Riots, Rebellions and Insurrections

African American History

The terminology used to describe an historical event can reflect deep cultural bias. For example, one side of a struggle might refer to freedom fighters; to their opponents, those same people become rebels and insurgents. In writing histories, it has been the victors who decide. Only look to the “American Revolution” to sort out the patriots from the traitors to the Crown.  In British parlance, some still mockingly refer to Read More

Now or Never

African American History, African Diaspora, African ethnic groups, American legal system, American politics, ancestors, descendants of slaves, slave ports, slavery, transatlantic slave trade

Recently, during a conversation about the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project, someone stated that we must move as quickly as possible to conduct memorial services for our ancestors and place markers at Middle Passage port sites, or their relevance will be lost for future generations. In 2013, many states will mark the 150th year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which President Abraham Lincoln signed, legally releasing Read More

Source Documents for Blog Posts (May-August, 2012)

African American History, African American literature, African Diaspora, American legal system, American politics, descendants of slaves, slavery, transatlantic slave trade

Text: A Forgotten History: The Slave Trade and Slavery in New England, Choices for the 21st Century Education Program, Watson Institute for International Studies, Brown University, (2008). This work provides an overview of enslavement and the human trade of Africans in New England from the colonial period through the Revolutionary War. Based on primary sources and quotes it is an ideal teaching tool for instructors and students with an interest Read More

“When Did We Become Americans?”: 1619 The Making of America

African American History, African Diaspora, descendants of slaves, slavery

At Norfolk State University in Virginia on September 21 and 22, 2012 a conference focused on the year 1619 will take place at the Student Center. For all who are able, we encourage your attendance and participation. The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project is committed to promoting discussion and scholarship related to the Black Atlantic experience. In addition, three members of the project’s advisory and honorary boards are Read More

Strong People: The Evolution of Anti-Slavery and Emancipation

African American History, African Diaspora, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinos, American legal system, American politics, Central America, descendants of slaves, slavery, transatlantic slave trade

Enslavement has been called the “peculiar institution.” As a practice that is as old as mankind, its very longevity was an argument supporting continued acceptance. We realize that enslavement is based upon the exercise of power, and everything else is secondary. On the other hand, during the 17th and 18th Centuries, a body of thought called “The Enlightenment” emerged and advocated for equality, liberty, justice and freedom. Initially applied selectively Read More

The Black Vote: Old Wine, New Bottles – More than a Vote for President

African American History, American legal system, American politics

Last week the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced that it is currently fighting suppression of the African American vote in this year’s Presidential election.  The NAACP and other groups have renewed the struggle for the right to vote, pointing out that some states are effectively restricting access to the voting booth for likely Black voters and the poor in a number of ways. Readers of this Read More

Haiti: The First Black Republic in the Western Hemisphere

African American History, African American literature, African Diaspora, African ethnic groups, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinos, American politics, ancestors, slave ports, slavery

This small and beautiful nation is a text book case of the victim being blamed for the crimes/injustices perpetuated against it. The historic role of the United States in the deliberate destruction of this country is not completely known. Since the presidency of Thomas Jefferson until the 21st century the United States of America has repeatedly done everything in its power to destroy Haiti. Why? According to historian James Sidbury: Read More

Slave Power: A Nation by Any Means

African American History, American legal system, American politics, Slave economy, slavery

“On all matters affecting slaves, concessions to the South was the price to be paid if there was to be any union at all.” Negro President by Gary Wills, Houghton Mifflin Company (2003) The power of slavery shaped how this nation operated from its inception. Founding fathers of the United States of America by negotiating a compromise in the Constitutional Convention that each slave would count as 3/5 of a Read More

Myths of Creation

African American History, African Diaspora, American legal system, American politics, ancestors, descendants of slaves, ethnic studies, Native Americans, Slave economy, slave ports, slavery, transatlantic slave trade

In the British Virginia Colony during the summer of 1619, two events took place within weeks of each other that would shape the United States of America in profoundly contradictory ways.  One event was the initial legislative assembly of Englishmen meeting in Jamestowne from July 30 to August 4. The other event was the arrival at Point Comfort of a Dutch slaver during the third week in August, when according Read More

An Elder: Vincent Harding

African American History, African American literature, African Diaspora, American politics, ancestors, captured Africans, descendants of slaves, Middle Passage, slavery, transatlantic slave trade

The formal public inauguration of The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project in Baltimore, Maryland is quickly approaching.  As we come close to that first commemorative event in August, we want our readers and supporters to become acquainted with members of our advisory and honorary boards. We believe that with a better understanding of the people who have chosen to be affiliated with the project, our vision and mission Read More