NewsBreak Original

Writer. Story Teller. Poet. Performer. Activist. Hannah Drake wears many hats, and can now add one to her repertoire... Counselor. Ms. Drake reached out to me recently after reading my article The Arterburn Genealogy: A Family Tree With Rotten Roots. We discussed her newest endeavor, which is the (Un)Known Project Trail, which gives those impacted by slavery a digital place to search their souls. It's both a memorial to enslaved people whose stories will never be uncovered and a challenge to unearth narratives hidden in attics and archives reports The New York Times.

Thinking about examining your family tree? Be prepared for the worst. My trip down ancestry lane began with a wrinkled snapshot my cousin showed me one day with a snicker. It was a photo of a Kentucky historical marker skirting a parking lot in downtown Louisville, Ky. which read:

When we think of slavery in America, we often think of the transatlantic slave trade and the brutal conditions enslaved Africans faced on plantations in the South. However, there is a dark aspect of slavery in America that is often overlooked: the breeding farms.

On March 20, 1854, anti-slavery activists within the US Whig political party took a bold stand against the Kansas-Nebraska Act, forming the new Republican Party. This pivotal moment in American history saw notable politicians, including Abraham Lincoln, Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur, and Benjamin Harrison, switch allegiance to join the newly-established party. But what was the background to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and how did it lead to the formation of the Republican Party? This article delves into the historical context and explores the events that led to creating one of America’s most influential political parties.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – San Francisco is taking a bold step toward addressing the centuries-long legacy of slavery and systemic racism by considering a draft reparations plan that would provide significant financial support to eligible Black adults. The plan, which is unmatched nationwide in its specificity and breadth, was released by the city-appointed reparations committee in December.

San Francisco city supervisors have backed the idea of giving reparations to its eligible black residents. The federal government’s promise of giving each freed slave a mule and 40 acres of land was never implemented.The more than 100 proposals include a $5 million lump sum. The final decision is expected to be known later in the year. Supporters of giving reparations point to the redlining and other restrictions forced on black people which determined where they could live or do business. A lot of black people immigrated to San Francisco in the 1940s because of shipyard work.

The Maryland Campaign of 1862 is Confederate General Robert E. Lee's First Invasion of the North. Lee is motivated by the need for supplies and the chance to reduce Northern support for the war. Lee divides his army, but Union soldiers find a copy of his plans, and General George B. McClellan advances to prevent Lee's army from reuniting. The Union victory at the Battle of South Mountain gives McClellan a chance to crush Lee's army. However, McClellan fails to take advantage and the Maryland Campaign continues.

Slavery was integral to Ancient Rome's social, economic, and political life. Slaves were owned by both affluent and ordinary citizens and were engaged in various activities such as agriculture, household chores, mining, and construction. They were considered property without legal validity and treated according to their owner's wishes. This article will delve into the life of slaves in Ancient Rome.

The title might come as a shock to many people. However, it is true! I’m sure you’ve all heard inspirational stories or tales from your parents or elders regarding people who went from being entirely broke to incredibly wealthy and the opposite!

The Founding Fathers had a tough time finding a solution to the problem posed by the slavery system. They had all been raised in a culture that practiced slavery, where the institution's ethics were rarely questioned. Even though some of the colonies supported the system of slavery and others did not, the truth remained that slavery had strong ties in the territories.

Some Supreme Court decisions can be understood within the context of the era. Still, regardless of the times, as human beings, it’s hard to come to terms with the reasons behind some of their decisions. March 6, 1857, was a day that left a stain on American history when the Supreme Court justified slavery.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - Indiana Landmarks' Black Heritage Preservation Program is making strides in preserving Indiana's Black history one site at a time. The program was established in September 2022 to locate and preserve historic African American sites throughout the state. The program provides grants for projects that document and draw attention to the heritage that is no longer present with physical sites and projects that restore sites.

TALLAHASSEE, FL. - Florida Senator Blaise Ingoglia has proposed the "Extreme Drop Act," which would require the Division of Races to drop any political party's filings that have supported or been on the side of slavery or automatic subjugation. SB 1248 was introduced on Tuesday and would automatically label voters of the dissolved party as "no party affiliation" if the legislation passes.

Henry "Box" Brown became a noted abolitionist speaker, showman, and magician, but his first trick was undoubtedly his best. The journey from slavery in the South to freedom in the North in antebellum America was perilous. Failure along the way could lead to cruel punishments or even death. But, the desire to escape enslavement was so strong in some that they took extraordinary risks.

RICHMOND, VA. - Republican-led states in the US have been accused of attempting to erase or downplay the history of African Americans, including the horrors of slavery. This has sometimes led to efforts to suppress or ignore Black history altogether.

In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, a boy was born into slavery in Henrico County, Virginia, on Brookfield Plantation, which was owned by Thomas Prosser. The boy was given the name “Gabriel” and 24 years later he help organize a slave rebellion in Virginia.

The open slave market in Libya has been an ongoing issue for years, and it is a clear violation of human rights. Reports of individuals being sold as slaves in open markets have sparked outrage around the world, but the situation remains dire. The international community must take action to put an end to this barbaric practice and provide support to victims.

President’s Day is a federal holiday celebrated annually on the third Monday in February. It is a day to honor all American presidents, past and present. However, the origins of this holiday are somewhat complex and have evolved over the years. Let’s take a closer look at the history of President’s Day and how it has changed over time.

The American Civil War was one of the most defining moments in the history of the United States. It was a conflict that pitted brother against brother and left a lasting impact on the country. The outcome of the war was for the best as a country, but it was not without its challenges.

Capitalism and slavery have a complex and intertwined history. Capitalism, which is often associated with economic growth and prosperity, was built on the backs of enslaved Africans who were forcibly brought to the Americas to work on plantations. The profits generated by slavery were essential to the growth and development of the capitalist system, yet the exploitation and oppression of enslaved people was a fundamental contradiction at the heart of this system.