African American History - The Real Truth

Many young African Americans today are ignorant of their own history. In fact learning and understanding African American History is essential for the African youth to understand just a little more about themselves. The history of African Americans is indeed a profound story of a struggle from enslavement to a long desired freedom.

What exactly is the truth about slavery and whose truth do we believe? The majority of records on African American history and the slave trade were written by Europeans of the slave trade era and they are slanted to make the slave trade look humane. In reality it was one of the most heinous acts in history which resulted in the total suppression of African culture and African art. The real truth of the many heroes of the slave trade, those men and women who rebelled the atrocities and inhumane treatment were passed from generation to generation by mouth.

However it was not just African American slaves who suffered, even their brothers and sisters in the Caribbean were abused in the worst possible way. But this abuse and punishment started from the moment they boarded the slave ships where they were herded like sheep below deck in sweltering heat and filthy conditions. Widespread African poverty on the dark continent facilitated this act. The journey which lasted months saw many died en route and thrown overboard. Those who survived were made presentable and sold to the highest bidder and then the inhumane treatment continued on the farms where they were placed.

By the far the greatest abuse perpetrated upon the peoples of African descent via the slave trade was not physical but mental and hence the reason why the present generation of African Americans needs to understand their history. Their ancestors were forced to give up their religious beliefs and pray to the western gods. Their culture ranging from African musical instruments and African food was utterly suppressed beyond recognition. They were forced to adopt western names and modes of dress, it was a complete and utter transformation of a people that should never have occurred.

Learning about African American history comes not only from the books and encyclopedias on the school syllabus and in libraries around the world. In fact the real facts about African American history come from those who have stories to be recounted and which have been passed from generation to generation.