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Welcome to today's Spoutible CRT thread!
There's anger in the US about Florida's latest effort to whitewash the Black enslavement history in this nation. Let's walk thru some facts about the skills Africans and later, American-born slaves possessed despite the terrors of their enslavement.
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There's anger in the US about Florida's latest effort to whitewash the Black enslavement history in this nation. Let's walk thru some facts about the skills Africans and later, American-born slaves possessed despite the terrors of their enslavement.
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08:27 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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Before I begin my spouting thread, please know #Spoutible that I wrote and published a book about Black American tech knowledge since the beginning of time thru to 2015. I'm not an expert on everything about this subject, but I know enough to help inform you with correct information.
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08:30 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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When looking at Black enslavement in America, there are 3 separate periods of enslavement. The Early Colonial period of enslavement. The post-Colonial.Period of Enslavement. The Pre-Civil War period of enslavement. Each period used Black people's knowledge and skills in different ways.
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08:33 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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In the very early days of the Jamestown Colony when the 1st African slaves were brought to live with the settlers, there was a need for the colony to bring in people with skills such as blacksmithing to sustain life in the new world. Africans have been blacksmiths since 1500 BCE.
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08:40 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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The Early Jamestown colonists also has another serious problem.
Many of the white settlers didn't know how to grow FOOD.
If you visit Jamestown, VA today, you will hear how the White settlers relied on Native Americans and Black slaves to grow food.
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Many of the white settlers didn't know how to grow FOOD.
If you visit Jamestown, VA today, you will hear how the White settlers relied on Native Americans and Black slaves to grow food.
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08:45 AM - Jul 22, 2023
(Edited)
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Jamestown's dilemma of having settlers who possessed limited skills was repeated by other new colonies in the early days of America. Many of the Whites shipped to America were criminals, poor ppl, or the religiously persecuted people. They didn't teach slaves what they, themselves, didn't know.
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08:51 AM - Jul 22, 2023
(Edited)
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As America's early colonies grew, so did their need to produce products to pay back the debts they owed the companies subsidizing their immigration to the new world.
One product shipped to the Europe was cotton cloth dyed with indigo made from human urine.
Africans knew how to make indigo.
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One product shipped to the Europe was cotton cloth dyed with indigo made from human urine.
Africans knew how to make indigo.
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08:58 AM - Jul 22, 2023
(Edited)
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If you watch the Ken Burns' heralded film about Thomas Jefferson, you will hear how George Washington made his first money exporting indigo fabrics to Europe. Ken Burns' highlights that George Washington was shrewd in buying slaves with skills he needed to make his farm a success.
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09:03 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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White settlers in South Carolina struggled with producing products to send back to Europe for their debts before the cotton gin invention. The southerners tried to grow rice to pay their debts to Europe...and failed. Once they imported Africans who knew how to grow rice, they grew their wealth.
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09:09 AM - Jul 22, 2023
(Edited)
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Can you see the reason the Florida education change hit so deeply with those Americans, of all races, who know that the enslaved Africans were a group of SMART and HIGHLY SKILLED people caught up in a horrific reality.
DeSanris doesn't want any of our children to know this, #Spoutible .
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DeSanris doesn't want any of our children to know this, #Spoutible .
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09:15 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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It should be noted that in the other heralded Ken Burns documentary on Benjamin Franklin that while Ben Franklin was known to prejudicially believe African slaves and Blacks, in general, were ignorant and of no unique talent...
Franklin changed his mind and acknowledged he was wrong.
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Franklin changed his mind and acknowledged he was wrong.
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pbs.org
Watch Benjamin Franklin: A Ken Burns Film | Full Documentary Now Streaming | PBS
Ken Burns’s four-hour documentary, Benjamin Franklin, explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.
09:22 AM - Jul 22, 2023
(Edited)
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It is recorded by many American historians that African slaves shipped to America had skills in metal working, cooking, crop growth and harvesting, medicine, midwifery, etc.
1st small pox vaccine was administered to Ben Franklin by an African slave.
Slaves taught whites about "aspirin".
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1st small pox vaccine was administered to Ben Franklin by an African slave.
Slaves taught whites about "aspirin".
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09:30 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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Britain abolished African slavery in 1807. But America was still a young growing country needing resources to pay its American Revolution debts to France. So, America began "breeding" its own slaves within the continent. Black women became experts in the science of midwifery.
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nmaahc.si.edu
The Historical Significance of Doulas and Midwives | National Museum of African American History and Culture
Today, Midwives are trained healthcare providers who operate both at birthing centers, hospitals, and private residences to care for and support healthy mothers and newborns before, after, and during childbirth. However, midwifery has existed for centuries prior to its earliest recorded practice in ..
09:36 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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At this time, other European nations continued importing slaves into their colonies. Britain seized any slave ship in its waters. The slave trade exploded directly from Africa to non-British islands.
Africa's tech development slowed because so many w/skills were enslaved and exported.
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Africa's tech development slowed because so many w/skills were enslaved and exported.
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09:43 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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Most Americans know that the cotton gin invention exploded slavery in America. Eli Whitney turned the cleaning of cotton from a lengthy process producing much waste to an overnight streamlined process that turned America into an economic juggernaut.
But many people don't know...
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But many people don't know...
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09:49 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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That Eli Whitney's cotton gin caused another problem it is believed was solved by a Black enslaved person. Cotton gins processed cotton so quickly, it required a faster way to grow cotton.
Enter the seed drill known as mechanical hoe. Black slaves learned quickly how to use this implement.
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Enter the seed drill known as mechanical hoe. Black slaves learned quickly how to use this implement.
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09:55 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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Another fact historians pt to about the intelligence of Black slaves is the mathematical ability they needed in order to ACCURATELY CALCULATE their total cotton harvested on a daily basis.
Cotton was a crop king in high demand. Overseers req'd slaves to know that they met their daily quota.
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Cotton was a crop king in high demand. Overseers req'd slaves to know that they met their daily quota.
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10:01 AM - Jul 22, 2023
(Edited)
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As America shifted from its post-Revolutionary War "we gotta pay our debts" status to "everyone White is becoming rich" status, Black enslaved people began garnering non-labor skills. Enslaved people bought their freedom and became lawyers, ministers, engineers, business owners, etc.
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10:08 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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When Florida says, "Blacks learned skills that allowed them to personally benefit", I think whatever nut wrote this is pointing to this period of America's enslavement of Black person as the one true positive outcome from the 150 years of terror.
However, this ignores everything that came before.
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However, this ignores everything that came before.
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10:12 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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My math was wrong in that last tweet, #Spoutible . It was 250 years of American enslavement terror.
My apologies.
My apologies.
10:15 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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I think I've driven home my pt and will stop here. If you didn't know much of what I shared, don't feel bad. Most Americans only know slivers of this rich and unfiltered history. It's time to learn and share.
Florida is on a dangerous educational path, #Spoutible friends. And now you know why.
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Florida is on a dangerous educational path, #Spoutible friends. And now you know why.
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10:19 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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To everyone on #Spoutible who read my CRT(not really) thread: Thank you for the kind words!
Here's bonus material for you,
The US patent office opened in 1790. It was flooded with patent submissions by...Black slaves.
The patent office had to ask the Congress what it should do in response. LOL!
Here's bonus material for you,
The US patent office opened in 1790. It was flooded with patent submissions by...Black slaves.
The patent office had to ask the Congress what it should do in response. LOL!
10:46 AM - Jul 22, 2023
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Super bonus material:
If you tour Mount Vernon (Washington's home), ask "who kept the bookkeeping records all the years George was away at war and as President?"
Don't be surprised by the answer cause here's the spoiler...
George and Martha's "bookkeeper" was one of their Black slaves.
/end
If you tour Mount Vernon (Washington's home), ask "who kept the bookkeeping records all the years George was away at war and as President?"
Don't be surprised by the answer cause here's the spoiler...
George and Martha's "bookkeeper" was one of their Black slaves.
/end
10:49 AM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I hope people read this thread and even bookmark it.
07:56 PM - Jul 29, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Speak Facts! African Americans/ Black people have always learned two sets of history! The real history of our ancestors past, present, and future works. Then the BS American and World History taught in public and private schools, which intentionally erases our great contributions in civilizations
04:22 AM - Jul 25, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I am - unfortunately, in many ways - a product of the US public education system as it was in the 1970s and early 1980s. All of this information is completely new to me because it was never taught then, and still isn't today. Thank you, sincerely, for the education. I have a lot of studying to do.
11:23 PM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Cynthia, thank you so much for sharing this extremely important wealth of knowledge! The unfiltered truth of Black History needs to be read, absorbed, and shared wide and far! The full story of Black folk’s indispensable contribution to the continual making of America is vitally important! ⚖️
10:32 PM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
What a great thread. Colonizers had to demonize & low-rate blacks from the very beginning to cover up their own inadequacies, ignorance, & make themselves APPEAR superior. Still at it today! Millions of people know the truth Bubba! You are and will always be the #1 FRAUD of all time. Hands down.
03:59 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Ness Allen.
Yes. America is a country that was built by a melting pot of people from around the world, however it's history has been whitewashed to present a country built only by the talents of Whites. Some people in places of power don't want 340M Americans to admit this fact.
06:32 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation.
Thank you for reading! I'm sure Native American history shows the exact same thing: A group of highly talented and skilled people who didn't need White Americans to teach them what they already knew.
06:35 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
@BLACKSTEMUSA Thank you for this spout thread. Illuminating and educational. Please continue sharing when you feel the urge.
09:16 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Claudia Citro.
Thanks, Claudia. I appreciate your kind words and will share more info as I read and learn about it ❤️
06:37 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I tried to post a response to your incredibly relevant thread but it came out as direct spout! Here’s a pic of what was supposed to be my response:
06:58 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to SenorPena.
Spoutible began acting a little weird yesterday after my spout received a hugh number of responses. I couldn't respond to this message until now. I don't know what happened.
06:39 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
This was a perfect primer for my trip to the International African American Museum... A+
05:32 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Roland Pugh.
Thank you, Roland. Please let me know about your museum trip. I love to visit museums when I go traveling. They add so much to our understanding of the people who came before us.. Enjoy!
06:42 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for the information and links. I will look for your book.
01:28 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Alfredo Dominguez.
I self- published my book. It was my 1st time doing so and you can tell I made some mistakes in its editing. 🥴 But the people who've read it say that they've learned that they have a more complete picture about Black American contributions to American tech development than in other books.
06:46 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for this important thread, Ms. Cynthia! Where can we find your book?
01:05 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to ecsbrooklyn.
My book is on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It is titled, "Black STEM USA: America's Next Civil Rights Movement." It wasn't a big seller, but I fulfilled a lifelong dream to write and publish my own book. And I did it. 😃
06:48 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you kindly for taking the time to make this thread Cynthia. Learned some things. Hoping several in our community take the time!
12:52 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Bev Turner.
Lots of people read my thread. I am happy that it's helped people understand why DeSantis and Florida are becoming a serious problem for America. DeSantis is, in a sense, worse than Trump. Trump didn't try to wipe away Black America.
06:51 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Great thread. Would be a good thing for this info to be put in a pamphlet, for parents to go over with their kids at the start of any school term where they will be told that slavery was in any way good for the enslaved. Might be interesting for them to mention some of these facts during class.
12:35 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Mike Vangelos.
Mike, there were so many difficult and illuminating aspects about Black enslavement that one pamphlet couldn't do it serious justice. I also believe that we, Americans, must admit that this is a tough subject to discuss psychologically. It makes people's hearts hurt. We need a way to heal the pain.
06:56 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Very interesting! I didn't know all the details that you have provided. As a student of sociology, I have learned some. To me, it is really just common sense to know that other civilizations existed because they had intelligence and skills. Not everything came out of white America. F DeSantis!
12:31 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Kathleen Rupnow.
Katherine, thank you for that feedback. I learned a lot of things I didn't about my own Black ancestral community until I did the research for my book. Black History has been splintered into so many pieces it's hard to connect it all back together. But I've proven to myself that it can be done. 🔥
07:00 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you, I learned so much today about the skills that enslaved people brought to the table.
12:26 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Okay, now THIS is the kind of story I know I can get nowhere else. Thank you for sharing all this! It's easy for me to see parallels between this and the development of capitalism from the late 19th Century onward.
12:16 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Ground Control.
Yes, I agree with you. There are direct connections between the way capitalism in this country formed based upon the contributions of the enslaved. I've been told that the same can be done with the Native American and Mexucan history of the US west and southwest. That info is the CRT kept hidden.
07:05 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for sharing this🙂
The media is so quick to show Blacks in districts with poverty and crime but fail to mention they are a direct result from years of red lining those neighborhoods.
The media is so quick to show Blacks in districts with poverty and crime but fail to mention they are a direct result from years of red lining those neighborhoods.
12:07 PM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Victoria H.
The history of redlining illuminates how America's modern society limited the talents & skills of Black Americans through geography and real estate. That story is a whole other can of worms. 🥴
07:08 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
🙏🏻thank you for putting all this together and reminding us how the specialized skills that make a system of labor work are both the most exploited and the most invisible.
11:24 AM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to (laura) elsen.
Laura, the history of American labor is one of people being abused for the almighty dollar. In doing research for my book, I learned of the coal miners, sweat shops, shipyards, etc. that abused each wave of immigrants into this country. The enslaved got the worst of it and never recovered.
07:11 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for this thread. Whites would have Blacks believing we brought nothing with us in terms of skills when the writings of the slave owning class show their search for skilled labor in the earliest days of chattel slavery…
10:40 AM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Recently watched Stephen Satterfield’s High on the Hog series and highly recommend especially for filling in much of the history re agriculture and cooking. Second season ordered! I learned a lot, and I’m history major. Still learning what they left out of the books. 😤🥺
09:33 AM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Susan Simon.
Susan, I loved that series!!! I learned a lot about Black Americans' contributions to the culinary field and how that history has also been whitewashed. Americans are taught so little about our country's Black heritage. It robs all of us, no matter our race. 🙏🏾
07:15 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
White Christofascist Americans should hang their heads in shame. They built a country on genocide and enslavement. Their white privilege was earned on the backs of the downtrodden and enslaved. And we have the unmitigated nerve to refer to America as "the greatest nation on earth." What BS.
09:36 AM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Hercule Poirot.
The ONLY way to get over on a fascist is by way of insurmountable amounts of TRUE EDUCATION & ACCURATE HISTORY TO THE MASSES.
If I learned NOTHING, I learned through #Newsies & ChristianBales.. the TRUE POWER OF THE PRESS!!
If I learned NOTHING, I learned through #Newsies & ChristianBales.. the TRUE POWER OF THE PRESS!!
10:41 AM - Jul 22, 2023
In response to Hercule Poirot.
Hercule if you get the chance and haven't done so before m, please read the history of the Crusades and the Knights Templar. There are connections between what today's evangelical White Christians are doing and the Crusades history. Also the Spanish Inquisition.
History doesn't repeat, it rhymes
History doesn't repeat, it rhymes
07:20 AM - Jul 23, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for this. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more than I was ever taught in school.
08:52 AM - Jul 22, 2023
