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DEL.ICIO.USHistory boxed away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Aunt Ruby kept the box stashed away.
Everybody knew what was in it. Photos, military records and keepsakes. History.
Several years ago, someone riffling through the container came across information about Peter Boggs. He’s the great-great-great grandfather of Robert Sample of Lilburn. It was a notarized deposition given by Grace, Boggs’ wife, in 1909. She was applying for his military pension.
The hand-written affidavit gave details of Boggs’ life and military career. It outlined how he’d served with Company C, 2nd Regiment, of the 14th U.S. Colored Cavalry. How his horse was shot out from under him in battle, then fell on top of him. Boggs’ right knee, right shoulder and hip were severely wounded.
“He was pretty messed up,” muses Sample, 62. We’re sitting at the kitchen table of his Lilburn home. It’s pouring rain as we pore over a copy of the deposition. We come to a section that Sample had told me about on the phone.
It’s one sentence. Twelve words:
“[Boggs] belonged to John Boggs and Leah Boggs in Accomac County, Va.,” it states. Sample, a former paratrooper and Philly native, knew - or assumed - he had ancestors who had been slaves. To see evidence of that enslavement, in print, gave it context. Made it real.
“Now I have proof,” Sample says.
It’s that time of the year. Black History Month. Some folk “celebrate” it year-round. Sample does. He’s a military black history buff who thinks stories should be told and celebrated. Sometimes, he says, the emphasis can be skin color, but only in unique and distinct circumstances. Historic “firsts,” perhaps.
It was Sample, for example, who introduced me to the Triple Nickles. It stands for the 555th Parachute Infantry Division. A group of black men became the nation’s first black paratroopers. I wrote about them in November.
Sample thought their story should be shared with everyone. He feels the same way about his great-great-great grandfather.
“I have xeroxed copies of the deposition and given it to all my kids,” he tells me. “They’ve started to look into things. When you start, it tends to snowball and it keeps growing, getting bigger and bigger. A lot of us have lost history. A lot of us just don’t know.”
The answers, though, could be boxed up in the attic, collecting dust.
Pull them down.
Information could be in those long-forgotten family Bibles, scrapbooks and photo albums.
Take a look.
“You never know what you’re going to find,” says Sample, before I leave his home and head out into the rainy night.
“You never know who you may be related to.”
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By Michael H. Smith
February 2, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
From a black history week to a black history month, still about 229 years 11 months shy of a complete American history.
That is the big deal.
By Airborne
February 2, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
dismo mark,what has your family contributed to this country,besides being ignorant,racist,arrogant,and just plain dumb.For someone to be educated,you sure don’t show it.How much do you know about your history,if it’s known.Dig in your closet,you might be surprised to see that some of your ancestors might be afro-american.Since you’re so smart you’ll see that people during that time was no different than hitler,and i truly believe that you’re jealous of afro-american males,because of your weakness in finding a friend.You’re just a poor soul looking for all the wrong things to say about people.God has an answer for you whether you believe in him or not.When things start happening thats not in your favor,maybe you’ll wake up and see that we are all human,and put here to love one another,but in your case your’re on an island by yourself,i wonder why?
By Michael H. Smith
February 2, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
If you read carefully Airbrone the word “about” preceded that time-span quoted. It was put there for a very good reason, because absolute numerical accuracy (if such could ever be truly obtained) was not the intent, but the message was.
By Michael H. Smith
February 2, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Oh, by the way Airbrone, Afro- Americans?
Or, Africans never allowed into America?
Suggested reading my friend: Press McCallum’s OP Ed article appearing in Thursday’s AJC.
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/printedition/2008/01/31/dashed0131.html
By Bruce Wicox
February 3, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
I think Black history month should be celebrated every year to remind everyone how much Blacks gave to and for this country, kept hidden for so many years. Many forget it has been only since 1965 that Blacks have been allowed to become first class Americans.
For those who say Dr. Kings dream has finally come true, we are all one, there is no discrimination in this fine land of ours is truely blind. That is what they may feel in their heart, but it is just not reality.
Mr. Smith, please don’t use an opinion piece to back up your opinion even if it does have a picture by it. I am sure you know what they say about opinions.
By Michael H. Smith
February 3, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
Yes I do know what they say about opinion Mr. Wilcox and I think you know what you can do with yours.
By LT5000
February 3, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Airborne cheapens himself by spreading grade school propoganda.
The air conditioner was invented by Willis Carrier, not some black woman.
The inventor of the refrigerator was Carl Von Linde.
I believe an African American named Latimer did develop the carbon filament, he was a member of Edisons team.
There is no doubt that past generations contributed of blacks greatly to American Society, but there is no need to claim inventions someone else developed as being “African American”.
However, you have to wonder what future generation of blacks will contribute to society.
The Thug Culture and babies without fathers is ruining the black community. Please listen to Bill Cosby. He’s got it right.
LT5000
By LT5000
February 3, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Don’t lump me in with your racist ramblings. I have plenty of black friends. Though most of them are immigrants from Africa.
They moved to America for a better life. But just because they are black doesn’t mean they identify with American blacks.
All they see is a generation that has squandered a grand opportunity. Here we have free public education, free scholarships for minorities and business loans that are cheap. No reason to be uneducated and turning to a life of crime. All races included.
LT5000
By Mark
February 3, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
One day you “diversified” fools will understand.
And fred. I’m not ignorant enough to believe in entities that don’t exist.
airborne You’re better than fishing. I toss you a line and you take it hook, line, and sinker every time.
You all know I’m right. You just refuse to take off the blinders. You kids will wake up one day.
By Michael H. Smith
February 3, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Yeah, only peanut butter and drive-bys.
One of my favorite American black inventors, Dr. Percy Julian.
http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/percyjulian.html
By Lee
February 3, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Oh, and nice column Rick, personally I enjoyed it but am obviously stupid as I did not see any racial overtones in it.
Perhaps you overlooked this little bit:
It’s that time of the year. Black History Month. Some folk “celebrate” it year-round. Sample does. He’s a military black history buff…
Seems to me that Rick opened up this racial rant.
Black inventions. That’s the best most schools can come up with. And even most of that is a damn lie.
Black History Month is more like Black Propaganda Month, IMHO.
By Sandy_G
February 3, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
When I was growing up in the 1960’s, I do not recall ever seeing a black person in a history book in my school except for a brief mention of George Washington Carver and perhaps Pocahontas. No historic contributions by anyone of color were noted or taught in schools. It was not until the establishment of black history month that I and millions of other people began to learn of the important and amazing contributions of blacks and other Americans of color throughout our history. For me, I gained a whole new respect for a people who, despite being severely limited by their lack of civil rights and being discrimated against at every level of society, became doctors, statesmen, scientists, Ph.D.’s and politicians.
Yes, whites benefit from black history month, but the demographic group that needs it most of all are all of the young african-americans growing up today. They need to be reminded that their cultural heritage in this country is one that is populated of well-educated, well-respected and well-thought-of men and women who nobly perservered in spite of the worst of life circumstances. The African-american history is filled with injustice, pain and deprivation, but it is also filled with dignity, strength of character and triumph over adversity. It is more important now than ever to relay a sense of pride to this generation, both white and black about our ancestor’s achievements and how they lived their lives.
By Mark
February 4, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Lee
Good link added to your post. My defense rests, folks.
By itsme
February 4, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
EVERYONE, regardless of race, needs to research family history. We all contribute to the American story. Emphasis on one group or another fails to tell that story.
By Charles
February 4, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
The celebration and observance of Black history is reasonable only if Negroes are building power, the ability to service the basic needs of black people, in America. In my mind, black history is the kinetic energy needed for young black boys and girls to reach real unimaginable mental and spiritual heights; greater heights and achievements than their ancestors in the ancient civilized black world…
Let me make myself perfectly clear. If African Americans believe in integration as a philosophy of life, it’s hypocritical for them to mention black history. The two terms, integration and black history are mutually exclusive. The one cancels out the other…
By the way, I am an African American. There is a rumor spreading that many Americans believe in the fantasy of Barack Obama “bringing us all together” lol. Allow me to set the record straight my friends. There are many Negroes in these United States that I wouldn’t set down with at the table of brotherhood. Some I wouldn’t offer a piece of bread i.e. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Barack Obama, and integrationist Negro minions who believe in the immature political and social positions they represent. Some of these sell-outs have the audacity to lend their support to black history, and on the other hand, their political and social policies are literally killing the average African American in the streets.
By Katie
February 4, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
I’m just wondering. If there is a black history month, why aren’t there an Asian, Hispanic and Caucasion history month? Or would that be racist?
By Katie
February 4, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
I’m just wondering. If there is a black history month, why aren’t there an Asian, Hispanic and Caucasion history month? Or would that be racist?
By Katie
February 4, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
I’m just wondering. If there is a black history month, why aren’t there an Asian, Hispanic and Caucasion history month? Or would that be racist?
By Bruce Wicox
February 4, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Could it be they were forced here as slaves and were never given the same rights as other Americans until the Civil Rights and Voting Acts of the mid-sixties? That all the gifts of their culture, the brillance of so many Black scholars, inventors and scientists were kept hidden, never reconized in history books.
Why some might say it would seem only some backward Whites are afraid that Blacks are just as smart, after reading a few of these comments, smarter than they. I guess they must feel, what’s word, oh yeah, threaten by the mention of Black achievements.
By Mark
February 4, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Katie
Having a cacuasion month would bring out the ilk like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. See, those are the real racists….
By Sandy_G
February 4, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Mark, Hmmmmmm, methinks thou doth protest too much about Black History month. Afraid that your family tree might contain some surprises?!!!
By Mark
February 4, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Sandy_G
We found a nog in our family tree, but we cut the rope.
By LT5000
February 4, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Ah, Bruce dazzles us again with another ignorant post.
His supposition is that if you dare question a minority or minority achievement, you are racist.
Exactly the thing this country needs to get away from.
LT5000
By Airborne
February 4, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
mark you did’nt throw me a line,and i took the bait,you see you’re the sucker who fell for the game and if you did cut the rope because a “nog ” was in your family,it’s only because i’ve been telling you that all along.you may have cut the rope,but we’re still here.
By Airborne
February 4, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
LT500,it’s not about grade school propoganda,it’s about telling the truth to the younger generation of blacks.America hides the truth because of their fear of not being superior,you have a history and so do we,read our history,maybe you’ll understand the word “history”.If you read our history you’ll find that the names i mentioned did invent what you enjoy as a luxury.Read how eli whitney supposedly invented the cotton gin,you’ll find that a slave actually did it,but as always slavemasters took the credit.We have given so much to this country and will never receive credit.Your history has caused conflicts since the birth of this nation,what conflicts have we caused?Yes some of us are educated,and you have the same problems we have,it just does’nt get the same amount of exposure.That’s propoganda.
By Airborne
February 4, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
LT500,it’s not about grade school propoganda,it’s about telling the truth to the younger generation of blacks.America hides the truth because of their fear of not being superior,you have a history and so do we,read our history,maybe you’ll understand the word “history”.If you read our history you’ll find that the names i mentioned did invent what you enjoy as a luxury.Read how eli whitney supposedly invented the cotton gin,you’ll find that a slave actually did it,but as always slavemasters took the credit.We have given so much to this country and will never receive credit.Your history has caused conflicts since the birth of this nation,what conflicts have we caused?Yes some of us are educated,and you have the same problems we have,it just does’nt get the same amount of exposure.Thats’ propoganda.
By LT5000
February 5, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Airborne,
How long before you start ranting about infertility drugs placed in Popeye’s fried chicken and the CIA inventing crack and selling it in the ghettos.
Here’s some news for you. Whitey doesn’t have a secret organization to keep blacks down. Whitey doesn’t care what you do as long as it isn’t illegal.
Stop listening to the Poverty Pimps Rev Al and Jesse “Hymie-Town” Jackson. These people have lied to you for years.
It’s time for the black community to join society. Look at the Asians, they do it quite well. And once they were know as Coolies, but I don’t hear them complaining. Know why? Because they realize that an education and strong family structure are the keys to success in America.
LT5000
By LT5000
February 5, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Airborne,
How long before you start ranting about infertility drugs placed in Popeye’s fried chicken and the CIA inventing crack and selling it in the ghettos.
Here’s some news for you. Whitey doesn’t have a secret organization to keep blacks down. Whitey doesn’t care what you do as long as it isn’t illegal.
Stop listening to the Poverty Pimps Rev Al and Jesse “Hymie-Town” Jackson. These people have lied to you for years.
It’s time for the black community to join society. Look at the Asians, they do it quite well. And once they were know as Coolies, but I don’t hear them complaining. Know why? Because they realize that an education and strong family structure are the keys to success in America.
LT5000
By asha
February 5, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
I THINK BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BECAUSE BLACK PERSONS SHOULD REMEMBER WHAT THEY ANCESTORS WENT THROUGHT
By asha
February 5, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
I THINK BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BECAUSE BLACK PERSONS SHOULD REMEMBER WHAT THEY ANCESTORS WENT THROUGHT
By asha
February 5, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
I THINK BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BECAUSE BLACK PERSONS SHOULD REMEMBER WHAT THEY ANCESTORS WENT THROUGHT