give me nothing; Open the door and I'll get it myself". Well, I was ridiculed and told I didn't understand. Soon, I figured they were gullible now, so they must have been gullible back then. So, they went for the BS, and the Slave Captors got some more free labor and a few crops in. To me, this was something like having a criminally insane relative in the family, you just don't talk about it. Thus Juneteenth was-to me-ridiculous to celebrate. Today, I am simply indifferent. Enjoy whatever!
  • Posted By:
    mrjohnarnold at 06/19/2008 12:47:46 PM
    Comment:
    Putting things in perspective... It is a shame that it will take another generation or two to reduce racism that raises it's ugly head. Juneteenth is a good way of remembering our roots in this country. We are not a one race of people but a
    collection of individuals who over time have either come or brought to this country. We must not judge a person by the amount of pigmentation in their skin. Fear and a corrupted heart is what creates racism. I am a mix of cherokee, french, german. It is the work of forces both civil and spiritual that would keep a certain class of people down. We need to overcome our fears and open up to those around us and tear down the walls that seperate us.
    I believe this is happening, but it is a slow process that requires steadfastness. It starts by respecting each other, healing the heart of hate and prayer !!
    johnarnold@yahoo.com
  • Posted By:
    acf at 06/19/2008 12:43:53 PM
    Comment:
    I personaly believe that juneteenth should be a national holiday. Texas slaves were the only ones who didn't know that they were free so therefore, it should be a Texan holiday. If the government make it a national holiday, that's like taking something that isn't theirs.
  • Posted By:
    IBringTheTruth at 06/19/2008 12:42:26 PM
    Comment:
    Webser- I laugh at that because you just went against your own statement. You state that everyone has their own opinions, and then a few words later you state that people shouldn't shove "horse-scat" down other people's throats. Isn't that 100% what you are doing? Did you just prove my point? Wow, thank you for making it easier on me. . .

    And yes, I value all opinions - even the ones I don't agree with. But don't use your own selective history to prove that people shouldn't use selective history. If you want to have a true debate- at least don't disprove your own logic before anyone gets a chance to respond. It makes it a little one sided and I bore easily.
  • Posted By:
    HopeIsNear at 06/19/2008 12:40:37 PM
    Comment:
    Posted By:
    cmoore58 at 06/19/2008 11:15:46 AM
    Comment:
    Black, Black, Black, Black, Black. I am sick of. it I never owed a slave, never was a slave and if you hate the USA then get out. Nobobidy wants you. Stop rubbing your tone om an millions of others.

    You obviously hate us. And, nobody can do anything about that. You are old enough to have made up your mind that you don't like Blacks.

    I am here to tell you, WE AIN"T GOING NOWHERE!!! We are American just like you. We have families just like you. Hey we might be cousin's, you never know. I love you cousin even though you hate my skin tone.

    Happy Juneteenth Day!!!
  • Posted By:
    stownsell at 06/19/2008 12:40:19 PM
    Comment:
    Like stated below there was a reason for this blog. Everyone here is anonymous and will say whatever they want to say to make anyone on here mad, but I still beleive that we all need to learn about all histories weather your own or others, we are all here and will be here until we die. Celebrate life, Celebrate you, Celebrate, your culture, my culture, his or her culture, celebrate the knowledge of knowing that the web helps people argue points which in turn still gets many others to celebrate as well. I love it!!!!
  • Posted By:
    IBringTheTruth at 06/19/2008 12:35:30 PM
    Comment:
    And just to state this - no one has ever won an arguement on the internet. Instead, take the time to celebrate the fact that some very stupid people took the time to read this article and maybe some of it sunk in. They posted dumb comments, but you know what - they took the time to read it. Step one.

    Aside from that- celebrate your history. We ALL owe our ancestors for where we are today. No one can deny that. Take the time to reflect on that and go out and have some BBQ. And while you soak in the celebration - take a lesson home for your children. They will be the next in line to carry on your legacy and that of our history.
  • Posted By:
    webser11111 at 06/19/2008 12:33:49 PM
    Comment:
    Ibringthetruth, your an idiot because as usual you ignored the facts in what was written and just heard the opinion. I have every right to give my opinion and if you don't like it, you have every right to disagree and give your own opinion. However, that does not make Your opinion right. Call me an idiot, thats fine, BUT ACCEPT THE FACTS. STOP TRYING TO SHOVE YOUR OPPRESSED HORSE**** DOWN EVERYONE'S THROATS AND THEN I WON'T BE OFFENDED BY IT!!!!!!! Have a grand holiday
  • Posted By:
    DonnyBaker69 at 06/19/2008 12:33:42 PM
    Comment:
    I'm a school teacher in an almost all white part of rural Arkansas. I've taught my kids about Juneteenth, but I first talk about it around Sept. 22, which is when the Emancipation Proclaimation was made. It makes for interesting conversation since most of them have had little or no exposure to Afro-American culture of any kind. This was a great article and I'll consider the discussions as well.
    • Posted By:
      Mr. Jefferson at 06/19/2008 4:23:10 PM
      Comment:
      DonnyBaker: When you teach your kids about the Emancipation Proclamation, do you tell them that it only applied to land NOT controlled by the Union? Do you tell them that it did not, in fact, free all of the slaves, but was rather a military tactic designed to promote and/or provoke slave insurrections in the South? If you still want to believe that Lincoln was the "Great Emancipator", then you should read his first inaugural address (3rd paragraph) where he says: "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them;..."

      Do you also tell them about Black slaveowners, Black plantation owners and Black merchants and landowners who both fought in the Confederate Army (voluntarily!) and gave their entire fortunes in support and defense of the Confederacy? If not, then you are not teaching them anything but the feel-good politics of political correctness and liberal fantasy.
  • Posted By:
    stownsell at 06/19/2008 12:32:23 PM
    Comment:
    Yay for everyone on earth Damn be happy that we are all living and have things to look back on and learn about!!!!
  • Posted By:
    IBringTheTruth at 06/19/2008 12:27:35 PM
    Comment:
    Well, I am done posting here because I just can't grasp how ignorant people can be. Wenser11111 (by the way, adding tons of numbers to a name is the internet version of wearing a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt to work), you really need to just spend some time reading what you said. You sounds pretty dumb. Yes, history will always be selective - but stating that blacks should have just beat up their owners and moved on is just a bucket of stupid. Good for you for taking your 3rd grade logic and mixing it with a high school education. If that was the case - why are you not the president of your company? All you have to do is just take up arms and kill your boss. The fact that you haven;t done so means (by your logic) that you are weak and a complainer. And don't state the "that is different" arguement. They run right along with each other. You honestly thing that a group of people could just take a shovel and beat people that have guns and then problem solved? What happens when someone finds out? No punishment? Slave owners would just say "well, they made their point - see you guys later!"? So, go ahead and use your logic. Shoot your boss and have a better life. Good job on proving that people have a long way to go before they have any real intelligence on life.
    • Posted By:
      Mr. Jefferson at 06/20/2008 2:54:54 PM
      Comment:
      Actually, you're both wrong. There were many slave revolts over the years:

      1712 New York Slave Revolt
      1739 Stono Rebellion
      1791-1804 Haitian Revolution (led by slaves in Haiti but had nothing to do with U.S. slavery)
      1800 Gabriel Prosser (Suppressed)
      1805 Chatham Manor
      1811 Charles Deslondes (Suppressed)
      1815 George Boxley (Suppressed)
      1822 Denmark Vesey (Suppressed)
      1831 Nat Turner's rebellion
      1839 Amistad (had nothing to do with U.S. slavery)
      1856 Pottawatomie Massacre
      1859 John Brown (this one is actually now disputed by many historians as to its true purpose)
  • Posted By:
    wordsandsuch at 06/19/2008 12:27:34 PM
    Comment:
    Very comprehensive article, but a little too "PC" for my taste. I think it is important that we acknowledge that Juneteenth signaled the last of the states to recognize the emancipation proclamation and finally free their captives. Texas refused to acknowledge Lincoln's proclamation, the confederates loss of the Civil War and basically continued to commit treason until June 19, 1865 2 months after the official end of the civil war. Also, the reason their are other emancipation dates across the country also have to do with state law not federal, since many states in the union emancipated slave even before the civil war. But in an act of solidarity I believe it is righteous that decendents of slaves in America celebrate the date when at last all slaves were freed. It still seems odd to me that all Americans don't celebrate this moment when America made it's first attempt right a horrific wrong that had been committed legally for over 400 years and finally moving toward the romantic and grandeous principles of the declaration of independence and the constitution itself. It seems to me that this day is more America's Independence Day than July 4th --since it wasn't until June 19, 1865 that all Americans were actually made free and independent and thus given the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!
  • Posted By:
    shala williams at 06/19/2008 12:26:36 PM
    Comment:
    This is a response to the first comment. I am a person who was brought up to see people instead of their color, but soon realized that there are many people who "only" see color. I have also celebrated Juneteeth all of my life. It is a "peaceful", religious and meaningful day of celebration. It is not a time to evoke feelings of hatred or a time to exhibit racist views. This is a lot different than displaying a flag which is more often than not, a symbol of racism and the belief that other human beings are less than equal. Sometimes there are parts of a person's "ROOTS" that are less than dignified. I don't understand why some people have such a problem because people choose to celebrate certain "positive" things in their culture. If you choose to have, within your family or community, a "peaceful" cultural celebration, I doubt that people would really care. That would certainly not cause me to resort to an angry place where I start to think horrible thoughts about all people of a certain race. But I guess that is a pro to being brought up by a non-racist family.
  • Posted By:
    Just Bee at 06/19/2008 12:25:04 PM
    Comment:
    Wow. There is a lot of anger and where there is anger there can be no healing. If we keep looking behind us we can not see the promise of tomorrow. Yes, looking at our past can provide us perspective but not if we look at a limited timeframe. Look around you, slavery existed even in roman times and it still exists today in many forms. For those of us who do not live under the tyrany of another we are morally obligated to help those who are still suffering. Each and every one of us have the opportunity to make one step closer towards true freedom. A freedom from the binds of race, religion, abilities and orientations. God put us all on this earth together to emulate Him. We have lost our compasion on our way to being "right".

    It is hard to strech from our preconcieved notions and reach out to someone who at first glance is not like you. It has been my experience that like physically stretching the more you do it the easier it becomes. Yes, there are some hard days (like when my son was called a Cracker) but from the hard times there can be great learning. Understanding that those who use diragrigtory remarks against others hate themselves as much as they hate others and we should show even more love towards them for their soul needs it. Most people do not know of the double meaning of Jesus's "offer the other cheek"... On the first (back handed) slap you are treated caleously and as a lesser being but by offering the other cheek you are offered the other side of the hand (palm) wich is tender and is a sign of equality.

    As far as Juneteenth - I think it's a great idea. But why not celebrate it on a day that it was officially acted upon (Declaration of Emancipation). If we wait until we are all free from the ties that bind it may take while (as some are still bound in thought - generations later). Heck, celebrate it everyday. I think there is still a lot of prejudice going on today in America. I think God created Katrina to prove a point. What have YOU done to help?

    I hope one day America will look like my family a blending of origins, beliefs and orientations. We may not get along 100% of the time but we all agree that everyone has a right to be treated fairly. When God created the world he used ALL the colors because he loves them all.
  • Posted By:
    Ms.Reason at 06/19/2008 12:23:32 PM
    Comment:
    I am from NJ, I never even heard of Juneteenth If we as Americans celebrate our independence from England why can't African Americans celebrate their freedom if they choose to? It is funny how reading all the comments you find such ignorant Americans, mostly white I guess. Surprising people with college degrees believing that black folks are the only poor people in America ?!!? are you kidding me that must have been a joke. We should have holidays set aside to remember all the people who have made this country what it is, Native American day, white american day (Columbus day),....and so on
  • Posted By:
    Willie05 at 06/19/2008 12:23:15 PM
    Comment:
    We need to remember that Major David A. Hunter, Commander of three States: Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, freed the slaves in those states on March 9, 1862.. I tried years ago to get the state of Florida to recognize this bit of history but no one wanted to deal with it at that time.
  • Posted By:
    gilamonster0001 at 06/19/2008 12:22:27 PM
    Comment:
    What's next? A gay blacks national holiday? How about instead of fathers day we have a " My Baby Daddy Day" ? Come on people, this is the 21st. century. The slavery crap is all over with. Get on with your lives. Juneteenth is cool if you want to celebrate it, no problem. I'm just sick of hearing " look what whitey done to me" crap. If the negroes can't put all this behind them and go on with their lives, then what is it exactly that you want whitey to do? I don't know anyone here on earth that owns a slave. Do you? What is in the past is history. No one can change that. I'm not sorry for something I didn't have a hand in doing. We aren't a color here, we are however all earthlings.
  • Posted By:
    livin at 06/19/2008 12:20:29 PM
    Comment:
    wow! I cant beleive that "jollyroger is not ashamed of how stupid he is. congrats on finishing community college and moving on to manage Wendy's!
    know what your talking about before making extra dumb comments. oh p.s. while your in the breakroom looking at this the fries are burning you dont hear the beeping.
  • Posted By:
    TSTL at 06/19/2008 12:20:15 PM
    Comment:
    Well jolleyroger I am black and I am an a American so I am HOME. This is my homeland. As far as your taxes I know many people black white and other who get assistance and still cant make ends meet and they work their bums off! You got money to throw around throw it at some congress men to get minimum wage up and better education programs in all areas not just urban areas! I do not have a degree at all but have been working on it for a while, maybe I make more money than you! And I have to burst your bubble but whites were the first slave it seems some of your ancestors were just that lazy the imprisonsed thier own to do work for them. I love all people of any color and you want to be suck in the past of ignorance maybe you should take your money and find a way back o those times. You are about to have a BLACK president! We were bred to succeed, to not let anyone stand in the way of our dreams, and to make racists like you hide your true colors out in public because you are afraid of greatness. Do Not judge a race by the few people you have met people always surprise you! My mother always said ignorage is bliss so you must be a happy little man!
  • Posted By:
    itoldu at 06/19/2008 12:20:00 PM
    Comment:
    This comment is a response to Mr. Jefferson's comment
    Yes! Black Slave Traders sold and enslaved black people, however, many white people took extreme forms of torture and punishment to control slaves. If you take a look throughout history of the past American Slavery was the worst form of human cruelty because it lasted for almost 5 Centuries. The Black Codes and the Jim Crow Laws being enforced for almost 100 years after the Civil War.
    • Posted By:
      Mr. Jefferson at 06/19/2008 4:30:07 PM
      Comment:
      Nice try, itoldu, but I'm not buying it. My heritage is Irish, and our patron Saint was a slave...guess what? You don't hear us crying about it and demanding reparations. You think blacks were the only ones sold into slavery? Slavery has existed for thousands of years, and has been visited upon many different peoples. In fact, it is STILL practiced in Africa today! Open your eyes, and your mind. Understand that if you make yourself a victim, you will be exactly that. By the way, which state continued to build slave ships at a record pace until the late 1880s? Give up? New York. Don't believe me, look it up for yourself. There is much you obviously don't know about slavery or your own heritage, so please don't criticize me because I point out a fact that you don't like.
  • Posted By:
    acf at 06/19/2008 12:19:01 PM
    Comment:
    I personaly believe that Obama dosen't need to make it a national holiday. The rest of the country knew that they were free because of the emancipation proclamation. If you think about it, Texas slaves were the only ones who didn't know they were free. All I'm saying is this is a Texan holiday and it needs to stay a Texan holiday.
  • Posted By:
    Seven_the_truth at 06/19/2008 12:18:54 PM
    Comment:
    To everyone posting and reading.
    Until those of you who are true Hebrew Israelites come to the understanding that the Torah, Bible, scriptures were and are written about us. We are the people of the scriptures.

    We are the people (tribe of Yehuda/Judah) brought to the west (America's, West Indies, Carribeans, etc) through the mid atlantic slave trade, and scattered throughout the world.
    Genesis 15:13-16
    "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years,;
    And also that nation whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
    And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
    But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full."
    We are the descendants of Abraham, with whom the covenant was made. We are those who will be partakers of the covenant made with our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel).
    We as a people do not know who we are, and many of us refuse to acknowledge who we are.
    NOTHING or NO ONE can save, help, or free us, for all these curses were brought on us by YHWH Himself written about in the book of Deuteronomy.
    So when Deuteronomy 28:68 says
    "And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt (in hebrew means bondage) again with SHIPS (boats), by the way whereof I spake unto thee, THou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you."
    This is speaking of our peoples slavery here in the america's and islands etc. Historically there have been no other people of the face of the earth who have been taken as slaves (not indentured servants) in ships, except the true Hebrew Israelites. Reading will help you understand that all of the curses written about in Deuteronomy have been placed on us as a people
    Deuteronomy 30:1-7
    Romans 8:19,21-23
    Romans 11:1-5, 7-15
    ???I say then, hath YAH cast away his people? God forbid...YAH hath not cast away his people which he foreknew....(According as it is written), YAH hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day... For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?"

    So know and understand what Revelation 2:9, and 3:9 is saying to you, me and the world.
    12:1-2
    I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of YAH, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto YAH, which is your reasonable service.
    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of YHWH!
    Shalom
    For information, speaking engagements, and/or teaching/classes contact:
    Seven_The_Truth@hotmail.com
    • Posted By:
      Mr. Jefferson at 06/20/2008 1:59:27 PM
      Comment:
      Really? No other people taken into slavery by ships? I presume by your "hebrew israelite" moniker you mean black people. Well, it may surprise you to learn this, but poor English folks and Irish folks were taken into slavery both to and from Ireland for hundreds of years, until at least the late 1300s. As there were no airplanes, hot air balloons or chunnels, guess how they got back and forth? That's right, SHIPS! Not sure what kind of seminars you give, but you might want to re-tool them a little bit.
  • Posted By:
    stownsell at 06/19/2008 12:18:31 PM
    Comment:
    I really just feel that as a whole we all will have our own views on what shoudl be celebrated, what things should be called, what is illegal and whatever else, but in reality like one stated before we have our own history but in order to learn more about ourselves we need to learn about others as well. We are all people here on this place we call earth and as stated before will die as people since we are born to do so. Celebrate life and the knowledge of knowing what you know Damn!!Many aren't so privaleged to know their own name if anything at all. Junteenth Should Be Celebrated always, July Fourth will always be a national holiday, everyone will have their own celbrations based on their Heritage just let it be please..to all those whom I may have made comments too this goes for you as well I don't care if you don't like blacks or if you feel your race is better then the rest so be it but know that we are all still living together in the same world as one human race, just with many difference!!!!!!!!!Thanks Yall!!!
  • Posted By:
    webser11111 at 06/19/2008 12:16:38 PM
    Comment:
    Relax guys, do not bring logic or facts into this. Our grand plan of keeping down the black man is almost here. I sincerly hope that Obama wins the election and when ABSOLUTELY nothing changes for blacks in this country, then maybe they will shut up about how unfair life is because they are blacks. Probably not.
    Other historical tidbit:
    A. Lincoln had clearly acknowledged that the history of enslavement in this country would forever seperate the two races. His plan was to send the freed slaves back to Africa. This was carried out to a certain extent, Liberia was the home to many freed repatriated American slaves. And with this new found freedom, look how wonderful that country is today.
    Apparently John Brown never attempted to start a revolution in the 1850's to stop slavery in Virginia.
    Apparently Harriet Tubman literally was the underground railroad and choo choo'd the escaped slaves to freedom on her back, without any help from whites at all.
    The selective history will go on forever. And if anybody really wants to get to the heart of the matter, blacks would not have remained enslaved for so long if they ever had the courage to put a shovel in the skull of their overseers' and FIGHT for their freedom as every other enslaved race had done throughout history.
  • Posted By:
    SpoiledRoots at 06/19/2008 12:12:22 PM
    Comment:
    Mr. Jefferson: Good comment! Wonder where we would have been had the South won!! I wish they had!
    • Posted By:
      TSTL at 06/19/2008 12:25:29 PM
      Comment:
      If the south had won we would not be the great counrty we are today! Someone would have nuked the ingnorant jerks long time ago!
  • Posted By:
    IBringTheTruth at 06/19/2008 12:11:31 PM
    Comment:
    Guys - STOP THINKING THAT CELEBRATING YOUR HERITAGE IS RACIST OR OLD FASHIONED!!!! My god, have you lost sight of history? Why celebrate July 4th if it means that English people will be offended (plenty of English people died on our soil). Why not cut out Columbus Day (he didn;t even discover America - missed it by a few hundred miles....). Why not cut out St. Patricks Day (non- Irish people shouldn;t celebrate being different!). All those who state the Juneteenth is just another holiday to celebrate "how bad blacks have it" and that "white people are holding them down" just sound stupid. You celebrate the date because it is the day that America officially stopped slavery and freed thousands of slaves. If anything, it should inspire you black Americans to realize that they have a debt to pay to those early freed slaves that endured the pain and suffering. It should be a motivator, not an excuse. It is a proud day, just like any other day celebrated by another race or culture. White, Black, Cuban, Asian, Indian - whatever. If you celebrate your history, you simply connect yourself to those who faught to get you there.
  • Posted By:
    Seven_the_truth at 06/19/2008 12:11:27 PM
    Comment:
    To everyone posting and reading.
    Until those of you who are true Hebrew Israelites come to the understanding that the Torah, Bible, scriptures were and are written about us. e are the people (tribe of Yehuda/Judah) brought to the west (America's, West Indies, Carribeans, etc) through the mid atlantic slave trade, and scattered throughout the world.
    Genesis 15:13-16
    "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years,;
    And also that nation whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance."
    We are the descendants of Abraham, with whom the covenant was made. We are those who will be partakers of the covenant made with our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel).
    We as a people do not know who we are, and many of us refuse to acknowledge who we are.
    NOTHING or NO ONE can save, help, or free us, for all these curses were brought on us by YHWH Himself written about in the book of Deuteronomy.
    So when Deuteronomy 28:68 says
    "And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt (in hebrew means bondage) again with SHIPS (boats), by the way whereof I spake unto thee, THou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you."
    This is speaking of our peoples slavery here in the america's and islands etc. Historically there have been no other people of the face of the earth who have been taken as slaves (not indentured servants) in ships, except the true Hebrew Israelites. Reading will help you understand that all of the curses written about in Deuteronomy have been placed on us as a people
    Deuteronomy 30:1-7

    Romans 11:1-5, 7-15
    ???I say then, hath YAHthe dead?"
    So know and understand

    2:9 "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."

    12:1-2
    I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of YAH, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto YAH, which is your reasonable service.
    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of YHWH!
    Shalom
    For information, speaking engagements, and/or teaching/classes contact:
    Seven_The_Truth@hotmail.com
  • Posted By:
    ChrysyB at 06/19/2008 12:09:49 PM
    Comment:
    I'm a transplanted Texan originally from Ohio. I did not hear of Juneteenth until I moved to Houston, Texas because they celebrate it here with such zeal. At first, I did not understand how anyone could celebrate being freed 2 years after other slaves were freed, and thought it kind of "backwards" in it's own way. However, as you attend the celebrations, barbeques, church events, etc. surrounding the events, it reminds you of the resilicency that African Americans have had since we first reached the shores of America. We were sold into slavery by our Black Ancestors of Africa to the European countries (white men), who had a powerful thirst for land, expansion and commerce. They had slaves in those European countries that were not Black as well. The whole issue here is that by nature, people of the European descent were always greedy and always used people like their own lower class, the American Indians, and African Americans to get ahead. Our posture is to not allow them to take our dignity, pride, and ability to rise about all circumstances and even them. I am who I want to be, aim to be, will be. No European descendent has anything to do with that. Celebrating Juneteenth is a reminder of who we were, who we are now, and where we are headed! Thank's to this site for letting us express ourselves.

    C. Brown
    Houston, TX
  • Posted By:
    ddotson at 06/19/2008 12:09:03 PM
    Comment:
    What you have Martain Luther King day now you want a "Black Independence Day" And you also now have a Black man running for President What else do you want? I say enough is enough and I vote out who ever purpose such a day!
  • Posted By:
    lemontwist at 06/19/2008 12:08:16 PM
    Comment:
    While much of what the author says is true, the fact of our liberation from slavery needs to be remembered and celebrated. No, we did not free ourselves and yes, our freedom would probably happened eventually. Nevertheless freedom, even in its primitive stages is better than physical bondage. We need toremeber that.
  • Posted By:
    Bookworm at 06/19/2008 12:08:14 PM
    Comment:
    In response to the comment from gdwest3150:
    "There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the U.S. at this very hour?"

    Ancient Greece and Persia, The Roman Conquests, The Spanish Inquisition, Nazi Germany (11 million brutally murdered), Russia under Stalin (20 million brutally murdered), Saddam Hussein (do I really have to explain that guy?), Mao Tse Tung (an estimated 70 million victims) Darfur (300,000 murdered to date - ongoing genocide), Rwanda (1 million murdered), the Japanse invasions/wars in China in the 1930s, the list goes on and on. Please read some books before making such asinine statements. There is not a single nation of savages, but a world full of them.
    • Posted By:
      Mr. Jefferson at 06/20/2008 2:03:26 PM
      Comment:
      Nice post, Bookworm. It's funny to me how many people on this forum seem to believe that history only goes back to 1) the selective event they are using to make their point and then jumps forward to 2) the extent of their own personal memories.
  • Posted By:
    mtw at 06/19/2008 12:08:06 PM
    Comment:
    Interesting history lesson, I truely enjoyed reading it and learing the beginnings of "Juneteenth." However, not at all comparable to July Fourth when the Declaration of Independence was officailly adopted. Without it, and great folks in this country of all colors and creeds striving to attain the ideals set forth in this beautifuyl document this site, post, and Juneteenth not even remotely possible. For all those interested, please read.

    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

    That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
  • Posted By:
    Mr. Jefferson at 06/19/2008 12:02:57 PM
    Comment:
    Actually, black slave traders enslaved black people, then sold them to whites and others. Why do you not mention Black slaveowners in your story or in your posts? For example, did you know that it was a Black slaveowner that established the legal precedent that a human being could own another human being in the Colonies in the late 1600s? Most of you people cherry pick historical tidbits that reinforce whatever point you want to make, while either being ignorant of, or worse, totally ignoring other more pertinent historical fact.
    • Posted By:
      SpoiledRoots at 06/19/2008 12:14:07 PM
      Comment:
      Mr. Jefferson: I like your comment. I wonder where this country would be had the SOUTH WON!!?? Hmmm less debt perhaps??
  • Posted By:
    chezcrisden at 06/19/2008 12:01:13 PM
    Comment:
    this is very interesting should be a movie.
  • Posted By:
    notracist at 06/19/2008 12:01:09 PM
    Comment:
    Below is some history that everyone needs to read black and white:

    In an 1856 letter to his wife Mary Custis Lee, Robert E. Lee called slavery "a moral and political evil." Yet he concluded that black slaves were immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially and physically.
    The fact is large numbers of free Negroes owned black slaves; in fact, in numbers disproportionate to their representation in society at large. In 1860 only a small minority of whites owned slaves. According to the U.S. census report for that last year before the Civil War, there were nearly 27 million whites in the country. Some eight million of them lived in the slaveholding states.
    The census also determined that there were fewer than 385,000 individuals who owned slaves (1). Even if all slaveholders had been white, that would amount to only 1.4 percent of whites in the country (or 4.8 percent of southern whites owning one or more slaves).
    In the rare instances when the ownership of slaves by free Negroes is acknowledged in the history books, justification centers on the claim that black slave masters were simply individuals who purchased the freedom of a spouse or child from a white slaveholder and had been unable to legally manumit them. Although this did indeed happen at times, it is a misrepresentation of the majority of instances, one which is debunked by records of the period on blacks who owned slaves. These include individuals such as Justus Angel and Mistress L. Horry, of Colleton District, South Carolina, who each owned 84 slaves in 1830. In fact, in 1830 a fourth of the free Negro slave masters in South Carolina owned 10 or more slaves; eight owning 30 or more (2).
    According to federal census reports, on June 1, 1860 there were nearly 4.5 million Negroes in the United States, with fewer than four million of them living in the southern slaveholding states. Of the blacks residing in the South, 261,988 were not slaves. Of this number, 10,689 lived in New Orleans. The country's leading African American historian, Duke University professor John Hope Franklin, records that in New Orleans over 3,000 free Negroes owned slaves, or 28 percent of the free Negroes in that city.
    To return to the census figures quoted above, this 28 percent is certainly impressive when compared to less than 1.4 percent of all American whites and less than 4.8 percent of southern whites. The statistics show that, when free, blacks disproportionately became slave masters.
    The majority of slaveholders, white and black, owned only one to five slaves. More often than not, and contrary to a century and a half of bullwhips-on-tortured-backs propaganda, black and white masters worked and ate alongside their charges; be it in house, field or workshop. The few individuals who owned 50 or more slaves were confined to the top one percent, and have been defined as slave magnates.

  • Posted By:
    notracist at 06/19/2008 11:59:37 AM
    Comment:
    In an 1856 letter to his wife Mary Custis Lee, Robert E. Lee called slavery "a moral and political evil." Yet he concluded that black slaves were immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially and physically.
    The fact is large numbers of free Negroes owned black slaves; in fact, in numbers disproportionate to their representation in society at large. In 1860 only a small minority of whites owned slaves. According to the U.S. census report for that last year before the Civil War, there were nearly 27 million whites in the country. Some eight million of them lived in the slaveholding states.
    The census also determined that there were fewer than 385,000 individuals who owned slaves (1). Even if all slaveholders had been white, that would amount to only 1.4 percent of whites in the country (or 4.8 percent of southern whites owning one or more slaves).
    In the rare instances when the ownership of slaves by free Negroes is acknowledged in the history books, justification centers on the claim that black slave masters were simply individuals who purchased the freedom of a spouse or child from a white slaveholder and had been unable to legally manumit them. Although this did indeed happen at times, it is a misrepresentation of the majority of instances, one which is debunked by records of the period on blacks who owned slaves. These include individuals such as Justus Angel and Mistress L. Horry, of Colleton District, South Carolina, who each owned 84 slaves in 1830. In fact, in 1830 a fourth of the free Negro slave masters in South Carolina owned 10 or more slaves; eight owning 30 or more (2).
    According to federal census reports, on June 1, 1860 there were nearly 4.5 million Negroes in the United States, with fewer than four million of them living in the southern slaveholding states. Of the blacks residing in the South, 261,988 were not slaves. Of this number, 10,689 lived in New Orleans. The country's leading African American historian, Duke University professor John Hope Franklin, records that in New Orleans over 3,000 free Negroes owned slaves, or 28 percent of the free Negroes in that city.
    To return to the census figures quoted above, this 28 percent is certainly impressive when compared to less than 1.4 percent of all American whites and less than 4.8 percent of southern whites. The statistics show that, when free, blacks disproportionately became slave masters.
    The majority of slaveholders, white and black, owned only one to five slaves. More often than not, and contrary to a century and a half of bullwhips-on-tortured-backs propaganda, black and white masters worked and ate alongside their charges; be it in house, field or workshop. The few individuals who owned 50 or more slaves were confined to the top one percent, and have been defined as slave magnates.

    • Posted By:
      majestic at 06/20/2008 12:55:42 AM
      Comment:
      Interesting, notracist. It's as if you present slavery as a very humane thing in America. Contrary to your tidbit, all current researchers agree that slavery was much worse than portrayed by even ROOTS and JUBILEE. If it were so good and wonderful, why were thousands of slaves seeking to leave and being killed, whipped and cut toes if found. That's humane? You have some serious racist issues happen.
      • Posted By:
        Mr. Jefferson at 06/20/2008 2:09:22 PM
        Comment:
        He never said it was humane or good, but he is correct in everything in his post. I am sure there were instances of severe abuse, but that was not the norm. You can't cherry pick history to make your emotional points. History always wins.