Anita, Thank you for mentioning this lack of descretion, [to put it politely], on the part of the planners. I think you SHOULD speak out, and only hope others will, as well.
I recently did some research on an African-American family in Portsmouth, VA. I grew up [white] in Portsmouth. I was shocked when I researched this particular family. I never knew that there had been a strong, very middle-class African American community in Portsmouth. These folk left wills, inlc. some items like gold watches and stock. The woman I was studying left a well-written will in proper legal form. Once they were able to use the courts, they used them well and often. They were well educated and owned their own houses. They risked their lives running underground schools, when it was illegal to do so. Yet, I had never known there had been such a community in Portsmouth. It was slum when I grew up and was torn down, How had it become slum? Well, it seems Portsmouth taxed African American homeowners more than the white home owners. They taxed their churches, but not the sister white churches. This, in combination with other roadblocks, made things difficult. I bet there
is more to this story.
I never knew who Norcum highschool was named after. Or the Jeffry WIlson housing development. I learned more from this research than I did from a lifetime of living in this area,I think if the white community could learn more about the contributions of all other cultures, it would be the best thing we could do to improve multi-cultural relastionships. Children would get a better appreciation of the hardships and sacrifices that others have made, for the good of society. And it would be - simply put - JUST.
Thanks for bring up the Revolutionary service as one example of the censorship in our education. I still live in VA - VA Beach. If you and/or others want to get some publicity on this problem of not recognizing the African American contribution to our freedom, - let me know. Maybe we can force the planners to include the list in the celebration events. If not - maybe a permit to do a separate event could be obtained. I have some good contacts in Portsmouth who might be interested.
Langdon Hagen-Long
Anita Wills <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I know because in 2000 I assisted in coordinating an event at Colonial Yorktown to commeorate Native & Black Soldiers. The only black re-enactors they had were from the Rhode Island Unit. At that time I sent a supplied a copy of the original Amherst County Militia to one of the Historians, believing that they would add the names to the database. The roster is stored in the papers of Colonial William Cabell at the College of William and Mary's Swem Library. It is one that the DAR accepted as proof of service. Yet, I was told by a historian at Colonial Yorktown that the names have not been included on the database. If their names are not on the database it would be kind of difficult to have re-enactors for them.
Anita
-- John Maass wrote:
I did not take your post personally, I never do @ these things. Re-read your post--you do make implications as I mention. You are fond of making assumptions and then turning them into statements, such as: "If they have re-enactors they will be from the Rhode Island Corp, the same re-enactors they had in 2000." Really? How do you know? Might there be black reenactors from other states besides RI? (I'll give it away: yes!!)
----- Original Message -----
From: Anita Wills
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 12:15 AM
Subject: Re: Surrender at Yorktown to be Commemorated October 18-22, 2006
The fact that you took my post personally is a pity!! Yes, I guess I am over sensitive that my ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, and have been all but ignored, especially by Colonial Yorktown, a Government agency. You are a heck of a lot more judgemental then I am. I did not say anything about honoring blacks and Native seperately, my statement was and is that they are not even on the database. If they have re-enactors they will be from the Rhode Island Corp, the same re-enactors they had in 2000.
Yep it is a pity, and your reaction just underscores my point.
-- John Maass wrote:
What an unbelievable, hyper-sensitive over-reaction!
This event is about Yorktown, and not, as you imply, an intentional "attempt to ignore those who fought and died for America." The fact that they may not honor black soldiers separately as you may long for does not prove a conspiracy. You might be surprised to find black reenactors at the event, but prejudging this commemoration as you have done may not let you do so after all. Pity......
----- Original Message -----
From: Anita Wills
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2005 8:12 PM
Subject: Re: Surrender at Yorktown to be Commemorated October 18-22, 2006
The sad part is that none of the Soldiers of Color will be honored. On September 30, 2000 I participated in a ceremony to honor Natives and Blacks that fought at The Siege of Yorktown. To this day none of their names are on the Database as being participants. Even though I sent a copy of the official roster to the Historians at Colonial Yorktown. The Soldiers fought under Colonial William Cabell, and marched from Yorktown on June 21, 1781. The unit joined up with Marquis De Lafayettes unit on the march. Lafayette, and William Cabell will be honored but the soldiers names who marched under Cabell will not.
Every participant should be honored regardless of race. The other group that should be honored are the slaves whose bodies are buried on the battlefield at Colonial Yorktown.
This is not history, it is an attempt to ignore those who fought and died for America. They have a rightful place in history, and it is a shame that in 2005, we are still fighting for those rights.
Anita Wills
-- John Maass wrote:
Subject: Surrender at Yorktown to be Commemorated October 18-22, 2006
The Brigade of the American Revolution, Colonial National Historical Park
and Endview Plantation will commemorate the 225th anniversary of the
surrender of over eight thousand British, German, and loyal American troops
to George Washington's Continental Army and French allies on October 19,
1781 in Yorktown, Virginia.
http://www.siegeofyorktown.org./
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