Wednesday, September 11, 2013

SEPTEMBER 11, 1851



On this date in 1851, the Christiana Resistance occurred, a race riot that was the first recorded open resistance to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law.

A group of Blacks routed a band of slave catchers attempting to re-enslave escaped slaves in Christiana, PA. This incident happened at the home of William Parker, an escaped slave. One white was killed and one wounded. Afterwards, there was a great public outcry from both the North and South.

Frederick Douglass viewed the violence at Christiana as having a special moral and political significance because the event was evidence of Black strength. Violent resistance and African-American courage and determination were exhibited on a national stage through this event. Southern editors expressed anger and shock. 

- author anon



*AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE LIBRARY*


In Washington DC during the week of remembering and honoring the 1963 March on Washington the Black Republican party was prominent in the celebrations and their musings over the legacy and the implications of that march. At a luncheon one speaker, whose name escapes me, pointed out that a few times within every year 3,000 Blacks are killed, or die making the point that the proverbial 9/11 happens far more frequently in Black America.

What has been learned, and what has been practiced? are two different arenas. - Gregory E. Woods, sept. 11, 2013


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