08.10.09
Question? What do Arthur Whitfield and Nat Turner have in common? They are forever to be remembered as 2 VA Negroes made famous by important milestones that flared into American consciousness in the historically heated month of August. And like many men of the colored and enslaved class both Nat and Arthur were ... are part of a system that has always positioned particular people of certain hues and views to be bred, borne and broken from cradle to grave and beyond. Furthermore, because this system of government took its first breaths on the shores of Virginia in the year 1607, 400 years later, doesn't it make sense that it here in Virginia where the leadership must be found to guide the nation in understanding how to move forward in the work of giving all citizens the right to share in the American Dream?
Answer No. 1: The first battle to claim victims in the Civil War was named after Nat Turner who lived from 1800 and died by hanging in 1831 in Southampton County, Virginia. Nat was called "Prophet." In 1831 the town of Courtland, VA was known as New Jerusalem It was said that Nat taught himself to read with the only book that would be found on a farm in 17th century America and he traveled from farm to farm preaching fire and brimstone. He often spoke of hearing God's voice commanding him to prepare for the time to slay slaveholders. It is very important to understand that back in the year 1800 when Nat Turner was born the United States of America was only 13 years old!
Additional Background: The Constitution was signed and ratified on September 17, 1787 after a raucous month of August that marked the birthing pains of the world's greatest democracy. And even today in 2009 America is still a young country. In the days of Nat Turner she was an infant. In 1831 if a household of any of the 60 men, women and children who died by Nat's command between August 21 - 23, 1831, had one book in it that one book would have been the Old Testament. The only other printed words to be found on those 19th century farms would have been a newspaper copy of their new nation's birth certificate which started with the following 38 word preamble: We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings in liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Answer No. 2: Arthur Whitfield is a 52-year-old Black man currently in need of health insurance. Six years ago in 2003 Mr. Whitfield was released from the Commonwealth of Virginia's prison system after being wrongfully incarcerated for 22 years. During the special convening of the Virginia General Assembly on August 17, 2009 the issue of compensation for Arthur Whitfield will be taken up by that august body.
Additional Background: The Virginia General Assembly dates back to the House of Burgess es that first convened in Williamsburg and gave voice to early leaders like Patrick Henry who is most famous for that rallying cry, "Give me Liberty or Death" in those first battles that began to define what we, in the 21st century, have come to know as the American Dream. And during the upcoming special session it is hoped that our leaders understand that their leadership is needed far beyond fixing a dollar amount to Arthur Whitfield's pain and suffering. The State needs to make right the wrong that stole a man youth. The Commonwealth of Virginia needs to lead the nation in healing the wounds left by injustice and oppression.
Solution: The JuneteenthVA Commission's mission will be to guide audiences in the work of looking back without shame or blame as diverse communities come together in the goals of reconciliation and progress. The time to do this is now. JuneteenthVA is doing this work now. Just like Health Reform is being addressed on the federal level in this August 2009, so should be the establishment of a JuneteenthVA State Commission.
Evidence: Please see the following community discussion with members from Sons of the Confederacy, a descendant of one of the victims of the Nat Turner Insurrection and the cast members from this February 21, 2009 presentation at Riddick's Folly Museum located in Suffolk, VA of my play "Abolitionists' Museum." www.youtube.com/juneteenthva
Peace n the Vision of a Nu World,
sb
http://baileygroup.org/sheri_bailey
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
21st Century Slaves & Slaveholders in America
08.09.09
21st Century Slaves & Slaveholders in America
written by Sheri Bailey
One of the reasons that so many American public school teachers and students don't do well in history is because our nation is embarrassed by its past. The hypocrisy of creating a nation based on freedom for all while denying it to those pesky African imports isn't something anyone in the 21st century -- especially strict Constitutionalists -- is trying to remember.
George Washington knew slavery was wrong, so he stipulated in his will that once Martha died, all of his slaves were to be freed. (More about how uncomfortable her last months probably were as everyone in the household waited on her to close her eyes for the final time another time.) Thomas Jefferson knew slavery was a cancer, but he was so in debt that he never freed any of his slaves not even in death. (More about his promises to Sally Hemmings another time.) Benjamin Franklin knew slavery was immoral and he became one of the colonial era's leading abolitionists. Of these three leading figures from our nation's beginning years as Americans decided on how to handle slavery, do we talk about all of them, one of them or none of them? Further, it is documented that all three of these founders of a new American democracy fathered Black children. This is very messy history, so let's focus on the present and America's current enslaved masses.
In 2009 there are approximately fifty million Americans who do not have health insurance. According to Republicans like Karl Rove most of us who are uninsured do not want nor deserve health insurance. Mr. Rove believes that having health insurance in America is a privilege, not a right. Two hundred and thirty years ago he would have been on the Constitutional sub-committee that came up with the "three-fifths human" formula that became how African descent people were counted in the census. To allow millions of human beings to be counted as individuals would have demanded that they be given their rights as American citizens and they certainly were not privileged enough to deserve such rights. Those rights were reserved for only those men who owned property.
Those privileged 18th century white males were America's first affirmative action recipients and now 230 years later they aren't trying to lose their constitutionally provided gains. They are fighting to stay in the top one percent of Americans with assets and that means no sharing. They have much practice in putting band aids on a gaping wounds. What they did with slavery was to set a 25-year timeline from 1776 after which it became illegal to import Africans. Slavery would still be legal, but importing human cargo could no longer be tolerated. On behalf of my ancestors let me just say, "Thanks a lot, guys ... ah ... I mean, founding fathers ... insurance companies ... blue dogs ... Republicans."
Last year I had health insurance, but I lost that job and the option for broke, unemployed me with the COBRA offer was about $550 a month. Recently, I tried to get a free mammogram at my local clinic, but discovered that my particular locality didn't offer a safety net for me. So despite the fact that women of a certain age are advised to get a mammogram on an annual basis as a preventative measure I discovered that as a poor person with neither rights nor privileges I was up the proverbial creek without an oar. I had to laugh.
This happens to poor people a lot. We are handed so many lemons that we become first class lemonade makers. In my hometown the hospital for poor people is Maryview, but we call it Murderview. Reason being, by the time folks get there they are beyond saving because without access to annual screenings people die from preventative illnesses in their 30s, 40s and 50s every single day.
But because of my ancestors I come from strong stock. Like they fought for their freedom and their dignity so shall I. As an American citizen I have a right to health insurance and I am not going to let sleazy, greedy capitalists and misinformed citizens me that I do not. I am an American citizen who believes in what Washington, Jefferson and Franklin laid out in the Constitution. The only difference being is that I believe the pursuit of truth, justice and happiness should apply to all Americans and not just the privileged few.
sb
Visit our online Black History Class
http://www.blackhistoryclass.blogspot.com
For your photography needs visit http://ctmphotoandvideo.com Visit www.cherylwilkerson.com Everyday !Getting married ? Visit www.happilyeverafter.be We got Books ! Positive Vibes African Literature 757-523-1399
21st Century Slaves & Slaveholders in America
written by Sheri Bailey
One of the reasons that so many American public school teachers and students don't do well in history is because our nation is embarrassed by its past. The hypocrisy of creating a nation based on freedom for all while denying it to those pesky African imports isn't something anyone in the 21st century -- especially strict Constitutionalists -- is trying to remember.
George Washington knew slavery was wrong, so he stipulated in his will that once Martha died, all of his slaves were to be freed. (More about how uncomfortable her last months probably were as everyone in the household waited on her to close her eyes for the final time another time.) Thomas Jefferson knew slavery was a cancer, but he was so in debt that he never freed any of his slaves not even in death. (More about his promises to Sally Hemmings another time.) Benjamin Franklin knew slavery was immoral and he became one of the colonial era's leading abolitionists. Of these three leading figures from our nation's beginning years as Americans decided on how to handle slavery, do we talk about all of them, one of them or none of them? Further, it is documented that all three of these founders of a new American democracy fathered Black children. This is very messy history, so let's focus on the present and America's current enslaved masses.
In 2009 there are approximately fifty million Americans who do not have health insurance. According to Republicans like Karl Rove most of us who are uninsured do not want nor deserve health insurance. Mr. Rove believes that having health insurance in America is a privilege, not a right. Two hundred and thirty years ago he would have been on the Constitutional sub-committee that came up with the "three-fifths human" formula that became how African descent people were counted in the census. To allow millions of human beings to be counted as individuals would have demanded that they be given their rights as American citizens and they certainly were not privileged enough to deserve such rights. Those rights were reserved for only those men who owned property.
Those privileged 18th century white males were America's first affirmative action recipients and now 230 years later they aren't trying to lose their constitutionally provided gains. They are fighting to stay in the top one percent of Americans with assets and that means no sharing. They have much practice in putting band aids on a gaping wounds. What they did with slavery was to set a 25-year timeline from 1776 after which it became illegal to import Africans. Slavery would still be legal, but importing human cargo could no longer be tolerated. On behalf of my ancestors let me just say, "Thanks a lot, guys ... ah ... I mean, founding fathers ... insurance companies ... blue dogs ... Republicans."
Last year I had health insurance, but I lost that job and the option for broke, unemployed me with the COBRA offer was about $550 a month. Recently, I tried to get a free mammogram at my local clinic, but discovered that my particular locality didn't offer a safety net for me. So despite the fact that women of a certain age are advised to get a mammogram on an annual basis as a preventative measure I discovered that as a poor person with neither rights nor privileges I was up the proverbial creek without an oar. I had to laugh.
This happens to poor people a lot. We are handed so many lemons that we become first class lemonade makers. In my hometown the hospital for poor people is Maryview, but we call it Murderview. Reason being, by the time folks get there they are beyond saving because without access to annual screenings people die from preventative illnesses in their 30s, 40s and 50s every single day.
But because of my ancestors I come from strong stock. Like they fought for their freedom and their dignity so shall I. As an American citizen I have a right to health insurance and I am not going to let sleazy, greedy capitalists and misinformed citizens me that I do not. I am an American citizen who believes in what Washington, Jefferson and Franklin laid out in the Constitution. The only difference being is that I believe the pursuit of truth, justice and happiness should apply to all Americans and not just the privileged few.
sb
Visit our online Black History Class
http://www.blackhistoryclass.blogspot.com
For your photography needs visit http://ctmphotoandvideo.com Visit www.cherylwilkerson.com Everyday !Getting married ? Visit www.happilyeverafter.be We got Books ! Positive Vibes African Literature 757-523-1399
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