historic things

Persephone Abducted She cried out for Mama, who did not hear. She left with a wild eye thrown back, she left with curses, rage that withered her features to a hag’s. No one can tell a mother how to act: there are no laws when laws are broken, no names to call upon. Some say… Read more

I was regarded as fair-looking for one of my race, and for four years a white man – I spare the world his name – had base designs upon me. I do not care to dwell upon this subject, for it is one that is fraught with pain. Suffice it to say, that he persecuted… Read more

Harriet Jacobs was the first woman to write a slave narrative, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, in 1861.  Read more

The Fortens were one of the most prominent black families in Philadelphia. They founded and financed abolitionist organizations, wrote against slavery, operated a school for African-American children, entertained the leading abolitionists of the day and harbored fugitive slaves. Read more