Monday, March 14, 2011

Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954) knew slavery did not end in 1863

Slavery, involuntary servitude, and peonage are all relatively the same thing as argued by Assistant Attorney General, in November 1908 (See The shadow of slavery: peonage in the South, 1901-1969, by Pete Daniel, page 105).  Persons in these conditions all suffered from being held against their will, forced labor, and the like. The reason the term peonage was adopted was because prosecuting someone based on the enslavement of another left an open door to a defendant. The objection was that since slavery had been outlawed, no one in the United States could be convicted of it because it did not exist. Crazy, right? What if we could not convict someone for murder because it was considered not to exist only by the virtue of it being outlawed?

Peonage and involuntary servitude became substitutes for the word slavery. I reserve the right here to use these words interchangeably because I feel they are all relatively the same. Just keep in mind that prosecutors needed to distinguish between slavery and peonage in order to secure convictions. The word peonage  lessens the severity because not many can define it. We know a great deal about slavery, and I would say, by any other name it is still the same. Who can define exactly what victims were subjected too under peonage? Perpetrators took the same liberties over those under peonage as they did under slavery when it existed. Crimes committed after 1865 were even more heinous than slavery, because laws against such acts had been instituted.

People such as Mary Church Terrell knew the practice of slavery had not ended. Both of her parents, Robert Reed Church and Louisa Ayers had been slaves. They understood the liberating power of education, and they sent her from Memphis, Tennessee where she was born to Antioch Model College School in Yellow Springs for elementary and secondary school.
Mary Church TerrellMary Church Terrell (1863-1954) Image via Wikipedia

At Oberlin College, Mary became the editor of the Oberlin Review and earned and became one of the first African American women to earn a bachelor's degree in 1884. She went on to teach at a school in Washington D.C. and at Wilberforce University in Ohio. After two years of study in Europe, she became fluent in French, German, and Italian.

Her accomplishments are too great to do justice here. I would suggest you read her autobiography, "A Colored Woman in a White World." Mary Church Terrell became a strong civil rights activist and was a leader in the woman's suffrage movement. See Mary Church Terrell to learn more.



"Mary used her education in journalism to bring awareness to the world that people where still held as slaves and that slavery did not end as alleged in 1863 for hundreds of thousands of people in 16 states and 27 counties," said Antoinette Harrell, "Notable people such as Mary Church Terrell, Thurgood Marshall, James Weldon Johnson, and Fannie Lou Hamer knew that slavery did not end."

Antoinette Harrell personally feels the importance of unearthing and disclosing records from such notable people in the world whose voices should be heard. As a writer and researcher, I feel compelled and honored to write about the peonage research of Antoinette Harrell and to bring to you the following documentation which Antoinette discovered in the National Archives which illustrates the frustration which Mary Church Terrell brought to those in Florida who upheld the institution of peonage.

This letter found among  Dept. of Justice collection NARG60
This letter found among  Dept. of Justice collection NARG60


The Chamber of Commerce in Tampa, Florida is responding to Secretary of State, Elihu Root, after he declined the invitation to attend an Immigration Convention. Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce seems rather agitated by what he perceives as governmental endorsement of "slander" about peonage in the South. The convention was planned to "show" that they were preventing peonage. 

Thompson expresses his anger about Department of Justice investigations and writings of Mary Church Terrell and others.  Even though Thompson says there was not enough evidence to convict. I will show in the next post that in fact, there were convictions.
"I am learning the hidden history by researching my own genealogy.  Documents such as these and other artifacts and memorabilia would not have been revealed if I had not been on my personal genealogy journey," Antoinette Harrell.

Last night, Antoinette's special guest, Fabiola Clark-Taylor, said that she had named her the "Bloodhound of Genealogy."  This is absolutely true.  Just recently, Antoinette proved beyond a shadow of a doubt how far her great diligence in searching and preserving will take her.  Look for an upcoming post on her latest find below on About Our Freedom.

           Antoinette Harrell salvages history, Walter C. Black, Sr. photographer


For lectures, interviews,  and more information on the subject of peonage, contact:
Antoinette Harrell  504-858-4658
                             afrigenah@yahoo.com


Enhanced by Zemanta

39 comments:

  1. Good and another post from you admin :)
    I hope to visit my Site : Articles2day.Org

    ReplyDelete
  2. This written piece gives fastidious understanding yet. sound systems for churches

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi buddy! This post is written quite better! Reading throughout this post reminds me of my best friend! I would forward this post to him.
    direct payday lenders

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your blog is really one amongst my most favorite blogs, it’s so creative.
    auto insuarnce comparison

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome article, keep up the great working and congratulation for the appreciation of all the people to you. compare auto insurance rates

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nobody can reject the info you have given in the blogs, this is actually a great work.orogold reviews

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi to all! I would love to say something here that this is overall truly splendid blog. ENGINE REPAIR TROY

    ReplyDelete
  8. The piece of writing has really allured me, nice try! auto repair Folsom

    ReplyDelete
  9. First-class website! I really love it!! Thanks for sharing such latest thing with us. residential electrician Cary NC

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, I just desired to give you quick thumbs up on your work, really fantastic blog! hvac Sierra Vista

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice answers in replace of the question with real point of view and explaining about that.internet pay day loans

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your blog is much appreciative it has really compelled me to comment on this. Overland Park car repair

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you so0o0 very much for your kind help!! best kitchen remodel Moore

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so0o0 very much for your kind help!! best kitchen remodel Moore

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is quite impulsive post, I liked the way you write and explain all the things clearly. Thanks triton tank

    ReplyDelete
  16. I discovered your site very effective; I’ll regularly check the same website for learning more and more. sigelei 150w box mod

    ReplyDelete
  17. The stuff in this blog is in not only incredible but also providing the great knowledge to the people.payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is a great post; it was very edifying. I look ahead in reading more of your work.MacFarlane Group

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your blog! What should I say in its praise… relevant, lastly something which surely helped me? Thanks car insurance quotes

    ReplyDelete
  20. Pleasant effort, very edifying, this would help me to complete my task. Thanks for sharing it with us keep it up. cash loan

    ReplyDelete
  21. These are truly amongst the wonderful informative blogs. niche profit full control

    ReplyDelete
  22. Superb way of explaining, and great blog to get wonderful information. car insurance rates

    ReplyDelete
  23. I was seeking this convinced info for a long time. Thank you for offering such great information and good luck. compare auto insurance quotes

    ReplyDelete
  24. I was seeking this convinced info for a long time. Thank you for offering such great information and good luck. whole life

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi buddy, I got your blog by the use of Google while searching on same issue and then your post looked very motivating for me. payday loans no credit check

    ReplyDelete
  26. This text is really worth everyone’s concentration. It sounds really go0o0d. callmd

    ReplyDelete
  27. Every week-end I used to pay a fast visit this site, because I’d like enjoyment, because this web site conations certainly fussy material.forklift training

    ReplyDelete
  28. The whole thing is extremely open and clear details of issues. It’s true information. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. auto insurance

    ReplyDelete
  29. This webpage comprises of a pleasant knowledge and giving lessons as well, I loved it lots more. payday loan

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am so happy and proud of you to provide such amazing stuff, I’m truly thankful to you! new york accident lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  31. Nice website full of quite interesting and informative posts, so must keep on good working! new york motorcycle accident lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  32. That’s as well nice, hope it will make a Rocking place for youth and I also Hope that will come true. Best of luck!! Dansker & Aspromonte Assoc

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi guys, I really enjoyed your blog it was quite inspirational, keep posting! life alert reviews

    ReplyDelete
  34. The information you have given in the blog really marvelous and more interesting.
    multi payment payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  35. Seriously, I consider your blog is one amongst best blogs that I found. Your efforts awfully help make reading your blog considerably easier. capaydayloans

    ReplyDelete
  36. As a newcomer, I search for all time online for great posts and articles that will help me. So thank you for this awesome site. what usually happens if there is no citations in a auto accident

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks for such superb info; this in actual fact comes in handy. automotive tinting

    ReplyDelete
  38. How I Got My Loan From A Genuine And Reliable Loan Company

    Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs.Irene Query. I live in Philippines and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $150,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 2 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of$150,000.00 US. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs.Irene Query, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.


    1. Your Full names:_______
    2. Contact address:_______
    3. Country Of Residence:______
    4. Loan Amount Required:________
    5. Duration:_____
    6. Gender:_____
    7. Occupation:________
    8. Monthly Income:_______
    9. Date Of Birth:________
    10.Telephone Number:__________

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Us: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...