~*~*~*~*~*~

A Black History Moment  " It's never too early to get unknown and valuable information."
 It is hard to believe that after my many years of  schooling the following facts about the Statue of Liberty were never taught.
 Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people including myself have visited the Statue of Liberty over the years but yet I'm unable to find one person who knows the true history behind the Statue - amazing! Yes, amazing that so much important Black history (such as this) is hidden from us (Black and White). What makes this even worse is the fact that the current twist on history perpetuates and promotes white supremacy at the expense of Black Pride.
 During a recent visit to France, many of my friends saw the original Statue of Liberty. However there was a difference...the statue in France is BLACK!
You learn something new everyday huh???
 The Statue of Liberty was originally a Black woman, but, as memory serves, it was because the model was Black. In a book called "The Journey of The Songhai People", according to Dr. Jim Haskins, a member of the National Education Advisory Committee of the Liberty-Ellis Island Committee, professor of English at the University of Florida, and prolific Black author, points out that what stimulated the original idea for that 151 foot statue in the harbor.

 He says that the idea for the creation of the statue initially was the part that Black soldiers played in the ending of Black African Bondage in the United States. It was created in the mind of the French historian Edouard de Laboulaye, chairman of the French Antislavery Society, who, together with sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, proposed to the French government that the people of France present to the people of the United States through the American Abolitionist Society, the gift of a Statue of Liberty in recognition of the fact that Black soldiers won the Civil War in the United States. It was widely known
then that it was Black soldiers who played the pivotal role in winning the war, and this gift would be a tribute to their prowess.
Suzanne Nakasian, Director of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Foundations' National Ethnic Campaign said that the Black Americans' direct connection to
 Lady Liberty is unknown to the majority of Americans, BLACK and WHITE. When the statue was presented to the US. Minister to France in 1884, it is said that he remonstrated that the dominant view of the broken shackles would be offensive to a US South, because since the statue was a reminder of Blacks winning their freedom. It was a reminder to a beaten South of  the ones who caused their defeat, their despised former captives.

 Documents of Proof:
1.) You may go and see the original model of the Statue of Liberty, with the broken chains at her feet and in her left hand. Go to the Museum of the City of N.Y, Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street (212) 534-1672 or call the same number and dial ext.208 and speak to Peter Simmons and he can send you some documentation.

 2.) Check with the NY Times magazine, part II May 18,1986.

 3.) The dark original face of the Statue of Liberty can be seen in the NY Post June 17, 1986, also the Post stated the reason for the broken chains at her feet.

 4.) Finally, you may check with the French Mission or the French Embassy at the U.N or in Washington, DC and
 ask for some original French material on the Statue of  Liberty, including the Bartholdi original model You can call in September (202) 944-6060 or 6400.

 Please pass this information along! Knowledge is Power!

 Nora L. Starks
Director of Human Resources
 Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
 270 Washington Street, SW, Ste. 7057
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 657-2510

This piece was submitted to me From Thomas Edghill 

< <back to Newsletter vol 7