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Showing posts with the label Slave Revolt

Denmark Vesey

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Denmark Vesey (Telemanque) was born 1767 in West Africa. As a child, he was captured by slavers and transported to the Americas. Denmark spent his early years on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas. In 1781, a slaver named Captain Joseph Vesey of Charleston, SC., purchased the young Denmark. Denmark would remain a “model” domestic slave for 20 years. Fortunately, in 1800 Denmark won a $1,500 lottery prize and used the money to purchase his own freedom. After becoming a free man, Denmark worked as a carpenter and made an honest living in the city of Charleston. Although Denmark was now "free," he was still dissatisfied with the plight of his brothers and sisters still in bondage. In 1816, Denmark co-founded a Charleston branch (Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church) the A.M.E. Church. Vesey would continue with church activities over the next few years. The year was now 1822 and Denmark Vesey made up his mind to mobilize the masses of freed and enslaved Africans for...

Insurrection or Insanity

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I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend, but I am also looking forward to a little research. I am focusing on black resistance in the diaspora next week. Nat Turner led an insurrection against slavery in August of 1831 that left over 50 whites dead. Women and babies were not exempt from the carnage. He said that it was a mission ordained to him by God. This horrific deed that cost the lives of innocent babies and human lives was meant to send a message -- Let my people Go! This band of more than 75 black men wanted freedom at any cost. They were eventually caught and put to death for what they beleived. Nat Turner was said to unmoved by his fate. Today, these men would be called terrorist, but were they really? Some might say that living under the conditions of forced servitude drove Nat Turner into a murderous mission for freedom. Well, I'll let you decide. Was it insurrection or insanity? Coming Soon: "The Birth of a Nation" (2016) Directed by Nate Parker ...