African Americans and the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July has a unique history for African Americans. While it highlights the establishment of the United States as an independent nation, throwing off its colonial chains, it also represents a unique dynamic that African Americans have with this nation and the veterans who date back to the American Revolution.

African Americans and the Revolutionary War starts with the war’s first casualty: Crispus Attucks. Attucks was a free black and indigenous man who died during the Boston Massacre. His life would later serve as an example of African American involvement in the founding of U.S. by abolitionists.

Also during the American Revolution there are examples of African Americans serving in the U.S. military against its enemies. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment, also known as the “Black Regiment” was brought into the Revolutionary War in early 1778. They saw their first combat experience in the Battle of Rhode Island in August of 1778. Thanks to the Slave Enlistment Act it also freed all enslaved men who volunteered to join the “Black Regiment”. Compensation was paid to their former masters, but Washington was desperate for a boost to his forces.

During the Civil War, Frederick Douglas also spoke on this dynamic between formerly enslaved African Americans and the U.S. military, believing that African Americans could show their commitment to the United States by serving in its Armed Forces where allowed, which would show our right to be free. He declared to formerly enslaved men “rise up in the dignity of our manhood, and show by our own right arms that we are worthy to be freemen.” in his piece “Men of Color to Arms! Now or Never!” 

From the American Revolution to the Civil War there are numerous examples of African Americans serving a country that didn’t recognize their freedom or citizenship. In the years after the Civil War there is also a deep history of African Americans continuing to serve in major conflicts like World War I and World War II. The latter of which created the dignity and gumption that fueled the Civil Rights Movement and led to mass systemic change in the treatment of African Americans. From the American Revolution to the present African Americans have continued to fight for this nation while simultaneously fighting for our rights. As we reflect on this Independence Day we remember both where we’ve begun and where we still have left to go. Happy Independence Day!

-Dashaun Mckenzie

This event is funded in part by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Friday February 16 the African American Heritage Society hosted a performance and table at Gallery Night!

Audience members were treated to a performance by Lepoleon Williams and the Polimbtree Drummers! We sold merchandise, books and other items.

Be sure to come see us at the Coulson House during open hours each week and stay tuned for more events!

 Stated in an address to the National Urban League in 1946:

"We must make every effort [to ensure] that the past injustice, violence and economic discrimination will be made known to the people."

"The taboo, the 'let's-not-talk-about-it' must be broken."

  Albert Einstein

To learn more about Mr. Einstein's commitment to Social Justice

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-celebrity-scientist-albert-einstein-used-fame-denounce-american-racism-180962356/