African-American Exhibit at U of I

I have been asked why I am a member of the Afro-American History Society of Champaign-Urbana. After much thought I realize that history, any history, has been a favorite hobby all of my life. I like to relate to people. There is much to be gained in remembering the past, and more to be gained by projecting into the future that which has been learned as it relates to the improvement of people. Technology changes but human nature has been the same since the beginning of time.

Some of us arrived in this area around 1860 traveling by wagon, usually pulled by mules. One side of my family came from the eastern coast originating in and around Mt. Airey, North Carolina. The other side of my family came from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Other families came from Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Most came escaping oppression and for economic reasons after the Civil War. Religion and faith were the threads that held our families together. Even until this day, religion and faith and family ties keep us together.

Men were the head of the family, strong men. Women were the keepers of the home. The family Bible was, in most families, the recorder of family connections.

Most of the early Negroes were former slaves. As slaves they had many talents. They were the builders of plantations, the workers of the fields, the makers of furniture, the woodchoppers, dressmakers, tailors. But as freedmen, when they arrived in the North, they found that these jobs were closed to them. They often worked as maids, farm hands, barbers, laborers, cooks, housekeepers, railroad gandy dancers, and a few ministers of the Gospel. It was not the land of opportunity they had been led to believe it was. They were still colored.

Afro-American families settled in communities in and around Champaign County. Some settled near Broadlands, some near Newman, some in Tuscola, across the county line, some in Bellflower, some in or around Mansfield, Homer, Sidney, Ogden, Gibson City, Hoopston, Danville and Loda. Many of these families were related. When one family became established they would send for others to come north. Many of the relatives traveled on to Chicago and worked in steel mills, stock yards and as barbers, beauticians and laborers.

We, as a historical group, are trying to establish a permanent record...something the children of our community can point to with pride and realize the dignity and resourcefulness that was a part of their heritage.

When they look at the newly renamed streets of the Martin Luther King subdivision, when they see the Illinois Memorial Stadium, when they see the names of Holt, Phillips, Pope, Nelson, Foxwell, Dr. Ellis Edition, Wesley Park, Bridgewater Park, Lee, Britt, Rivers, Alexander, Jordan, Edwards - there is a reason for Champaign-Urbana honoring these family names. These are just a few of those who have contributed to our community. There are so many more persons and families, too numerous to describe at this time, who have contributed to the well being of the county of Champaign, the cities of Champaign-Urbana, the surrounding communities, the State of Illinois, and the United States of America.

Why am I interested in Afro-American history? Any history?

1. We are here because of the effort, works, hardships and accomplishments of our parents and forefathers.
2. We are progressing because they gave us a background of ethics, principles and religion, a reason for existing.
3. We do not want to repeat the wrongs of the past. We are remembering those who passed on to us the courage and determination to succeed.
4. To remember the past, to glean from the past the good things, "The good men do is oft interred with their bones." People are quick to remember the evil. It makes for a good story to remember the bad. That's why the tabloids, television, Internet, movies and books of today are geared to the worst in us.
5. The sacrifices made in the movement of the "60's", the Civil Rights movement, to secure a better future for our children, has left a void for many of us who were not able to enter through the brief span of time the door has been open, and it is slowly closing.
6. If this group does nothing else but reach one person, one child...to make them realize the values and efforts that were put forth on their behalf by our ancestors; if it causes them to stop, to consider their own futures and the futures of their children, to fill that void that is rapidly being filled with hate, crime and deviousness, it will have accomplished what we have set out to do. We remember and honor our ancestors. We are a very important part of America and we want our children to know they are very special and are our reason for being.

Some of us may never make it into the 21st century, but we would like to be remembered as having prepared our children for the future by giving them a sense of security and stability.