Friday, September 7, 2012

Black History Books As One Source For African-American History Education

By Kerri Turner


In addition to other sources like the internet, Black history books can be a great way to learn about African American history. There are a great deal of them out there. A good place to begin your search would be at your local library.

One really good book is the about the life of Frederick Douglass was who an American slave. This book was written by Frederick Douglass himself. In it he relates his life history including his experiences as a slave and as a free man. He relates the trouble that it took for him to learn how to read and how fulfilled he felt once he was able to read. He also talks about Baltimore during the period of the slave trade.

Slavery cast a cloud over the American story. Until this day America still struggles with the legacy of slavery. Society has instituted programs to help repair the damage done during this period when there were injustices that were committed against African-Americans. As a result of these injustices African Americans were set back as a people.

Slavery in the American continent originated in 1619 when in the indentured servants were brought ashore by English settlers to Jamestown Virginia. The plan was that they were to work for some time and then be released as free individuals. This plan did not work FOR very long. After a while the settlers began to realize that it was expensive to replace the freed servants and that no other race was willing to work under these circumstances. As a result the practice began to change into slavery as we know it today.

Interestingly, in earlier versions of the practice afforded slave some rights. The death penalty was handed down if somebody killed a slave. There is evidence that people actually were executed as a result of committing this crime

There is a wealth of diversity in African American heritage. The different areas of Africa from what slaves were transported led to a combination of different cultures when the slaves ended up on the American continent n confinement. Settlers did not bother to check the formation of these traditions because they were more interested in the work that was being produced

Some of the social programs currently in place today results from corrections that were instituted as a result of further injustices during yet another dark time. The Jim crow era which lasted almost 100 years required to the races be separated. These laws supposedly provided for status of African-Americans as separate but equal. In actuality they resulted in African-Americans being treated as less than equal and living in inferior conditions.

Black history books are only one way to inform yourself about African-American heritage. Your will find that there are a host of other options. Is personal interaction is more your forte, then there are many lectures and festivals in celebration of African-American heritage. In the month of February, which is considered black history month in the United States, television programming also makes efforts to focus on this rich heritage.




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