American History

Written more than a century ago, the song, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, was able to capture the emotions of Black Americans very well. It celebrated emancipation and conveyed the feelings of accomplishment of the African Americans. It affirmed the strength that African Americans had exhibited during the journey from slavery to freedom. […]

The lyrics of James W. Johnson’s song, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, called for collective action; urged African Americans not to suffer silently; and reminded that the pain of the past was not to be minimized. […]

James W. Johnson saw white supremacy as a powerful force impacting the lives of every African American. To bring about changes, he practiced law, ran a school, published a newspaper, and pursued poetry and songwriting. […]

The whites wanted to abolish and segregate the African Americans. With this end in view they conspired against Alexander Manly, a newspaper editor, and overthrew the government following a violent attack. […]

Though for African Americans, securing civil rights was an essential part of their freedom rights agenda, white legislators both in the North and South didn’t see eye to eye on the matter. […]

Ending the practice of slavery after the Civil War left people pondering over what economic system could replace it for the sake and advancement of the southern economy. […]

Grant Parish, Louisiana, was a tense place in the midst of the 1872 gubernatorial election. White supremacists wanted to oust the Black and white Republican coalition in the local office. […]

African Americans had gained a large amount of wisdom regarding freedom rights when they were slaves. In the post-emancipation era, it was time to put that wisdom to use. […]

Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, over two and a half years had to pass for African American slaves to be truly freed. […]