NYC African American History Tour, May 26, 2006 by HS students
From MemoryArchive
Who: Students, Law, Government, Community Service Magnet High School, Cambria Heights Queens What: NYC African American History Tour When: May 26, 2006 Where: Lower manhattan
Aneiki - On May 26, 2006, some of my fellow upperclassmen of Law, Government, and Community Service High School and I partook in a slavery trail in lower Manhattan. On this trail my fellow classmates and I saw former sites of slavery in this proud city that are not formally recognized. These places were once sites of slave auctions, executions, meeting places for slave traders, etc. and are not even recognized for their importance to African American history. It is important for New York City to formally recognize the existence of slavery in its past with a memorial, museum, or reparations because they need to take responsibility for their involvement in the horror that was slavery. To many, New York is known as one of the northern states that fought for the liberation slaves when that is so far from the truth. New York actually wanted to secede from the Union in support of the southern states. It is important to recognize the mistakes of the past in order to learn from them and appreciate the lessons that history can teach.
Honestly taking part in a political action did not really have an affect on me until after returning to class and reading the response of city officials to our “trail.” While on the trail to me, and I'm sure to many others, the trail had been just an ordinary school trip although more interesting than most as its topic had a direct connection to who I am. Not until our return to class, reading the negative response of city officials, and debating the various reasons why our posters and other information were not to be allowed, did the impact of what we had done truly hit me. Only after I was actually glad that I had participated in this action. I am conflicted as to whether juniors should go next year, as some of us are not as mature as others. I do not think that anyone who will not be able to fully appreciate the trip either before of after and truly take a lesson or something of the sort from the trail should be allowed to go.
Kristina - My name is Kristina and I am going to explain to you what I saw and learned on the slave site trip Mr. Pezone took my class on. What I learned was that on Wall Street there was a market for the sale and hire of enslaved Africans. Also I learned that a fire was set by black slaves who wanted freedom. Also I learned that when some whites wanted to put it out the slaves killed them and later the slaves were killed by the whites for setting the fire.
What I saw was many historic building that dealt with the slave trade and also I saw a slave burial ground as well. Why I feel it's important for NYS to notice the existence of slavery in its past by having memorials and museums is because its history and everyone should know about the past and how we have gotten o where we are today. How I felt about taking political action is really good. I felt like this was a really good and exciting field trip.
Kerri-Ann - To my upcoming seniors, who will take part in the tour of discovering history of slavery in New York. I personally didn't know that there was slavery in New York until Mr. Pezone during my 1st year of high school. I also didn't know Big Business such as Con Edison and Citibank made millions off of the slave trade.
When Mr. Pezone said we had to make posters, I thought "aww cool, a protest." Then he said we are going to hand them up at each site. This is and was my first experience and really making an attempt to change and make a difference. What I can tell you is you will enjoy this course and the events that will take place.
Finally going on the field trip I remember to get there early, first come first server because Pezone was cheap with metrocards. During the trail you see who are interested and who don't give a damn. What I saw while handing out the fliers, some Asians refused to take the paper at the mention of slavery. Some blacks looked like they were obligated to take the fliers. Lets not mention the whites. Some were glad but most refused and mumbled “I live her, so what.” Don't get me wrong people look surprised to find out that slavery took place here in their hometown.
The trip itself is a great experience for you and putting the word out to others who lack the knowledge of slavery in New York. Don't look at this as a trip to get away from school work, but a chance to make a difference and be a part of letting people know more about the history of New York.
Jonai - During our field trip downtown, I experienced and saw many interesting things. My emotions went ramped. I got a chance to be politically active. The feeling of being a part of a movement motivated me to question society and the injustices that need to be changed.
Juniors, I suggest that next year you go on the trip to experience the walk through downtown to the places where slavery heritage started. It is important for us to recognize our history and acknowledge just how far we've come. It is also imperative that we stand for what we believe, just as our forbearers did. Both black and white, yellow or red. We are people, many of us are not direct descendants of America. The history of America in its entirety should acknowledge our African American history because it's a part of the history of the United States.
The feeling of being in the exact spot where slavery rebellions took place, or standing on the burial site inspired me to say what I feel about present problems today. I appreciate what my ancestors did for me and the trip only encourages me to continue despite how long it might take to go on these trips until the sites will be recognized.
Celeste - During the African-American slavery trail trip I learned a lot. Before going on the actual trip the class had to do a lot of preparation. We had to research specific topics and then create posters informative about our topic. My poster was on the Amistad Defense Committee. This committee was made up of both African American and white people who were against slavery. These people came together and tried to free the enslaved Africans who were coming to America from the Amistad. They worked very hard but unfortunately their offices were destroyed by a pro-slavery mob. This was very interesting to me because I didn't know that people tried to help slaves from the Amistad.
The trip, on a whole, was also very informative. Before the trip, I didn't realize how many locations and businesses were directly involved in slavery as well as the slave trade. I think it is disappointing that there are no signs or monuments indicating what happened at these locations. In a way, I think it is disrespectful to the slaves who when through torture and pain. During the trip I also saw that many American citizens didn't know about the history of slavery in New York City. Many people looked surprised and shocked when they read the handouts given to them.
I think this trip should take place annually. It should be open, also not only to seniors but to juniors as well. As interest grows, more people would want to go and that will make a bigger affect on the people of Manhattan. I think that with continual effort, the city will eventually put up something to honor the slaves.
Naadira - When I attended the field trip on the African American slavery trial, I learned more about my history. My class visited 11 sites that were either used to sell slaves or execute them. Although I am African American, many of the things were very new and surprising to me. I never would have thought that a place like CitiBank was used to finance the slave trade. Also that Wall Street was a slave marked that sold and hired enslaved Africans.
Before going on the trip my class created posters that would open the eyes of New Yorkers after being hung up at every site. My group had the opportunity to rewrite the history of the African Free School, which was the first to be established in 1787. After learning this, I greatly appreciate the opportunity I have to learn in the school I'm in. I think that it is important for you and the rest of New York City to formally recognized the existence of slavery in its past. If you learn about this issue, then you can prevent it from reoccurring in the future. New York City will hopefully realize how important it is and will think twice about certain business they invest their money in or deal with.
Taking part in this political action, I felt like a young activist. During the actual tour, I really didn't feel this immediately. Now that I look at the response from others I know that I'm part of one of the steps taken to change New York City in some form. If the juniors are mature enough next year, I do think they should go on the same trip. Maybe they will learn something they didn't know. Hopefully they take it seriously and let it impact their lives.
Aissata - Friday May 26, 2006 was a historic day, because we put our history back where it belonged. We, the seniors, and certain adults went on a trip to Manhattan. The purpose of our trip was to provide the population with the truth; we believe that by informing the population they will have a higher understating of their history. We all came to school early and left for the city, I knew from the moment that I entered the bust that I was going to try my hardest and inform the population.
When we arrived in Manhattan I felt kind of uneasy because although I have been to Manhattan thousands of times never had I actually taken a trip like the one I was on at that moment. We arrived at the first site and met students from the University High School. We learned many things about each site and we hung our posters at historical markers. Additionally, we handed out flyers that explained the event that happened at those sites. While some people were happy to take the flyers others were reluctant to do so and we tried our best to explain why they should take the flyers. The fact that people were so ignorant about their own history and yet refused to know about it really amused me.
I know that sometimes standing up for a cause is hard because our society tells us that we have to abide by the way everyone else lives, however wrong that way might be. Therefore I recommend that the upcoming seniors and other underclassmen take part of this action. I understand that some of you will see the trip as a way of getting out of school but this trip is so much more than that, going on this trip will allow you to make a difference in someone's life. I know that I am dramatizing the effect of this trip but I promise you that I am not. By teaching on person about this history they will learn and understand why our society is the way it is currently.
I was not amazed by the fact that the posters that we worked so hard to accomplish were taken down, because I know that a lot of people want to keep those people that we will be there every year putting up those posters because it is our duty as human beings to educate each other. As for the people that went on the trip I would like to say thank you for having the courage to stand up for our history, and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Veronica - On Friday, May 26, a group of students and adults went on a trip, in hopes of correcting a wrong. Our main goal was to provide the citizens with information concerning slavery and New York's involvement. Not only did we hang up posters; we handed out flyers and even got a few people asking questions. A lot of you might think that a 2-mile walk is a bit much, especially in the hot, crowded streets of Manhattan. But even though most of the people are extremely rude and the vendors are high in prices, we did what we set out to do.
You can most definitely expect to learn a thing or two. Like for instance, I learned, that a sugar merchant who assisted in trading slaves founded a popular bank, which holds the interest of a lot of African Americans. This bank is commonly known as Citibank. You know how everybody wants to end up on Wall Street, but did you know that it was market for the sale of Africans and Indians? As you go about learning, you also find that you end up teaching others about these newly raised issues. Not only that, I learned that more white people were interested in the subject then black people. I noticed that, for a lack of a better word, whites were coming out of their cars and asking about what was going on, while a majority of blacks waved us off.
It's important for New York City to formally recognize the existence of slavery in its past with a memorial, plaque or anything just showing that they know what happened and show some kind of feelings for the heinous crime starting with the people of Africa. Although most might agree that the future holds no place for the past, everyone has to agree that the past does repeat in the future. The constant reminder that the City that never sleeps, the Big Apple, the land of opportunity, a place for everyone. . .New York City, was one of the biggest players in the Slave Trade.
I felt that bringing to life, something that is so wildly ignored was very invigorating. Politics is commonly known for Presidential elections, whose running mayor, but never things that are really important to the community. I think that we really got people's attention and if this goes on long enough, a change might be made. So here's your chance to make differences, literally, so I advise you to participate in next year's field trip.
Princess - Our “African American Heritage trail” trip really opened my eyes to the truth about New York City. I think our trip was more than a 2 mile walk but a way to realized events that took place in our past. Many New York citizens do not know about these events and this trip was a way to as Mr. Singer would say “put it” back because it is part of history.
During our walk we received mixed reactions some people ignored us and the papers being handed out while others were interested. I think that this protest had a major affect on everyone involved. My group did the African American Free School project this really affected me because I think about how African Americans struggled for education. I think some African American students take education for granted.
Mr. Pezone and Mr. Singer should continue this trip because it informs people about these major corporations involvement in slaver. For example City Hall, Wall Street, and the Slave Traders meeting places. The responses from Mr. Pezone's and Mr. Singer's peers were greatly appreciated, and its strengthens our protest. Our trip widened the eyes of many individuals and we should continue this trip every year because many students do not know about these chain of events that took place in New York City.
Kerry-Ann -- I learned a lot on Mr. Pezone's trip to Manhattan. Before having this class and going on this trip I was never aware of the fact that NY was a part of the slave trade. Before going on the trip we had to make posters. My poster was on the African burial ground. This was where African Americans were buried, It is also the only memorial that NY has in remembrance of the slaves. Having that memorial still doesn't fully inform people about the many different business that bought and sold slaves.
During the trip we handed out fliers. I wasn't surprised to see the reaction from people when they red the fliers and realized that NY was apart of the slave trade and also that business such as Citibank profited largely off this. The NY slave trade history has been pretty much forgotten or erased. I feel that this trip gives young people the opportunity to take part in provoking change in NY.
They have the chance to go out and educate people about the state they live in since no one else will. For the up and coming seniors who will go on this trip next year, don't just go for the sake of going. Go and take something from it. Take the pride of knowing that you have just done something of substance, something that not only educates you but educates others. Take pride in knowing that because of you hundreds may will now have the knowledge you do about slavery in NY.
Kakia - The class worked on group projects for about two weeks before we went on the field trip. Each group worked on a sight explaining the different places we were going to visit during the trip. My group worked on site three, where I learned that Moses Taylor was a sugar merchant at 55th South Street. Taylor Moses was a member on the board for Citi Bank I 1837 and Taylor also served as president.
During the field trip the set out goal was to just remind New York City that New York did take part in slavery, and as the history is erasing we wanted to just inform the people of the land marks where slavery took place. I also learned that in Manhattan they have a cemetery where slaves were buried and that was the only sight that was in honor of them all the other sights had erased history. I was also informed about Water Street where they would import the slaves was not even by Water Street the water was pushed back over the years and now they have office buildings there.
I firmly feel that it is important to know your history, and especially the history of your city. I feel it is important to honor the slaves who have endured all the hard labor, who were beaten and scorn. What they went through was absolutely unfair treatment. I felt good taking part in something that I knew would educate me for my future and for many years to come it was a very informative trip about things I never knew about slavery. I felt like I was doing something to help honor the slaves who deserver every right to be honored.
I believe the juniors should take part in it next year because not only is it educating them about our history, but it is also making a statement, because it was done two years in a row, which lets the city know that we are serious about the slave sites being honored and we want change.
Jennifer Caroccio - When you take a trip over the Brooklyn bridge to that oh so magical borough of Manhattan, you think of Broadway plays, steamy night life and thriving cultural land of vibrant sights and sounds. You don't think of Manhattan as a place that was dim and dreadful, where thousands of people were herded off ships and sold and market next to bread and chickens. Yes Manhattan and other northern US states were involved in the slave trade, the south was notorious for slavery but the northern states also partook in this very disgusting act.
Unfortunately you won't find this information about this part of New York's past in most any museums or a nice little placer displayed at the base of water and Wall Street showing this was once the hot spot for the newest slaves coming in from Africa and the Caribbean. You will see where Chris Rock once at or the birth place of Theodore Roosevelt. On our trip to lower Manhattan we visited sites where slaves were sold, speciousness of slave revolts lead to the hanging beating and starvation of oppressed blacks and where slave traders meet at their favorite restaurant “Sweets.” No, they want that history of New York to be kept secret. On our trip to lower Manhattan we put back some of those pieces of history that the powers that be rather stay hidden. I believe that it was important for us to know our history and all of it, not just the pleasant parts. You can never really know who you are if you don't know where you came from. It was a very eye opening experience, protesting on the street of Manhattan. It gives you a sense of purpose that you are actually accomplishing something rather than sitting around at home. I enjoyed the trip very much, it was a chance for me to do something, start a change. I was apart of something that will eventually put back that unsaid part of New York's history which is my history. Juniors should definitely go on the trip for next year so they can be part of that change as well as getting a chance to learn about history that has almost been lost.
Patricia - On May 26, we took a trip to Manhattan to visit the slave sites and hung up posters at each site in which we covered about 2 miles by walking. But before the actual trip we had a lot of preparation. We created two posters for each site. On that trip I saw for myself how ignorant and insensitive people can actually be but on the other hand I saw how gracefully come people took the flyer from my classmates and I and were willing to learn about slavery.
I think the trip should be annually until New York City recognizes that slavery existed in its past with some sort of museum, reparations, or memorial. Taking part of this political action made me feel privileged and honored because Professor Singer and Pezone were leading the walk. Although I wasn't in a happy mood for most of the trip I still saw and learned a lot. I think that the juniors should go on this same trip next year because they'll learn a lot, visit interesting places, and most of all see how far we've come from slavery.
Christina - During my senior year at our school my class, as well as other guests, partook on a trail. This trail consisted of sites in which led back to the beginning of slavery in our very state, New York. Some of the sites were Hughson's Tavern, Citi Bank, Wall Street, as well as many other revered places. Places that you would think slaver never even happened there. No on says it better than Professor Alan Singer, “They have erased history, we're putting it back.” While visiting the sites people were receptive to the information we had to show. It was very productive in letting the public know of the past history.
I think it is important for New York City to formally recognize the existence of slavery at some locations and not others. I say this because at some places we were told of he the meetings of the places in which the slaves were bought and sold. Some places were where rebellions took place. We have to distinguish which of these are significant to our history. We should remember with memorials and remembrance.
I felt it was a very good experience in giving back something to your own community. I also feel that much needs to be done, so the gov't can take action as well as people who are responsible for their wrong doings. It's a good thing to do for a good cause. Everyone should be more outgoing and open-minded to support their cause.
You guys should definitely go on this field trip because of the historical facts. Also it shows unity of students and ability to change. It will also create a memory of your high school years, inputting on your society. You shouldn't go if you don't care about the history of your own land and people. Those are the people we fight against.
Sherrida - While attending the African Heritage slave trade trip I learned a lot. I learned about all of the location were they bought and sold off slaves. I learned that the effectiveness of a group of kids on a whole city could be so drastic. The trip was very enlightening and informative. I enjoyed walking around to the different sites. People who read the posters took them down and said our actions were illegal. Even though this made me feel like all my work was in vain. I know that we were getting the message across because they took the time out of their so called busy day to take them down. It's just like anything else. When you try to inform the people of wrongdoing you're criticized and made to seem bad or seem like you're doing something wrong.
I think you group of juniors should come on the trip so that you can learn something new and become informed about your culture and how we were effected as a people by slavery.
Stacey- When Mr. Pezone first proposed the trip idea to our class, many of us were a bit skeptical. I know that personally, I wasn't willing to get involved with a conflict that had been resolved years ago but after Mr. Pezone clarified that we were going to try to do something to make a difference I warmed up to the idea.
While on the trip I was surprised by the amount of people who seemed to actually be interested in what we were doing. I went on the trip with the idea that we were going to be ignored and met with resistance but instead we were supported. In the beginning, I didn't think that this trip was that important but while I was there, I realized that what we were doing could inspire a change. After looking at the way that New York City is planning to build an elaborate memorial to the people who died on 9/11, I can't help but to think that it seems wrong to honor them and not the slaves who practically built our city.
Next year, when you are seniors, I think that this would be a great trip to go on. Not only will you get to see a part of the city that you don't usually see everyday, but it is also a great way to get politically involved, I think that if we work diligently towards this cause, we can make a difference. It's only a matter of time.
Osele - Like my peer, I was amazed and disgusted about slavery in New York. Disgusted on the fact that our founding fathers and financial stability was founded largely upon the slave trade. It amazes me how there are not memorials to represent the struggle of African American slaves.
It also amazes me how people what to criticize and companies want to take our representations of a memorial down. Why would they do that? Is it wrong to educate the people, the youths of New York that is so dearly beloved from others across the world? I felt that when they took down the posters it would still be a continuous struggle to re-erase history.
When we first arrived in Manhattan we met with a Bronx high school. As I saw their faces most of them were Hispanic. This made me realize that we are all apart of the same struggle. Injustice has no color. Learning that in slavery times, whites fought aside to seek equality and they themselves sacrificed their lives.
At one point of the trip, while handing out fliers, one of the boys from the Bronx high school handed a Caucasian woman, who looked about in their 20's. She took one look at the flier and when over to the garbage and stated “that was so long ago. . .get over it” and threw it away. It outraged me that her ignorance go the best of her but it wasn't her fault. This history has been so well kept hidden that she failed to realize that it ever existed.
Personally I became emotional, especially at the African burial ground. If that wasn't discovered it would've made it 10 times harder for New Yorkers to understand that “It happened here.” Also another event that took place was a police officer at the site of the African burial ground told us that if we placed out our posters on that site he would tear it down. I took a look at him and his persona told me he was cocky and full of himself. Luckily William Palloma, a retired lawyer, gathered the students around in front of the officer and told us our rights. In that moment I had a taste of my speech being violated, and I would make sure it is not my last because this will be and is a constant struggle.
Lacey - I saw many different parts in Manhattan, that I would never imagine had anything to do with slavery. In the text books, the image of New York is the complete opposite. Many stories are told how southern slaves ran to the north to be freed. And to find out that African Americans in the North were still in slaver change my view.
I believe it's very important for this generation and future generations to know about their history. It's as if they simply used an eraser, Mr. Singer told us. The youth has to know about their past so they can have a brighter future stated Jonai Heyliger. Every individual that went on the trip learned something. The Big Dollars companies don't want the negative views of their company to be exposed. If these negative views of companies such as , Citi Bank was ever to be exposed their funds will gradually decrease and their good image would no longer exist. The Big Buck companies may state, we are trying to slander their names and their companies but sometimes the truth hurts.
Many famous leaders have made a huge impact and these famous leaders started out with a small group of followers.. And ended up making a huge difference. These leaders include Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Gandhi to name a few. If we work together and do as Mr. Singer and Mr. Pezone stated by going out to Manhattan every year to get our point across. For juniors this would be a good experience and seniors if its possible you should return to Jackson to assist Mr. Pezone and Mr. Singer to get our point across. This way we have a greater chance of making a difference and letting the slaves story be told.
Shiyanne - During the trip of downtown New York City I learned the truth of our precious city's hidden past. Although the buildings, stores, or streets have changed; the places in which exist today are still and should continue to be reminded of their shortcomings. I also learned that the more “noise” you make about a controversial topic, the more people will change which could spur a change.
I think it is important to put permanent fixtures or monuments in the places of where slaver was prominent to teach people. Like a classmate said you cannot change something you know nothing about. These markers could also enlighten those who rush to join our fight, and maybe they will be inspired to embark on their own personal change. I felt proud to be involved in this African American slave trail. It gave me ideas that it can take a few people to gather a colony which results in change.
The upcoming seniors should most definitely consider taking part in this field trip because it will teach them of “power in numbers.” It will teach them just like it taught this years seniors that slavery is still just as important as it was for hundred years ago. All people who feel that black history deserves more than a month should really consider marching to change.
