AfriGeneas Writers Forum
Re: How To Write About Hot Issues
In Response To: How To Write About Hot Issues ()
Thanks for submitting the link to Joanna's article about writing about controversial issues. African American history is often a controversial subject. There are doubters on all sides (Black, White, Hispanic, etc. who will challenge every aspect of African American culture and history. This can be a positive thing.
Subjects such as slaves were happy on the plantation; Africans in the Americas contributed to the shaping of the New World; Blacks rushed to serve as Soldiers in the confederate army; So did free men of color (although State laws...just prior to the Civil War... forced free people of color to re-enslave them by assigning a white master/guardian); slavery only existed in the South; the first Africans in the Americas arrived in the 16th century; some of the earliest Spanish vaqueros were Africans who were valued for their herding skills; Harriet Tubman led troops into battle during the Civil War; victims of 9/11 included three African American children on Flight 77 etc.
All of the above except for one, can be found in the pages of AfriGeneas.
In her check list Joanna stresses that writers should "Be clear on your sources - so other people can form their own opinions." No problem here at AfriGeneas, since its posters offer invaluable primary resources for documenting African American history.
Thanks again Dera, for directing us to another thought provoking resource.