Black History Month Profile: Edward Wilmot Blyden
(This is the second in a series of articles celebrating Black History Month submitted by Winston Nugent.)
Edward Wilmot Blyden
He was born on August 1832 on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands when it was under Danish rule of free, literate parents. In his youthful thought he decided to become a clergyman and so he went to the United States in 1850 and sought to enter a theological college but was rejected because of the color of his skin.
In 1851 he immigrated to Liberia, an African American colony which had become independent as a republic in 1847. He became deeply involved in its development. His descendents still reside in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
He believed that Black Americans suffering discrimination had a role to play in the development of Africa by leaving America. He is regarded widely as the “Father” of pan-Africanism.
Bio-spotlight
- He was the Liberian Secretary of State and Minister of Interior.
- From 1855-1856 he edited the Liberia Herald and wrote “A Voice from Bleeding Africa.”
- AS a diplomat he served as an Ambassador for Liberia to Britain and France.
- His work “Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race” caused the most controversy in Britain not because of its content but because of disbelief that a black African had written it.
He died on Feburary 7, 1912.
Greetings white wondah, thanks for adding to the conversation. Others would rather us “talk about current affairs” and neglect our history which has gotten us to this point.
Bless bless.
well yu know..nationalism is the great divider amongst men.
but regardless, a region like the VI that is and has been such a crossroads for so many nations, with such a rich and proud culture counted amongst its members of the diaspora, as well the the non-africans, many of whom also contribute positively to the islands ever changing history…should never be forgotten or belittled. the VI is a special place, unique to the globe.
this coming from a crucian ex-pat w/ white skin who thinks being raised in a black nation was a priceless & superbly beneficial experience. corruption? yes. VI is corrupt. so is chicago. so is everywhere. transcend the petty, uplift the many.
I am a white man who has a rescent similer experiance where the world dehumanised a race or group of people, i would never say that because of this I can know how aneone else feels, its apples and oranges. there just in the same genral catagory. What I do know is its inapropreate to use VI black history month for anything other than a celabration of black history, I celabrate with you, I moved here because of your culture and your acomplesihments the good news is that despite what some may want to condition there aceptance of a black run community with, it is for the most part a wonderful life, I thank the many people that made it possible for me to come here, I especialy thank the west enders ( thats where I live) who have acepted my and my family, the more people that i get to know and the more that get to know me make me feel part of the community.all of my neibors like us and we try to fit into there comunity, I have a wonderful life and Iam greatfullto my friends and neibors who make it so,all in all id say black history in the Vi is a living history,all interconnected with where the people come from and are going, and no smallbssiness owner its not new york or any stateside place and if your going to be here then you must do what blacks have had to do for years,learn to celabrate someone elses history and acept that its truths are a powerful testament to its people, what i have found is on this island your not asked to be black, act black, think black,you are asked to celbrate there freedom to be exactly who they are, most crucians i know are suspisious of out siders but there hearts are still open, still warm and still filled with joy, to fit in you lead with your heart first, not your brain, I love this place I love the people, I love black history month, it all makes st croix exactly what it is.
@Marooned1 on February 17, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Definitely and without hesitation!
big up rainmam, big up!
STXBusinessOwner thank you for your verbal support, however in the long run our actions today will dictate our future. Thank you also rainman.
Please also keep in mind that until Virgin Islanders are safe, have access to affordable food, affordable health care, culturally sensitive education policy, economic opportunities that do not include signing our rights away, etc., then anyone can come here and be safe, have access to the above. However, the more Virgin Islanders are marginalized expect a huge push back that will not be nice for anyone, even us.
I know “Black History Month” is over, however, I came across this interesting article. Gives some insight to the Middle Passage.
Bristol archaeologists unearth slave burial ground on St Helena
Archaeologists from the University of Bristol have unearthed a unique slave burial ground on the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena. The excavation, which took place in advance of construction of a new airport on the island, has revealed dramatic insights into the victims of the Atlantic slave trade during the notorious Middle Passage.
http://bristol.ac.uk/news/2012/8294.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Helena