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African Americans: Commemorating the Past, Celebrating the Present and Challenging the FutureBy KRISTEN STERNBERG Before the Civil War, many thousands of African people were brought against their will to the United States to be sold into slavery. During this time it was customary for slave owners, who were almost all white men, to forbid slaves to speak their native languages, practice religious rituals and observe traditional customs. These efforts to erase any trace of African culture probably came, at least in part, from the owners' fear that the slaves would unite and rise against their bondage. Have you heard the phrase, "United we stand, divided we fall?" That phrase can be applied here, with the idea that if slaves were prevented from gathering in ceremonies or otherwise communicating with each other, they would not have the strength of numbers on their side. They would "fall." Most slave owners apparently ignored the strengths of many outstanding individuals among the slaves who, along with their descendants, managed to triumph against the odds. Slaves secretly found ways, for example, to gather for worship as well as to learn to read and write.
After hundreds of years of slavery in America, the outcome of the Civil War, in the middle of the 19th century, effectively put an end to the practice. Although President Lincoln made it illegal for anyone to own slaves after the war, laws still existed that barred slaves from, among other things, owning land or voting. African Americans, especially those in many Southern states, were still largely segregated from whites. Segregated schools and churches, and separate seating areas in restaurants and on public transportation are just a few examples of how blacks were discriminated against. The middle of the 20th century brought the Civil Rights movement. United States laws were gradually changed to allow black Americans opportunities to pursue education, housing, transportation and other civil rights equal to those of whites. Just 40 years ago, the University of Georgia accepted two black students, that school's first African Americans to be enrolled. Nowadays, African Americans as a group continue to break down barriers once considered impenetrable (unbreakable)! Check out this website about the U.S.A’s. first black presidential candidate (2007), Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. Would Mr. Obama get your vote? Among many who worked to help black Americans achieve basic civil rights such as getting an education or voting in elections, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. set an outstanding example. Dr. King, a Georgia minister who went on to earn a Pulitzer Prize, advocated using peaceful, nonviolent ways to help whites and blacks understand each other and get along. Even though laws now grant equal rights to people of all races, in many ways African Americans are still struggling for equal acceptance in America. Some opportunities, such as pursuing college degrees or careers in politics and government, are only recently becoming a reality for many blacks. A recent News-Journal editorial drives home the fact that the African Americans in our community who hold political power are very small in number. More and more, however, African Americans and whites are working together to respect the achievements of the many black Americans who helped and continue to help shape our country. The D-Day Museum in New Orleans honors the African Americans - more than a million men and women - who served their country in World War II. In another article, you can learn how important it is to preserve historical documents by and about African Americans. In spite of his messages of peace, Dr. King was himself assassinated. However, he and the lessons he taught were so impressive that his dream of true equality for all lives on. Every day, all across the country, you can find people of different races working together for the cause of racial harmony. Recently, in the city of Chicago, two men - one white and one black - teamed up to rebuild a burned-out church. Check out the activities below, to learn about some of the many individuals who have contributed to the history and welfare of all Americans. They, and all others who work toward racial equality, understanding and harmony should be given credit for their strength, intelligence, spirit and perseverance. How many ways can you think of that you might help keep alive Dr. King's dream of equality for all people? More articles Records of freed slaves to be digitized, put online Try these fun activities using The News-Journal!
A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org. Check out these links to learn more: Many respected organizations have developed web sites about various aspects of African American history and culture. Here are some links to get you started.
Watch a video excerpt of, Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. At the Smithsonian Museum's web site you'll find a thought-provoking exhibit called African Voices, examining the culture and history of Africa. Afro-Americ@, the Afro-American Newspaper Company of Baltimore, hosts an online History Museum along with news stories of special interest to African Americans around the country. When you visit, be sure to read about the Tuskegee Airmen, the famous fighting pilots of World War II. The site also includes a section on African American culture and a special kids zone for you to visit. Boston's WGBH, a public broadcasting station, celebrates African-American achievements and milestones such as the 1957 integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, while LIFE Magazine offers an online Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrating African American History & Culture is the theme of an online exhibit from the National Parks Service. While you're there, be sure to read about the Historic Places of the Civil Rights movement and the Underground Railroad. Who is Rosa Parks? Have you heard of Malcolm X? What is George Washington Carver famous for? How did Jackie Robinson change the world of sports? Check out the biographies of these and other famous African Americans at this Biography.com web site honoring African American heritage. There are also Fast Facts, Timelines, and information about black groundbreakers. You can spend hours at this site, reading news articles, hearing speeches and poems, viewing photos and watching videos and much, much more. The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. Visit the site and check out some of them to see if they have recently published any articles on this topic. To access the newspapers at the site, either select a state or click on the "Internationals" button to choose a country. The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published February 19, 2001, updated June 28, 2007 Take a Quiz!
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