The Gist of Freedom Preserving American History through Black Literature . . .

Join The Gist of Freedom as we continue Reading William Still's book, The Underground Railroad published in 1871! The  bleeding heart of the husband resolved to escape at all hazards, taking with him a daguerreotype likeness of his wife which he happened to have on hand, and a lock of hair from her head, and from each of the children, as mementoes of his unbounded (though sundered) affection for them. After crossing the river, his wet clothing freezing to him, he rode all night, a distance of about forty miles. In the morning he left his faithful horse tied to a fence, quite broken down. He then commenced his dreary journey on foot—cold and hungry—in a strange place, where it was quite unsafe to make known his condition and wants. Thus for a day or two, without food or shelter, he traveled until his feet were literally worn out, and in this condition he arrived at Harrisburg, where he found friends. Passing over many of the interesting incidents on the road, suffice it to say, he arrived safely in this city, on New Year's night, 1857, about two hours before day break (the telegraph having announced his coming from Harrisburg), having been a week on the way. The night he arrived was very cold; besides, the Underground train, that morning, was about three hours behind time; in waiting for it, entirely out in the cold, a member of the Vigilance Committee thought he was frosted. But when he

In setting out for freedom, Wesley was the leader of this party. After two nights of fatiguing travel at a distance of about sixty miles from home, the young aspirants for liberty were betrayed, and in an attempt made to capture them a most bloody conflict ensued. Both fugitives and pursuers were the recipients of severe wounds from gun shots, and other weapons used in teh contest. Wesley bravely used his firearms until almost fatally wounded by one of the pursuers, who with a heavily loaded gun discharged the contents with deadly aim in his left arm, which raked the flesh from the bone for a space of about six inches in length. One of Wesley's companions also fought heroically and only yielded when badly wounded and quite overpowered. The two youngeir (brothers of C. Matterson) it seemed made no resistance. In order to recall the adventures of this struggle, and the success of Wesley Harris, it is only necessary to copy the report as then penned from the lips of this young hero, while on the Underground Rail Road, even then in a very critical state. Most fearful indeed was his condition when he was brought to the Vigilance Committee in this City.    

September 15th, 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Four Little Girl's Church bombing, 16th Street Baptist Church!   Join The Gist of Freedom WWW.BlackHistoryUniversity.com as we welcome Erich McMillan-McCall, Founder Project1VOICE, INC.    Erich will discuss the Four Little Girls 1VOICE/1PLAY/1Day Project...   Directed by Phylicia Rashad, and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C..****Tickets will be distributed  at 5 p.m. on September 15 for the 6 p.m. performance.  http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=XNFOU The Deadly Church Bombing Was the Turning Point in The Civil Rights Movement!  

The Gist of Freedom is pleased to present you an excerpt of Martin Luther King's Speech at Bennett College, "Room InThe Inn" also known as the "Finance Your Freedom".  Other Speeches: Vernon Johns, Ida B Wells and Michelle Alexander.  Read By James Earl Jones, and Rubye Dee  We don't have time to spend a lot of money on whiskey and big parties and a lot of stuff, and we aren't giving money to the basic causes that confront us now.      

Russell Simmons' Apology and Redemption after uploading a "Harriet Tubman Sex Tape".. Produce a film on the life and times of Harriet Tubman with her Descendants? “The last few days I have been speaking to some of the direct descendants of Harriet Tubman,”  -Simmons tweeted. “ They have not only accepted my apology but we agree that we should begin immediately to develop the story of Harriet Tubman.”  -------------- Harriet Tubman's Niece's Letter (Judith G. Bryant)  "Your disgusting portrayal of one of America's most beloved heroines is simply inexplicable.Unforgivable. And you thought this was funny? No excuses possible. Your insolent apologies are embarrassing.  For all your millions, you are worth zero to me.  Please, don't use any of them in connection with her name ever again." -------------- Join The Gist of Freedom, on WWW.BuriedBlackHistory.com as we continue this discussion with Dr. Kaye Whitehead, Loyola University Maryland  

Join The Gist Of Freedom as we discuss The Liberty Laws and The Christiana deadly Rescue with Dwight Thompson   ...The Slaver demanded Parker to turn over his “property” meaning the two African Men he was hunting. Parker, a successful escapee himself, told him he had no “property” and commanded the slaver leave his door. Parker and the two courageous black men who successfully escaped from the slaver's plantation refused to come down from their stronghold on the second floor, and instead summoned help from the neighborhood by sounding a horn. -------------------- Watching Now ... Actress Zoey Deschanel connected to The Underground Railroad on TLC Who Do You Think You Are?.....   The William Parker Rescue mission, known as the Christiana Rescue Mission/Riot.   In September 1851, Maryland planter Edward Gorsuch was killed by a group of African-Americans after he tried to take possession of three slaves who had previously escaped from his plantation.   http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are/videos/zooey-deschanel-.htm ----------------------------  &amp

The Gist of Freedom is pleased to introduce to you Kathleen Manning and BIll Paul owners and operators of Prints Old And Rare! 1.800.879.2677. https://printsoldandrare.comhttps://printsoldandrare.com

 Join The Gist of Freedom as we discuss  Russell Simmons' Harriet Tubman's Sex Tape with Attorney and Hip Hop Historian Joseph Haynes Davis! This piece was released on Russell Simmons' Youtube channel and stirred up some controversy. Russell has since released an apology for the video.    

Prof. Julian Chambliss will chronicle the Civil Rights Mivement in Florida. Good Civil Rights News Today on The De-Criminilization of our Sons!  Federal prosecutors will no longer seek long, “mandatory minimum” sentences for many low-level Non-Violent Drug Offenders! ------ A federal judge ruled on Monday that the stop-and-frisk tactics of the New York Police Department violated the constitutional rights of minorities in the city, repudiating a major element in the Bloomberg administration’s crime-fighting legacy.

 It being understood that "Joe" was to act as coachman in passing out of Washington. Everything having been duly arranged, the doctor's horse and carriage stood waiting before the White House. The Dr.,  added, that he was "liable to vertigo,"  and for this reason he must have his boy "Joe" sleep in the room with him. The Dr. was soon in bed, sleeping soundly, and "Joe," in his new coat and pants, wrapped up in the bed quilt, in a corner of the room quite comfortably.  In the morning he called for "Joe", with the fleetness of a young deer, he jumped into the carriage, took the reins and whip, whilst the doctor and William Penn were cordially shaking hands and bidding adieu. This done, the order was given to Joe, "drive on." Joe bravely obeyed. The faithful horse trotted off willingly, and the doctor sat in his carriage as composed as though he had succeeded in procuring an honorable and lucrative office from the White House. ---------------------------- Join The Gist of Freedom with historian Stephen Clark Harvey as we continue the reading of William Still's Book The Underground Railroad, The escape of one of The Underground Railroad's youngest passengers, fifteen year old Maria Ann Weems!   Click to listen WWW.BlackHistor

Join The Gist of Freedom as we welcome Researcher, Attorney John Wesley Walker. Charlie Wiggins, one of the first world class Race Car Drivers, the envy of NASCAR. Mr. Wiggins helped form The National Racing League for African American Race Car Drivers.

Oprah's  Speech at Cory Booker's Fundraiser 8.1.13- Liberty House Restaurant, Jersey City NJ

The Gist of Freedom, www.blackhistoryUniversity.com is pleased to present to you historian Terry Buckalew: Mother Bethel AME the oldest African American Church Est. 1786, Recently discovered it's historic Cemetery is buried Underneath the swing sets of an urban playground in Philadelphia.Mother Bethel, via it's mutual Aid Society, The African Free Society, established several institutions in the 1700's. Unfortunately, the white establishment was threatened and sued the Church. After a 20 year court battle, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled in Bethel's favor. The Church remained self governed. There lies the forgotten remains of an estimated 3,000 African-Americans.Headstone Reads.."Amelia Brown, 181

The Gist of Freedom, www.blackhistoryUNIVERSITY.com, welcomes Storyteller Jamie Myrick! Jamie will portray America's First self-made Millionaire!   Click to listen to an interview with A'lelia Bundles, Madam Cj Walker's great grand-daughter.    

"I will stand my ground"    Abolitionist ~ David Walker's Appeal   "I will stand my ground. Somebody must die in this cause. I may be doomed to the stake and the fire, or to the scaffold tree, but it is not in me to falter if I can promote the work of emancipation."   --------- David Walker    In September of 1829 he published his Appeal. To reach his primary audience -- the enslaved men and women of the South -- Walker relied on sailors and ship's officers sympathetic to the cause who could transfer the pamphlet to southern ports.    He sewed copies of his pamphlet into the lining of sailors' clothing. Once the pamphlets reached the South, they could be distributed throughout the region.    The Appeal made a great impression to the slaves the words were inspiring and instilled a sense of pride and hope.    Horrified whites, initiated laws that forbade blacks to learn to read and banned the distribution of antislavery literature.    They offered a $3,000 reward for Walker's head, and $10,000 to anyone who could bring him to the South alive.    Friends concerned about his safety implored him to flee to Canada......   Walker responded that he would stand his ground. "Somebody must die in this cause,"     A devout Christian, he believed that abolition was a "glorious and heavenly cause."   http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2930.html