Early African presence in America:

Primary learning topics:

þ The social, economic, and psychological factors that shaped the beginnings of slavery in the north and south

þ How sin manifests itself in our lives (first the thought, then the rationalization, then the manifestation)

þ The harsh conditions endured while making the passage from Africa to the Americas

þ The rich cultural heritage and traditions which traveled the Middle Passage with the Africans to permeate African-American and all cultures throughout the ages

A critical error in discussing the early arrival and presence of African-Americans is to begin this era of history with the status in America as slaves. It is critical to the building of self-esteem in African-American children, and the awareness of all, that the heritage of African-American is one as sons and daughters of royalty--not the primitive, almost non-human images all too often portrayed on television. Consider laying this foundation with books such as Margaret Musgrove's Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions to list African traditions which were brought to America, or Phil Mendez's The Black Snowman to discuss perceptual versus realistic images of blackness.

Introduce the original presence in America with the landing of twenty Africans at Jamestown, VA by reading pages 51-54 of Denmark Vesey by Lillie Edwards. Consider, if appropriate for your child, showing the illustrations from Tom Feelings' The Middle Passage, portraying the conditions on the slave ships.

Read James Berry's Ajeemah and His Son. Although this story portrays the experience of an African sent to Jamaica to become a slave, it depicts the plight of all Africans shipped to the Western Hemisphere for the purposes of slavery.

Ajeemah and His Son can be enjoyed according to the following schedule:

Day 1	Pages 1-8
Day 2	Pages 9-16
Day 3	Pages 17-27
Day 4	Pages 28-36
Day 5	Pages 37-44
Day 6	Pages 45-53
Day 7	Pages 54-64
Day 8	Pages 65-74
Day 9	Pages 75-83

Activity:

1) Use a world map to highlight the African passage to the Americas. (See also page 24 of Denmark Vesey by Lillie Edwards).

Read Melissa Maupin's Benjamin Banneker. This short biography can be read at approximately one chapter per day. The story of Benjamin Banneker is presented here as a prelude to an activity following in which the student will compare and contrast the lives of African-Americans who were given opportunities to be educated and to contribute versus the everyday life of most slaves.

Read Miriam Morris Fuller's Phillis Wheatley, America's First Black Poetess. This very moving biography can be read at approximately one chapter per day.

I was awakened and brought to see myself, poor, wretched and undone, and without the mercy of God must be lost. Shortly after, I obtained mercy through the blood of Christ and was constrained to seek the Lord. I went rejoicing for several days and was happy in the Lord, in conversing with many old, experienced Christians. I was brought under doubts, and was tempted to believe I was deceived and was constrained to see the Lord afresh. I went with my head bowed down for many days. My sins were a heavy burden. I was tempted to believe there was no mercy for me. I cried to the Lord both night and day. I cried unto him who delighteth to hear the prayers of a poor sinner, and all of a sudden my dungeon shook, and glory to God, I cried. My soul was filled. I cried, enough for me—the Saviour died.

Richard Allen, on his conversion in 1777

(Klots, page 21)

Note: Richard Allen and the formation of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church are not discussed here to uplift denominationalism. Rather, Richard Allen is regarded by many as the nation’s first African-American leader, and the church he founded was, and is, a powerful force for social reform and African-American migration and advancement.

Read pages 11-17 of Richard Allen by Steve Klots.

Read pages 29-34 (mid-page) of Richard Allen. Also, to conclude the story of the origin of the AME church, read the following to your child, as taken from Albert J. Roboteau’s A Fire in the Bones: Reflections on African-American Religious History:

‘So began the movement that resulted in the most important black denomination and arguably the most important African-American institution for most of the nineteenth century, the African-American Methodist Episcopal Church. As a center for social organization, economic cooperation, educational endeavor, leadership training, political articulation, and religious life, the AME Church exercised unrivaled influence in many black communities. It was for that period the preeminent example of the black church, the one institution that African-Americans controlled. Its history, therefore, and in particular the story of its origins are central to understanding the development and the structures of black community life.’

To Ask and Think about: What was the difference of work life for an Africans in northern America versus one who was sent to the southern states? Why were Africans preferred over Native Americans as workers for the European settlers? Christians like Phillis Wheatley and Richard Allen believed in the Lord as their savior and emancipator while yet trapped in a world where they were considered anything but free and equal. What does this say about God’s plan for salvation?