How many black abolitionists can you name?
Despite the increased renewal of interest in abolitionism, blacks have largely been absent from these portrayals. In Lincoln, black opposition to slavery was kept to a few scenes; PBS’ The Abolitionists profiled only one black abolitionist,Frederick Douglass; and in 12 Years a Slave, abolitionists are all white, ignoring even Solomon Northup’s role fighting slavery and demanding reparations after his emancipation. Textbooks and state curricula devote little attention to the abolition movement, let alone to black abolitionists.
Every day during Black History Month, the Zinn Education Project will feature a noted black abolitionist on our Facebook page. We also offer a role play on the people’s history of the abolition movement to help students learn a more accurate and empowering history of the fight to end slavery. Read more here: https://bit.ly/LAl8tP This image features just a few of countless black abolitionists. They are: (l-r) Top row: Frederick Douglass,Sojourner Truth, Henry Highland Garnet, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Osborne P. Anderson, Harriet TubmanBottom row: Charlotte Forten Grimke, Charles Lenox Remond, Sarah Parker Remond, Martin Delany, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and Olaudah Equiano.
Thanks to the Zinn Eduation Project for this post.