The skilled and manual labor needed to run Mount Vernon was largely provided by slaves. Many of the working slaves were trained in crafts such as milling, coopering, blacksmithing, carpentry and shoemaking. Others worked as house servants, boatmen, coachmen or field hands. Some female slaves were also taught skills, particularly spinning, weaving and sewing, while others worked as house servants or in the laundry, the dairy, or the kitchen. Many female slaves also worked in the fields. Of the 316 slaves at Mount Vernon in 1799, most lived & worked on the 4 outlying farms of the plantation.

This is the cooking & eating area for the slaves. Their workday was from dawn until dusk, six days a week. Sunday was a day of rest. They were whipped for running away or for other infractions. They were fed, clothed, and housed as inexpensively as possible.

In his will, George Washington arranged for all of the slaves he owned to be freed after the death of his wife, Martha. He also left instructions for the continued care and education of some of his former slaves, support and training for all of the children until they came of age, and continuing support for the elderly.

The sculptor puts the finishing touches on his commissioned work of art, which depicts an escaped slave. This statue, now completed, stands today in Brewer, Maine on the site of a home that was part of the the Underground Railroad during the civil war era.

President Abraham Lincoln was instrumental in the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which outlawed slavery everywhere in the United States.

An authentic baseball signed by the great Jackie Robinson, the first black player in major league baseball. This baseball is on display at the Museum of American History in Washington DC.

near Mirror Lake, now a popular hangout and beautiful site for OSU students.

This is the home of Benjamin Russell Hanby, composer of numerous songs-- Darling Nellie Gray and Up On The Housetop. Hanby played many roles in his life; student, abolitionist, father, teacher, minister. The house was built in 1846 and occupied by the Hanbys from 1853 to 1870. From their house and barn, Ben Hanby and his father, Bishop William Hanby, ran a busy station on the underground railroad.

Biko's black history in the US is short--he has been here for 3 years coming from Nairobi Kenya. He won a lottery to leave the country and come to the USA and has a college education and a promising career with a large health company, but finds it necessary to work part-time to live comfortably in the US. He is a good man and a delightful person and is the only African at his workplace although there are many African-Americans. There are a few africans at his part-time work where I work with him.

The MLK National Historic Site in Atlanta was built across the street from Rev. King's Ebenezer Baptist Church and adjacent to the new Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Rosa Parks, "mother of the modern day civil rights movement," was the brave woman who refused to yield a bus seat to a white in Montgomery, AL. Footprints at the "International Civil Rights Walk of Fame" at MLK National Historic Site in Atlanta.

Joe "Brown Bomber" Louis looks over at a young man training at a boxing gym. To some, Joe Louis, son of an Alabama sharecropper, was the greatest heavyweight ever. He KO'ed Schmelling in first round, a big defeat to Hitler's Aryan supremacy.

Bill Willis is honored by Ohio State University with a mascot statue as the first African American to lead an Ohio State squad to a National Championship Title. Willis went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and is considered to be the first African-American starter in professional football.

A Dawning ... Sunday February 8, 2009 ... by Marv (BerryMan) ... Additional photos in my "Weekend Walk 3" album ... Re: The "New Day" photo ... Last Sunday morning just before sunrise, I saw that there was going to be an unusual-for-Denver "cloudy-sunrise"! ... I drove the 3 or 4 miles to the King Memorial in Denver's City Park, arriving just after the auto-gates were opened for the "New" day!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Denver. Rosa Parks, "The Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement" ... by Marv (BerryMan) ... Additional photos in my "Weekend Walk 3" album.

King and Gandhi. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Denver City Park. ... Additional photos in my "Weekend Walk 3" album.

The Col. W. P. Rogers Camp # 321 Sons of Confederate Veterans, Civil War Reenactment, Mariposa, California, April 26-27, 2008. Not only were there battle reenactments, but also reenactments of the slave culture including their music.

My daughter with a historic enactment character - Abe Lincoln. She was thrilled to get her photo taken with one of her heros. Abe Lincoln quotes: "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent. These men ask for just the same thing, fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have." "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors. A house divided against itself cannot stand."

The Common Burying Ground is made up of graves of colonists in Newport, Rhode Island, who were mainly African slaves and their descendants. This is one of the oldest known African burial grounds in America. It has the first African artwork in the country—headstones carved by a slave named Zingo Stevens, who worked in a stone shop and was freed later. The 282 gravestones date back to the 18th century. They provide an insight into what went on during that period. It also serves as a reminder that Americans of African descent have deep roots in America, its making and its history. This ground is also known as God's Little Acre.

Prospectus for a ficticious and satirical course of Aboriginal studies. Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane.

Taken in the Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane.

A statue of a black islander helping a wounded white soldier during World War 11

In 1685 the Philipses, a wealthy Dutch merchant family, unfortunately began involvement in the slave trade. It was then that Frederick Philipse's ship, the Charles, sailed from Amsterdam to Angola on the Congo River in West Africa to exchange weapons and other goods for Africans. 146 Africans were taken from West Africa to Barbados. Eight of these enslaved Africans were transported to New York, and became the first group of enslaved Africans at the Upper Mills at Philipsburg Manor. The earliest slaves at the Upper Mills would have cleared the land for farming, and probably built structures including the manor house, mill barn, church, and wharf. Due to climatic differences between the two regions of the US, the North depended upon a more diversified agriculture than the South and evolved a correspondingly more varied seasonal work routine. The distinctive nature of northern agriculture combined with the growth of commercial enterprises such as Philipsburg Manor gave rise to a work force that included black artisans highly skilled in different trades. The living museum at Philipsburg honors and remembers these black colonists who helped shape and build colonial USA.

First African American head football coach to win the Superbowl, which is a small feat, in comparison to what Tony has done in his life. This photo was taken at a book signing in Brandon.

BOTH OF THESE PRESIDENTS STOOD UP FOR CHANGE.

Massai mother and child in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. Part of my album: "Thazania. The Massai tribe". I do not live in the US, and have little access to black history. The closest I can get, is pictures from Africa, where their ancestors came from.

Massai warior in Ngorongoro Tanzania. The ear piercing is part of their special style. Part of my album: "Thazania. The Massai tribe". I do not live in the US, and have little access to black history. The closest I can get, is pictures from Africa, where their ancestors came from

Life in the Massai village in Ngorongoro is not easy, as you can see on this woman's face. Part of my album: "Thazania. The Massai tribe". I do not live in the US, and have little access to black history. The closest I can get, is pictures from Africa, where their ancestors came from

One of the stories is of two little slave girls who were found in the shrubs, one of them, Martha was ill and stayed ten years with the family in this house while her younger sister eventually went further north.

"I think I was between two and three years old when the soul-destroyers tore me from my mother's arms, somewhere in Africa far back from the sea. They carried me a long distance to a ship; all the way I looked back and cried. The ship was full of men and women loaded with chains, but I was so small they let me run about on deck."

or we will perish together as fools." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His wife Coretta Scott King said: "Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated."

n December of 1955, Rosa Lee Parks, a black woman, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a municipal bus to a white man. The black community chose Dr.King to organize a boycott to end racial segregation in public transportation.

Roland Hawkins plays a young George Washington Carver in Des Moines operas production of "A Dream Fulfilled". Its about how this state gave the late inventor an education after colleges elsewhere turned him down, because he was black. He went on to discover 300 uses for peanuts. In 1941, Time magazine dubbed him a "Black Leonardo". He studied botany at Iowa State Agricultural College in Ame's, the first black student and later the first black faculty member. Something Iowa should be and probably is very proud of It was held in Johnston's Complex. It was a copy from Des Moines original metro opera

Lincoln was responsible for signing the bill that forbid slavery. Which is the 13th amendment.

Slavery was always central to the war for the south but emancipation was not at the beginning. Fort Monroe’s Post Commander was Major General Butler. His actions were the start of what led to Emancipation. As the Civil War progressed, black people wanted to take an active role in their welfare. Whites on both sides tried to keep the issue of slavery in the background because the war was not about slavery. Three slaves escaped to Ft Monroe and when the Confederates sought return of their chattels under a flag of truce, Major General Butler refused and then hired the 3 slaves to work for the Union Army. He had established a policy that, in effect, freed the slaves. When he reported his actions, the War Department endorsed them. Several months later Congress also declared its agreement that led to the First Confiscations Act. As time went on 500,000 to 700,000 Chattels escaped to the Yankees and Black people joined the fight as soldiers. In July of 1962 Lincoln had decided on emancipation and Black-enlistment in the army, but delayed the announcement of emancipation until the federals won a major victory so it would not look like a desperate gamble from a losing nation. Eventually, almost 179,000 black men served in the Union army and contributed to the Union victory. As time went on Whites forgot more and more about the Black military service and by the First World War Black Americans had to fight the same stereotypes that their ancestors did in the Civil War.

Slavery was always central to the war for the south but emancipation was not at the beginning. Fort Monroe’s Post Commander was Major General Butler. His actions were the start of what led to Emancipation. As the Civil War progressed, black people wanted to take an active role in their welfare. Whites on both sides tried to keep the issue of slavery in the background because the war was not about slavery. Three slaves escaped to Ft Monroe and when the Confederates sought return of their chattels under a flag of truce, Major General Butler refused and then hired the 3 slaves to work for the Union Army. He had established a policy that, in effect, freed the slaves. When he reported his actions, the War Department endorsed them. Several months later Congress also declared its agreement that led to the First Confiscations Act. As time went on 500,000 to 700,000 Chattels escaped to the Yankees and Black people joined the fight as soldiers. In July of 1862 Lincoln had decided on emancipation and Black-enlistment in the army, but delayed the announcement of emancipation until the federals won a major victory so it would not look like a desperate gamble from a losing nation. Eventually, almost 179,000 black men served in the Union army and contributed to the Union victory. As time went on Whites forgot more and more about the Black military service and by the First World War Black Americans had to fight the same stereotypes that their ancestors did in the Civil War.

This is one of the origional slave quarters, the master leader and his family lived here.I personally believe no man, women or child should be enslaved, no matter where their place of origin,a disgrace,to call that country, Free and refuge to those being disgraced!

Mother Nature does not always share human boundries, for shame to those that have eyes and can not see, as well abuse words to make their blindness known!

Seen as a negative in the darkroom, done with photoshop.What would be viewed under darkroom conditions. Perception to expectation, presents a vision that is there, but not always visualized. Developing ones senses is an education!

Needwood Baptist Church was erected in 1849 to provide for the Christian spiritual needs of the slaves working the rice fields at Hofwyl-Broadfield plantation. It had one of the first all black congregations in America. Needwood Baptist Church is on the National Register of Historic Sites. It is located on Hwy 17 one mile south of the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation entrance.

The history of some American music goes back all the way to Africa

...and the beat goes on

The whole world is richer as a result of African music

With ever changing faces projected on a pair of glass fountains with a reflecting pool in between, this was my favorite subject to photograph in Chicago. At this moment the face in the fountain reflects the city's many occupants of color with a face of hope.

This wall mural was photographed somewhere on the South side of Chicago and represents the History of Black Musicians who became a house hold names for all of America.

Thanks to Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, many others have followed in his footsteps, including this talented Washington Nationals player.

the obamas are the first black couple, are the first first family in a long time with young kids, adn one of our younger first couples.

Grant has been described by J.F.C. Fuller as "the greatest general of his age and one of the greatest strategists of any age." In 1868, Grant was elected president as a Republican. Grant was the first president to serve for two full terms since Andrew Jackson forty years before. He led Radical Reconstruction and built a powerful patronage-based Republican party in the South. He took a hard line that reduced violence by groups like the Ku Klux Klan. In recent years, his reputation and value as president has increased among scholars impressed by his support for civil rights for African Americans. Ulysses S. Grant quote: "Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace. And in that, I propose peace for all men, not only some."

let us walk together

Within a black man's history is his own personal history, this is Andy graduating from Culinary Arts School!

I liked the sunshine hitting everyone [Aidan, Ethan and Uncle Andy]in this shot!

This beautiful statue was on loan for exhibit at the Paterson museum in 2007. This statue to me represents the beauty and intensity of talent brought to our country and history by people of color - that our country is built and enhanced by the beautiful diversity of many cultures and backgrounds.

This reconstucted pit was either built to hold slaves before they were taken to the coast in Africa, or else they were used to hold livetsock at night. Logs are lifted within the hut above the tunnel to allow entry and can be viewed in album.

How I'm looking from the Netherlands to the election of president Obama

George Washington Carver was an American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor whose studies and teaching revolutionized agriculture in the Southern United States. The day and year of his birth are unknown; he is believed to have been born before slavery was abolished in Missouri in January 1864. Much of Carver's fame is based on his research into and promotion of alternative crops to cotton, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes. He wanted poor farmers to grow alternative crops both as a source of their own food and as a source of other products to improve their quality of life. The George Washington Carver Garden is located in the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri. P1190443

Chapungu (nature, man, and myth) was on exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2007. Carved from opal stone, cobalt, and springstone, the hand-carved sculptures from Zimbabwe, the statues depict their African creators' traditional close bond to nature and the environment. This piece was by Nicholas Kadzungura and was named "Teaching Mother to Read." The sign read--"Mother says we must teach her everything we learn in school. She is a good pupil! " Made of Springstone in 2003. P1090650

Who was here first

They who were here first. Shot at the Alice Springs War Memorial. Made a few adjustments that we may better remember.

(France\Alsace\Strasbourg : 2009/02/13) [20090324 P2139564BNWC]

Just funnin' around- Congratulations to the new family in the White House!

This VERY old doll was given to my mom ages ago- she doesn't even remember when. I placed her in a basket that was made to commemorate the first Bush inauguration.

Sitting on a pedestal of roses and at an Eagle's feet, this is the best I could really represent all of the changes finally taking place.

Black History: From Slavery to the White House

In 1922, Garett Morgan applied for a patent that would direct traffic without the need of a human presence and that would also tell pedestrians when it was safe to cross the street.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, granting slaves their freedom. This image, of Lincoln reading to his son Chad, graced the cover of Harper's Weekly after his assassination and also became a postage stamp.

Jackie Robinson became the first African-American professional baseball player of the modern era in 1947, opening with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Mack Robinson, the older brother of baseball's Jackie Robinson, finished second to Olympic legend Jesse Owens in the 200 meters in the 1936 Berlin Games. Jackie and Mack Robinson are honored with these two nine-foot tall, 2700 pound sculptures by artist Ralph Helmick in front of Pasadena City Hall in California.

obama will be a wonderful president if the government will work with him. he reaches out. he won the election. i think it was a mandate. he is doing what america wants...or trying to.

This wonderful tribute to the black cowboy was part of a Pepsi ad affixed to the wall on a side of a store in the Fair park area in Dallas.

As I gazed upon the innocent face of this lovely young lady, I wondered if she had yet experienced the stigma and hatred foisted upon those of her color by ignorant and bigoted people and hoped so much that she and those of her generation never would.

This marvelous representation of Malcolm X was part of a mural painted on the side of a recycling center in South Dallas near Fair Park.