Freedmens Council

For my Children

In the years surrounding 1609, people from the western region of the continent of Africa were captured from their homes by force and taken to live and work on the continent of North America. The Africans were placed in chains and taken across the Atlantic Ocean on ships. On the ships there was very little food, water and even air to breath. The journey was called the Middle Passage. Many suffered and died on the journey. In North America the Africans were forced to work from sun-up to sun-down and were treated like animals. They worked in the fields growing all kinds of crops. Some worked in the house of their captors or masters cooking their food, taking care of their children, and anything they were made to do. They were called slaves and could never be anything else because of a law that was created. Africans knew they were human beings and deserved better so they tried to escape every chance they could. They suffered and many died but some did get away. After part of North America became the United States of America, they eventually had a Civil War. The Civil War was between the Northern states and the Southern states, and most of the Africans lived in the Southern states. They wanted to join the fight for the Northern states, the Union, hoping that it would end slavery and they would be freed. They were finally allowed to join the fight with the Northern states, and the North won.

The Africans were right, and when the Civil War was over, Africans were set free in 1865. They were now called Freedmen and by law had rights as citizens. White Americans did not like the fact that Africans were free and legally citizens, so they terrorized, killed and bullied the Africans whenever they wanted. The United States would not protect them. Africans were again forced to do what the whites said and could not truly be citizens. They were forced to be work other people’s land as share croppers, and do dirty jobs with little respect. The Africans did not give up. With help from some whites, they started schools, created their own culture of African and American ways of living, had their own churches and used the power of music to help and heal much of their suffering. They made their own communities and tried very hard to be neighbors with whites. When this did not work the Africans protested and got involved in groups that would help them get their rights and opportunities. There were peaceful marches and protests but often this was met with violence by whites. After a while Africans who had made a life for themselves in America called themselves African-Americans. They got involved in every aspect of America to make sure they were treated fairly and with human dignity.

African-Americans, who are also proud to be called Black Americans, due to their beautiful black and brown skin, continue to demand their rights as full participants in America. They know that their ancestor’s labor and their sacrifices are the foundation of every aspect of the United States of America. They also know that they deserve, as human beings, to be the best they can be and have all rights as citizens.