The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

Not too long ago, National Geographic contacted me to have me a couple of books they recently published. As I read the book, it immediately took me Virginia in the spring of 1775 where then Lord Dunmore was about to issue his own Emancipation Proclamation. His proposal? Give African slaves their freedom provided that they took sides with the British and fought against the incoming Patriot army. According to the author, what started out as small group of 300 takers on his offer blossomed into a number exceeding 20,000 slaves who were ready to fight for freedom, regardless who side was offering it.

Author Margaret Whitman Blair does a good job laying out the groundwork for young people to gain yet another piece of our fractured history that oftentimes is left out of our school books. This book also covers how Blacks also fought valiantly for America as well.

What I took away from this book is something a little bit deeper than its intended audience (10 on up). It reminded me that even in the early stages of American history, Black equality was a powerful tool in the end game of politics.

This book also comes with a resource guide page pointing readers to other books, websites, etc. to further their knowledge in this very important time in our history.