Black History in the Deep South

 Brenda and I got to see some interesting and some extremely sad things in Charleston. We visited the old “Slave Mart Museum” that explained a lot about the trading of USA-born slaves. First we were shocked to learn that the USA only accounted for 4.6% of the African slave trade. South American imported about 50% of all the African slaves brought across the Atlantic. The Caribbean and Central America imported about 43% of the slaves and the balance mostly went to Mexico.  Who knew?

For a few years after the US Civil War, the freed slaves were given a full slate of rights as free people, but that era was short-lived and oppression returned. There were many African led and populated churches during that period and many Africans were elected to political office. Some attained considerable wealth. But the backlash against Reconstruction resulted in a return to great oppression against Africans. It must have been especially hard to experience this severe repression after having tasted real freedom just before.

In the midst of suffering so many stepped out to lead so well. For example, Septima Clark and many other people of color did heroic service for their country. On a boat tour of Fort Sumter we learned of the valor of the 54^th Massachusetts, the black regiment who fought bravely on Morris Island near Fort Sumpter.

So even in this great sadness there were many people who acted heroically and sacrificially. Let us not forget those people.