





This Black man David Walker begins our "Best & Brightest" series. General Nikki X likes to call this one...."Eminent Danger." DAVID WALKER 1796-1830 David Walker's objective was nothing short of revolutionary. He would arouse slaves of the South into rebelling against their masters. His tool would be his own pamphlet, David Walker's Appeal. . ., a document that has been described as "for a brief and terrifying moment. . .,the most notorious document in America." The son of a slave father and a free black mother, David Walker was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, perhaps in 1796 or 1797. In accordance with existing laws, since his mother was a free black, David Walker was also free. This freedom, however, did not shield him from witnessing firsthand the degradations and injustices of slavery. He witnessed much misery in his youth, including one disturbing episode of a son who was forced to whip his mother until she died. Walker travelled throughout the country, eventually settling in Boston. But even in that free northern city, with its prevalent discrimination, life was less than ideal for its black residents. Still, Walker apparently fared well, setting up a used clothing store during the 1820s. In Boston, Walker began to associate with prominent black activists. He joined institutions that denounced slavery in the South and discrimination in the North. He became involved in the nation's first African American newspaper, the Freedom's Journal out of New York City, to which he frequently contributed. By the end of 1828. he had become Boston's leading spokesman against slavery. 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. Walker even employed his used clothing business which, being located close to the waterfront, served sailors who bought clothing for upcoming voyages. He sewed copies of his pamphlet into the lining of sailors' clothing. Once the pamphlet reached the South, they could be distributed throughout the region. Walker also sought the aid of various contacts in the South who were also sympathetic to the cause. The Appeal made a great impression in the South, with both slaves and slaveholders. To the slaves the words were inspiring and instilled a sense of pride and hope. Horrified whites, on the other hand, 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," he added. "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." A devout Christian, he believed that abolition was a " glorious and heavenly cause." David Walker published a third edition of his Appeal in June 1830. Two months later he was found dead in his home. Although there was no evidence supporting the allegation, many believed that he had been poisoned. Later scholarship suggest he died of tuberculosis, the same disease that killed his daughter. Well folks what do you think of that? Was our hero David Walker murdered -Or - Did he indeed die of tuberculosis? The Black Fist has always had a strong belief for years that David Walker was indeed murdered for his Appeal and the outspoken boldness within his writings that the black man should rise up on his white oppressors and fight to be free. Free from the chains of slavery. You can read Walkers Appeal today. It is sold in most black owned and operated book stores or you can buy it online. Give us your comments and thoughts about the life, works, writings and death of Bro. David Walker. He will always be remembered by The Black Fist as one of our "Best & Brightest", Everyday Black History Heroes! STAY TUNED FOR OUR SECOND INSTALLMENT COMIN' BLACK ATCHA SOON. RIGHT HERE ON THE "ONLY OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BLACK FIST", THE BLACK FIST BLOG! BLACK FIST, BLACK POWER, BLACK NATION!!!
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[ATTENTION: THIS 2006 RE-POST FROM "THE BLACK FIST: BEST & BRIGHTEST EVERYDAY BLACK HISTORY SERIES." REMEMBERS "BLACK RESISTANT DAY" ALWAYS CELEBRATED BY THE BLACK FIST ORGANIZATION IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST. WE CELEBRATE THE HEROIC LIVES OF EXTRAORDINARY BLACK MEN SUCH AS NAT TURNER, DAVID WALKER AND THE BROTHER YOU WILL READ ABOUT TODAY, BRO. GABRIEL PROSSER. AGAIN JOURNEY BACK IN TIME WITH US TO STUDY GABRIEL PROSSER'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. REMEMBER. CELEBRATE. ENJOY!] In this third installment of "The Black Fist: Best & Brightest Everyday Black History Series", We're going to read about the resistance and non-compromising conviction of Bro. Gabriel Prosser. Gabriel Prosser was born a slave and fought against his chains all the way out. And not only did he fight against his chains to be free, he also fought to get his brethren and sisters freed as well. This story has many twist and turns, so much of what I've read in Bro. Gabriel's life could be applied to what's going on in the black community today. As you read this fascinating story of plots, plans, rebellion and snitches, you will see exactly what I mean. Let's take a read into the life and times of our beloved brother, the black man called Gabriel Prosser. General Nikki X will call this edition in our series-- the same name The Black Fist gave to one of our many annual celebrations down on Cincinnati Fountain Square downtown in the heart of the city......"Black Resistance Day!" GABRIEL PROSSER c. 1775-1800 Gabriel Prosser (ca. 1775-1800) was the African American leader of an unsuccessful revolt in Richmond Virginia, during the summer of 1800. Gabriel Prosser, the slave of Thomas H. Prosser, was about 25 years old when he came to the attention of Virginia authorities late in August 1800. Little is known of his childhood or family background. He had two brothers and a wife, Nanny, all slaves of Prosser. Gabriel Prosser learned to read and was a serious student of the Bible, where he found inspiration in the accounts of Israel's delivery from slavery. Prosser possessed a shrewd judgment, and his master gave him much latitude. He was acknowledged as a leader by many slaves around Richmond. With the help of other slaves, especially Jack Bowler and George Smith, Prosser designed a scheme for a slave revolt. They planned to seize control of Richmond by slaying all the whites (except the Methodist, Quakers, and Frenchmen) and then to establish a kingdom of Virginia with Prosser as King. The recent, successful American Revolution and the revolutions in France and Haiti--with their rhetoric of freedom, equality, and brotherhood--supplied examples and inspiration for Prosser's rebellion. In the months preceding the attack Prosser skillfully recruited supporters and organized them in military units. Authorities never discovered how many slaves were involved, but there were undoubtedly several thousand, many armed with swords and pikes made from farm tools made by slave blacksmiths. The plan was to strike on the night of August 30, 1800. Men inside Richmond were to set fire to certain buildings to distract whites, Prosser's force from the county was to seize the armory and government buildings across town. With the firearms thus gained, the rebels would supposedly easily overcome the surprised whites. On the day of the attack the plot was disclosed by two slaves who did not want their masters slain; then Virginia governor James Monroe alerted the militia. That night, as the rebels began congregating outside Richmond, the worst rainstorm in memory flooded roads, washed out bridges, and prevented Prosser's army from assembling. Prosser decided to postpone the attack until the next day, but by then the city was too well defended. The rebels, including Prosser, dispersed. Some slaves, in order to save their own lives, testified against the ringleaders, about 35 of whom were executed. Prosser himself managed to escape by hiding aboard a riverboat on its way to Norfolk. In Norfolk, however, he was betrayed by other slaves, who claimed the large reward for his capture on September 25. Returned to Richmond, Prosser, like most of the other leaders, refused to confess to the plot or give evidence against other slaves. He was tried and found guilty on October 6, 1800, and executed the next day. There is no complete fulll-length biography of Gabriel Prosser. Well folks what did you think of that? General Nikki X has some thoughts and they go a lil something like this: "I'll Be damned!!!" This is the kinda thing that goes on today in 2006, same as is 1800. Snitching, Black folks loving their masters more than they love themselves and their brothers and sisters. What in the hell causes one to turn on someone who looks just like you for another and especially one that has your ass and the asses of your brethren enslaved??? I'll never understand it, but then again I fully understand it. It's called "self-hatred", "F-E-A-R" and thinking the white man is God almighty in the snowy flesh. Back in 1880, it could be reasonably understood the fear blacks had of whites, I mean, they were ACTUALLY in chains. But what the hell causes a black person to fear the white man and his woman today? There are many blacks running around today in 2006, who would rather slit their own throats and the throats of their black babies than to even imagine let alone see the white man fall down and skin his knee! Pitiful. Maybe you, the readers of this blog will have a few thoughts about this very important subject and also let us know what you think of the courage and boldness of our beloved Gabriel Prosser. That brother refused to "snitch", "cry", "moan" and "whine" like a sissy about "they [white folks] gonna get me". No! he stood up like a man and never snitched on his fellow slaves nor did he confess to shit! He took the unjust punishment dole out to him in the form of execution by the hands of his evil slave masters with dignity, respect and black self-love with the Creator on his side. Do you think if "talk radio" had been invented back then, Gabriel Prosser could've been heard crying like a bitch about his situation on every station he was allowed to call into? -OR- Do you think he would've just done what the hell he had to do, took his punishment like a bold fearless Black Militant and that would've been that? General Nikki X thinks Gabriel Prosser would've gone down like the bold Black Militant Soldier he went down as....."A Bold Fearless Non-Snitching Strong Black Militant Soldier!" Personal Side note Observation: It seems like the best & brightest, boldest, fearless Black Militant Soldiers were either born in the month of "August" or "Set it Off" in the month of August! Have you ever noticed that? STAY TUNED FOR OUR FOURTH INSTALLMENT COMIN' BLACK ATCHA SOON. RIGHT HERE ON THE "ONLY OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BLACK FIST", THE BLACK FIST BLOG! BLACK FIST, BLACK POWER, BLACK NATION!!! |



























