Denmark Vesey

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 the sake of freedom. He was inspired by the revolution that had taken place in Haiti. Vesey’s rebellion was originally scheduled for July 14, 1822. He had gathered the support of 1900 men. His plan was to slay the masters, seize Charleston, S.C., and sail to newly independent black country of Haiti to escape retaliation.

This is all the information that two of Vesey's recruits needed to tell the authorities in Charleston about Vesey’s planned revolt. Vesey soon learned of the betrayal on June 16, 1822 and attempted to launch his rebellion, but authorities would seize him on June 18, 1822 before he could carry out this bloody mission. The authorities’ decision: 12 were pardoned and 37, including Denmark Vesey, were hanged. There are some who speculate that the entire Vesey plot was a hoax; Nevertheless, there had been many slave revolts in North America, South America, and the Caribbean since the beginning of the colonies. There would be more to follow:

Nat Turner, North Hampton County, Virginia --1831; Guyana, The Demerara Rebellions of 1795 and 1823; Jamaica's Baptist War, 1831-1832, led by the Baptist preacher, Samuel Sharpe; the Black Seminole Rebellion (Maroon and Slaves combined) 1835 and Joseph Cinque, Cuban Amistad ship in 1839.

Sources: africawithin.com, and siu.edu, and wikipedia.org

The Price of Rice: White Gold

Have you seen the recent news about rice? This whole situation about the price of rice is really tripping me out. I really like rice, but there are people out here now who will bust you in the head for a bag of rice. There are many stories in the blogosphere about this rice issue, but I want to share something that will make you smile and something that will make you think. I realize that there is more to this shortage and crisis than I know because I haven't examined it.

Update 4/30/08:
At first, I thought this outrage about rice was a bit humorous, but then I looked at the bigger picture. There is a food crisis in the world. It's not just in Africa or some other so called third world country, but the world. Then, there is the increase in fuel prices. As a result, there is an increase in crime and assault. The people are becoming restless, hungry, and desperate. They are beginning to feel the tension that is caused when the gap between the rich and the poor widens. It's going to become even more unbearable as coils unravel, split, and eventually snap.


Photo source: timeinc.net

Down South

I'm headed down south for a few days to see family and friends. I'll be back soon. Mr. Philp, I wish that I could make it down to Miami. Then, we could have a Red Stripe and talk about literature and blogging. *smile* I hope that you all are having a wonderful Summer. Peace~