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Colonization March 2016

Colonization is the process by which one power dominates another. This can be the way a more powerful country takes control of another, but it’s also the way one culture seeks to control another by usurping the established cultural civilization of another. This has happened time and again since human beings migrated out of Africa — as they defeated tribes and gained territories, as they morphed languages and destroyed religions, they also changed their own culture. Societies have evolved by snuffing out the weaker cultures, and taking control of their languages, their rituals, the details of their social structures that made the conquered culture unique....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, archive, black abolitionist, black history, emancipation, freedom, history, slavery Linda Papa Updated: February 17, 2016

Travelogue 1863 March 2016

During the years of African-American Newspaper publication in the 1800s, articles would often appear regarding travel across the new territory that was opening up in the western part of the country thanks to the discovery of gold in 1848. It seemed everyone was anxious to take advantage of free land and wide open spaces. When reporter George W. Turley made his way west in 1863, the Homestead Act offering free land to anyone who would agree to farm the land...

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, black abolitionist, black history, education, freedom, history, newspaper, publication Linda Papa Updated: March 10, 2016

“Keep Cool” February 2016

The United States v. Libellants and Claimants of the Schooner Amistad, tried before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1841, was made famous in the film Amistad in 1997. The National Archives site gives readers more information on the history of this case and the remarkable events that led to it:

“In February of 1839, Portuguese slave hunters abducted a large group of Africans from Sierra Leone and shipped them to Havana, Cuba, a center for the slave trade. This abduction violated all of the treaties then in existence. Fifty-three Africans were purchased by two Spanish planters and put aboard the Cuban schooner Amistad for shipment to a Caribbean plantation. On July 1, 1839, the Africans seized the ship, killed the captain and the cook, and ordered the planters to sail to Africa. On August 24, 1839, the Amistad was seized off Long Island, NY, by the U.S. brig Washington. The planters were freed and the Africans were imprisoned in New Haven, CT, on charges of murder.”...

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, archive, black abolitionist, black history, history, newspaper Linda Papa Updated: February 27, 2016

William Still February 2016

William Still (1821-1902) has been called an “unsung hero” of the Black Abolitionist movement. And while I believe that not too many people have heard of him, his speeches, delivered during the late 1850s and early 1860s, are some of the most eloquent I’ve read....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, archival, archive, black abolitionist, black history, education, freedom, history, speech Linda Papa Updated: February 19, 2016

Salutatory from Mr. Bell February 2016

As part of Black History month, the focus of this week’s blog post is on journalist and abolitionist, Philip Alexander Bell (1808-1889). According to Blackpast.org (described on the site as an Online Reference Guide to African American History), we learn that Philip A. Bell was born in New York City and involved in early abolitionist politics in the Northeast. He “… attended Colored Citizens Conventions as early as 1830 and established his first newspaper, the Weekly Advocate, in 1837 after working for William Lloyd Garrison’s Liberator.”...

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, archival, archive, black abolitionist, black history, history, newspaper Linda Papa Updated: January 6, 2016

A Note on the New Year from 1855 January 2016

The following editorial was published in the Provincial Freeman newspaper on January 6, 1855. The digitized version of this editorial in the Black Abolitionist Archive allows us to bridge the expanse of 161 years, and merge in time with the author who signs her name simply as “S.” (This is probably Mary Ann Shadd who edited the newspaper during this time.) Although so much historic change has taken place since this editorial was written, it seems today’s readers will recognize how relevant the sentiments are here....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, black abolitionist, black history, celebration, history, newspaper, slavery Linda Papa Updated: January 4, 2016

“The Merry Christmas Time” December 2015

Christmas celebrations in the late 1800s weren’t anything like they are today. The focus was on church activities, caroling, and the warm gathering of family and friends. Gifts were secondary to the celebration of this holy season, and giving was more about caring than buying expensive presents. For those whose very existence depended on the kindness of strangers, support from charity and provisions for the poor were appreciated more than ever to help them through the harsh winters and desperate times....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, archival, archive, black abolitionist, black history, celebration, history, newspaper, slavery Linda Papa Updated: December 23, 2015

“Where is Charles O’Conor?” November 2015

The U.S. Civil War officially began in the early months of 1861. Rumblings of war and early warning signs were very apparent in the months and years preceding this official date, however. Members of the free black population were already taking steps during this time to sabotage what they called the “slavocracy” as an economic institution. And they were doing a great job of it. Slowly but surely each patient step toward disruption through “agitation” (as they called it), legal wranglings, and speaking engagements was making an impact....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, archive, black abolitionist, black history, editorial, emancipation, freedom, history, slavery Linda Papa Updated: October 7, 2015

“Southside View of Slavery” October 2015

A recent documentary on Public Television (PBS) called The African Americans: Many Rivers To Cross offers an excellent overview of slavery in the United States from its early beginnings in the 1500s to its final end in 1865. This view aligns closely with the history recorded in the Black Abolitionist Archive’s editorials and speeches. Slavery wasn’t anything new when this country was first established. What WAS new, however, was the notion of “who” slaves were and how this tied in with racial discrimination. This didn’t start suddenly. When slavery was first introduced in this country, slaves (and indentured servants) were of many races, including Native Americans. This change was gradual, but at one point in the history of the United States, “slave” was equated with African captives....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, black history, education, history, newspaper, speech Linda Papa Updated: August 26, 2015

“The Land of Steady Habits” September 2015

Humor can be cathartic, but who would expect to find humor during the bleak years of American slavery? Yet humor can actually be beneficial to human beings dealing with hardship. Humor offers a way of connecting with others dealing with the same issues; a way of relating to shared hardships. It says, “Yes, I know! Me too!” to those in similar circumstances, and helps them weather the storms together. Laughing during times of trouble can help release the stored energy of anger, express the bafflement over injustice, and work through the total irrationality of human action. Seeing the humor when it seems everything around you is unbelievably difficult helps elevate pain and the stresses of daily living. It can even aid creativity, problems solving, and an individual’s ability to cope....

Black Abolitionist Archive abolition, African Americans, black abolitionist, black history, history, newspaper Linda Papa Updated: August 14, 2015

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